Metrolinx Aims to Begin Eglinton Crosstown LRT Service Demonstration This Week
Metrolinx has expressed its ambition to kick off the 30-day revenue service demonstration for the Eglinton Crosstown LRT this week, marking a significant milestone in the launch of this highly anticipated transit line.
The transit agency, alongside provincial transportation officials, have set their sights on opening the LRT, now in its 14th year of construction and commissioning, sometime in October.
The upcoming revenue demonstration service period will serve as a crucial test to ensure that the system is functioning according to design specifications and is capable of accommodating passengers.
While the exact date in October for the Eglinton Crosstown’s debut remains uncertain, efforts are underway to address identified issues. Metrolinx CEO Michael Lindsay highlighted occasional challenges with HVAC and communications systems, as well as premature wear on braking systems, prompting thorough investigations by maintenance crews to pinpoint underlying causes.
Operational oversight of the 19-kilometre, 25-station Eglinton Crosstown line was transferred to the TTC in June, with the TTC emphasizing that the decision on the opening date ultimately rests with Metrolinx. Close collaboration between TTC staff and Metrolinx is ongoing to ensure readiness for the line’s launch.
Originally slated for a 2020 opening, the Eglinton Crosstown project, initiated under the previous Ontario Liberal government and different Metrolinx leadership, has faced delays attributed to a range of factors, including legal challenges, construction obstacles, testing issues, and setbacks related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Keyphrase: Eglinton Crosstown LRT