Latest news with #EglintonAvenue
CTV News
5 days ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
What could be behind the collisions involving Eglinton Crosstown LRT trains
Emergency crews are on the scene of a collision between a taxi cab and an LRT train on Eglinton Avenue and Swift Drive. Eglinton Crosstown LRT trains have been running as part of extensive testing. Within five days, the trains were involved in two separate crashes in Scarborough, including one that left a pedestrian seriously injured. 'They're just coming infrequently enough that a lot of people think it will be fine,' Alexander Guler, who works near the LRT, said on Thursday. 'And then they're in the wrong place at the wrong time.' On Saturday, Toronto police said a 64-year-old woman was crossing Eglinton near Pharmacy Avenue, went on the transit platform and was struck by an LRT train. Eglinton Crosstown LRT collision Police and transit officers are on the scene of a collision involving an Eglinton Crosstown LRT vehicle. (Melissa Duggan/CP24) The woman suffered life-threatening injuries. Police said they were told the driver honked the horn and slowed. On Wednesday afternoon, a train collided with a car at the corner of Swift Drive. No injuries were reported in the incident. It's not clear what caused the crash, but people living nearby told CTV News Toronto some drivers are ignoring signage preventing them from going left or straight through the intersection. Eglinton Crosstown LRT An Eglinton Crosstown LRT vehicle is stopped in the middle of a North York intersection following a collision on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (Chopper 24) Others question the train signals functioning with traffic lights as if the system is fully open. 'The train lights are set up so that the lights are going with the direction when the train starts, but the train isn't even running yet, so people just kinda get confused if they are stopping, if they're going, if they're turning,' said Brittany O'Hearn, who lives and works nearby. Swift Drive intersection The intersection of Eglinton Avenue East and Swift Drive is seen on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (Beth Macdonell/CTV News) Metrolinx said in a statement to CTV News Toronto that since 2022, it has been wrapping 45 LRT vehicles with safety messages and leading community education initiatives, in addition to putting up signage during construction advising people to use designated crosswalks. 'Safety has always been a top priority throughout the design, construction and testing of this project. As with LRTs in other jurisdictions, there are crossing signals and signage along the line, as well as audible safety cues, like gong signals and horns, to alert pedestrians and other vehicles,' Metrolinx said. Metrolinx signs Signs and advertisements educating motorists and pedestrians about the ongoing Crosstown LRT testing. (Metrolinx) That message about using crosswalks was reinforced by police on the weekend after the woman was hit. Metrolinx said the two crashes are not related and any findings from police investigations will be carefully reviewed. The Eglinton Crosstown was slated to open in 2020 but has faced numerous delays. Officials have most recently cited a possible opening date for the line in either September or later this fall.
CTV News
7 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Black-owned business owners in Little Jamaica seek supports after dozens of stores close during LRT construction
Dozens of Black-owned businesses have closed in Little Jamaica since the start of the Eglinton LRT construction 15 years ago, and it's time governments step up to support local shops, owners say. Traffic lanes are open and new wide sidewalks are ready for foot traffic to return, but it's not business as usual. This week is Rastafest on Eglinton Avenue West and organizers believe it's an ideal time to welcome many back to the neighbourhood. They want people to know even though the LRT isn't open, the construction has ended. 'No joke we have really good food down here, and you will not be disappointed,' said Kingston 12 owner Gordon Gennetho, who is taking advantage of the new sidewalk to cook delicious jerk chicken and specializes in Jamaican dishes. Since LRT construction began about 30 black-owned businesses between Marlee and Keele streets have closed. 'Literally the sidewalk was closed, 100 per cent closed, you couldn't get around, especially there was lots of dust so you couldn't even open the doors for the customers to come in,' Gennetho said. Gordon Gennetho, owner Kingston 12 Gordon Gennetho is the owner of Kingston 12 in Toronto's Little jamaica neighbourhood. Down the street, Maxwell Blackwood has been doing business in the area for 40 years. 'This LRT devastated actually this community and what is so troublesome about it, it just looks like they don't care,' said Blackwood, who owns Black Diamond Gallery and Art. 'Anyone can delay something but when they behave like nothing is happening, that's really troubling.' He and other black owned businesses are calling on all levels of government to support this historically and culturally rich area with Caribbean roots so that it remains vibrant. They say developers have moved in, buying up buildings, which is driving up rents. 'A lot of incentives are going to the developers who are building the condos, but not the business owners. The business owners need financial incentives so we can stay afloat, pay our rent, survive as business owners,' Masani Montague, owner of the production company Studio M and Rastafest, told CTV News Toronto. In an email to CTV News Toronto, Metrolinx said roads in the area of Little Jamaica were opened up in summer 2023. 'We understand that construction can be challenging for local businesses. To support businesses during construction, we created a Community Benefits and Supports program. To date, this program has provided $171.2 million to local businesses and social enterprises,' the provincial transportation agency said it also worked with local businesses to provide supports through three City-led programs and formed a Construction Liaison Committee in the area. 'We are thankful to local businesses for their patience during construction. Metrolinx will continue to support local BIAs and businesses and the LRT will bring thousands of people into communities across midtown, providing significant positive benefits to local businesses,' it added. Rastafest, meanwhile, will be running through the weekend in the community. Organizers say in addition to sales, activities, and a street market, attendees can expect lots of food and entertainment. It's an opportunity show off the people, the tastes, and the culture in Little Jamaica, they say.
CTV News
09-08-2025
- CTV News
64-year-old woman seriously injured after being struck by LRT in Scarborough
A woman has been seriously injured after being struck by an Eglinton Crosstown LRT vehicle in Scarborough on Saturday afternoon. A 64-year-old woman is in life-threatening condition after being struck by an Eglinton Crosstown LRT vehicle during testing in Scarborough on Saturday afternoon. It happened on the raised platform along the centre of Eglinton Avenue East, west of Pharmacy Avenue. Police said the call came in just before 1 p.m. Acting Insp. Brian Maslowski told reporters that the woman was standing on the platform when, for some unknown reason, she crossed the path of the westbound LRT vehicle that was conducting tests. Paramedics initially told CP24 the woman was rushed to a trauma centre with serious, possibly life-threatening injuries. LRT collision Police are on the scene of a collision involving an Eglinton Crosstown LRT vehicle in Scarborough on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (CP24) Maslowski said police were told the driver of the LRT tried his 'best to warn this pedestrian, but unfortunately it did not end well.' He added that initial information suggests the driver honked the horn and slowed the train. 'We're looking at everything,' Maslowski said when asked if speed was a factor. 'It's far too early to tell. All the data is going to be gathered up.' Maslowski said traffic investigators are currently gathering evidence, including video from the LRT and nearby businesses, to determine what transpired. He urged pedestrians, especially those along the LRT line, to cross the street at designated areas. 'Also at any time, please be aware of your surroundings. And many times, mostly always, it's good to limit any distractions such as your phone or whatnot,' Maslowski said. Crosstown LRT collision Police are on the scene of a collision involving an LRT vehicle on Eglinton Avenue East on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (Melissa Duggan/CP24) In a statement, the TTC said the incident occurred during LRT train testing. 'Our thoughts are with the individual who was injured, and we are hoping for their full recovery. As this matter is under investigation, we would refer you to Toronto Police Services for further details,' the transit agency said. Meanwhile, Metrolinx, in a statement, said it is working with TTC and emergency services to investigate the details of the incident.
CTV News
05-07-2025
- CTV News
Man rushed to hospital after late-night Scarborough stabbing
A Toronto police officer's uniform is seen during a press conference in Toronto on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston Toronto police say a man in his 20s was rushed to hospital after allegedly being stabbed in Scarborough late Friday night. In a post to social media, officials say officers were called to the area of Eglinton Avenue and Brimley Road at around 11:45 p.m. for reports of a stabbing. Police say the victim was transported to hospital via emergency run with injuries that are considered non-life threatening. No suspect information has been released but police are asking anyone with information to contact them at 416-808-2222.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Yahoo
Toronto police identify man killed in apparent murder-suicide in Scarborough
Toronto police have identified a 62-year-old man killed in an apparent murder-suicide in Scarborough. David Foote, 62, of Toronto, was the victim of homicide, police said in a news release on Friday. His body was found along with that of a 67-year-old man in a house near Birchmount Road and Chelwood Drive, south of Eglinton Avenue E., on Wednesday. Police said in the release that the 67-year-old man is now believed to be responsible for killing Foote. According to police, officers were called to the home for a well-being check at about 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Police said concerned family members called police to ask them to check on the men, both of whom lived in the home. When officers arrived, they found the two men with "obvious signs of trauma." Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Foote is the city's 18th homicide victim of the year.
