Ontario Begins Construction Of Last Tunnel Segment Of The Eglinton Crosstown West Extension
Written by David C. Lester, Editor-in-Chief
Metrolinx
TORONTO –– RT&S has reported on progress along the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension in Ontario for the past couple of years. This week, Ontario began construction of the last tunnel segment on this line.
This 5.6-mile line will provide service to seven additional stations and provide transit access to over 37,500 people.
The government said the West Extension will create nearly 5,000 jobs, including heavy equipment and crane operators, along with engineers and construction workers.
Ontario’s Minister of Transportation, Prabmeet Sarkaria said “Premier Ford and our government have a plan to tackle gridlock and shorten commutes for drivers and public transit users in the Greater Ontario Area. As President Trump’s tariffs continue to threaten Ontario workers and our economy, it has never been more important to invest in transportation infrastructure. We will do whatever it takes to protect Ontario jobs and build for the future.”
In June 2024, RT&S reported that Ontario had completed the tunneling of the western underground portion of the extension. This tunnel runs from Renforth Drive to Scarlett Road. The remaining eastern portion of tunnel construction (500-meter twin tunnels) will use the sequential excavation method, with daily progress of between 3.3 and 6.6 feet.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said that “Better public transit means Torontonians can get to work, school, and appointments faster. The Eglinton Crosstown West Extension will make life easier for residents of Etobicoke, York and Midtown Toronto –– meaning thousands of people will enjoy faster commutes. The city’s strong partnership working together with the province is building more transit for the people of Toronto.”
Over the next decade, Ontario plans to invest approximately $50 billion in public transit. Projects include the Eglinton Extension, Ontario Line, the Yonge North Subway Extension and the Scarborough Subway Extension.
Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure, Kinga Surma, said “[This week’s] milestone on the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension highlights the incredible progress our government is making to build transit infrastructure, reduce gridlock, and expand access to rapid transit across the GTA. By investing in the largest transit expansion in Canadian history, our government is protecting Ontario’s economic resiliency and building a robust transit system that will connect the suburbs to downtown Toronto, getting more people and goods to their destinations safely and on time.”
Metrolinx Interim President and CEO Michael Lindsay said “It’s exciting to se so much progress being made on the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, which will extend Line 5 Eglinton by another 5.72 miles, ulimately creating a rapid transit line that will run from Mississauga all the way to Scarborough, bringing thousands of people closer to transit.”
Further Reading from RT&S
Video
If you have five minutes to spare, here is a worthwhile time-lapse video of a ride on part of the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail System.
