Latest news with #Metrolinx
CBC
3 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
Ford says Eglinton Crosstown LRT still on track to open in September 2025
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the Eglinton Crosstown light rail transit line is still on track to open this September. "Yes, that is what I am hearing," Ford told reporters on Tuesday at Queen's Park. He did not provide an exact date. The premier said he is hopeful that the Ontario government will hand over control of the Eglinton Crosstown to the Toronto Transit Commission in the next two weeks. "I am hearing some positive things about Eglinton track, and hopefully we will be handing it over in the next couple weeks to the TTC and they will be doing their trial runs. And thank God, that is all I got to say about that and that project." TTC spokesperson Stuart Green said the transit agency has no comment. "We have no updates at this time," he said in an email on Tuesday. CBC Toronto has reached out to Metrolinx but has not yet heard back. Former Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster previously said the transit agency would announce an opening date for the crosstown three months ahead of time. 'We'll believe it when we see it': NDP Ontario MPP Doly Begum, who represents Scarborough Southwest, said she was skeptical of the September opening date and noted the premier did not provide an exact date. "We'll believe it when we see it," Begum, who is the NDP's transit critic, said in a news release on Tuesday. "The people of Ontario are tired of getting their hopes up only for another delay, another excuse. The very least the Government can do is give them real answers about when they can finally ride the LRT," Begum said. The transit line, which has been beset by delays, is slated to have 25 stops along Eglinton Avenue, running 19 kilometres from Kennedy in the east to Mount Dennis in the west. According to Metrolinx, the provincial transit agency, the line was initially set to open in 2020, but a series of technical problems and associated cost overruns have plagued the project and repeatedly delayed its completion. Two Toronto city councillors, Josh Matlow and Mike Colle, whose wards have been impacted by the ongoing construction, have called for a public inquiry into the much-delayed line. Construction began in 2011, when the province estimated it would cost about $9.1 billion to build and maintain the crosstown. Documents obtained by CBC Toronto in 2022 showed the project costs had jumped to at least $12.8 billion.
Global News
7 hours ago
- General
- Global News
Eglinton Crosstown LRT on track to open by September, Ford says
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he expects Metrolinx and the consortium building Eglinton Crosstown LRT to hand the years-delayed transit line over to Toronto's transit agency in a matter of weeks. Ford made the comments at an unrelated event on Tuesday, where he said the Eglinton LRT was on track to open by September and that final, full-service practice runs would begin in weeks. 'Yes, that's what I'm hearing. I'm hearing some positive things about the Eglinton track and hopefully we'll be handing it over in the next couple of weeks to the TTC,' Ford said. 'They'll be doing their trial runs — and thank God. That's all I've got to say about that project.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The premier had been asked by reporters if the route would be open to the public by September. Story continues below advertisement Metrolinx, the provincial transit agency tasked with overseeing the LRT's construction, did not respond to questions about the opening date. The TTC also said it did not have 'any updated timelines as yet.' The Eglinton LRT has been plagued by delays and lawsuits in recent years, leading to the eventual removal of any opening date. In 2023, after several delays, Metrolinx said it would not announce an opening date for the project until three months before trains were due to start running. The construction group building the line has also lodged lawsuits against Metrolinx, claiming various issues and — at one point — saying they had been 'hamstrung' in their ability to finish the project by demands from the TTC. Previous Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster also regularly complained about software issues with the signalling and control systems installed for the trains. Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles said she would wait until the line opened to celebrate the milestone. 'I'll believe it when I see it,' she said. 'Maybe (the premier) would like to go for a ride with me. 'We've been waiting a long time for that, I think we've been waiting, what, 13 years? It's been a disaster, but I'll believe it when I see it.'
CTV News
8 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Eglinton LRT on track to open as soon as September, Doug Ford says
"Out of Service" signs are shown on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT in Toronto on Friday, May 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn Premier Doug Ford says that he expects that the long-delayed Eglinton Crosstown LRT could be open as soon as September, with plans to hand the line over to the TTC for final testing 'in the next couple of weeks.' Ford made the comment to reporters at Queen's Park on Tuesday after he was asked about the rumored September timeline. City Coun. Josh Matlow told CP24 back in April that he believed the LRT would open by September, though Metrolinx has never confirmed the timeline. 'Yes, that is what I am hearing,' Ford said of the September target date on Tuesday. 'I am hearing some positive things about Eglinton track and hopefully we will be handing it over in the next couple weeks to the TTC and they will be doing their trial runs. Thank God, that is all I can say about that and that project.' Construction on the Eglinton Crosstown began in 2011 and was initially slated to be completed in 2020 but it has been plagued by numerous delays and is now at least $1 billion overbudget. Metrolinx has previously said that the public would be given a three-month notice before the line opens and that the company was pushing towards a 2025 opening date. The LRT spans a 19-kilometre route from Mount Dennis in the west to Kennedy Road in the east. Driver training has been ongoing on the route since last September. 'I will have to get back to you on the exact date but I understand it will be handed over to the TTC in the next couple weeks,' Ford said Tuesday.
CTV News
9 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Eglinton LRT on track to open by September, Doug Ford says
"Out of Service" signs are shown on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT in Toronto on Friday, May 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn Premier Doug Ford says that he expects that the long-delayed Eglinton Crosstown LRT could be open as soon as September, with plans to hand the line over to the TTC for final testing 'in the next couple of weeks.' Ford made the comment to reporters at Queen's Park on Tuesday after he was asked about the rumored September timeline. City Coun. Josh Matlow told CP24 back in April that he believed the LRT would open by September, though Metrolinx has never confirmed the timeline. 'Yes, that is what I am hearing,' Ford said of the September target date on Tuesday. 'I am hearing some positive things about Eglinton track and hopefully we will be handing it over in the next couple weeks to the TTC and they will be doing their trial runs. Thank God, that is all I can say about that and that project.' Construction on the Eglinton Crosstown began in 2011 and was initially slated to be completed in 2020 but it has been plagued by numerous delays and is now at least $1 billion overbudget. Metrolinx has previously said that the public would be given a three-month notice before the line opens and that the company was pushing towards a 2025 opening date. The LRT spans a 19-kilometre route from Mount Dennis in the west to Kennedy Road in the east. Driver training has been ongoing on the route since last September. 'I will have to get back to you on the exact date but I understand it will be handed over to the TTC in the next couple weeks,' Ford said Tuesday.
CTV News
a day ago
- General
- CTV News
1 dead following industrial accident at Metrolinx rail yard in Mississauga
An investigation is underway aftre one person died following an industrial accident at a Metrolinx rail maintenance yard in Mississauga. One person has died following a workplace incident at a Metrolinx rail maintenance yard in Mississauga on Monday. The provincial transportation agency said the industrial accident happened at 6211 Goreway Dr., near Zahavy Way, just west off Highway 427. Paramedics said they responded to a call at that rail yard, but did not transport any patients to the hospital. Metrolinx rail yard Mississauga fatality June 2 An investigation is underway aftre one person died following an industrial accident at a Metrolinx rail maintenance yard in Mississauga. 'Our thoughts are with the individual and their loved ones during this difficult time,' Metrolinx said in a statement provided to CTV News Toronto.' 'As this matter is currently under investigation by Police and the Ministry of Labour, we are not able to comment further.' The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development said it was notified of the incident and has assigned an inspector to investigate.
