Eglinton Crosstown LRT 14th year

Eglinton Crosstown LRT 14th year

Fourteen years have passed since the groundbreaking ceremony for Toronto's Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit (LRT) on 9 November 2011. The project was supposed to open in 2020, but delays have pushed that date further and further away.

In 2011, Toronto was a different place. Rob Ford had recently become mayor, taking office in December 2010. Social media was still growing; Instagram was just a year old and Twitter was finding its feet. The iPhone 4S was Apple's latest release, introducing Siri to the world. Netflix had only launched its streaming service in Canada the previous year.

The Eglinton Crosstown LRT was envisioned to ease traffic congestion and improve public transit across the city. Stretching 19 kilometres, it promised to connect communities from Mount Dennis in the west to Kennedy Station in the east. The initial budget was set at $9.1 billion, but by 2022, the cost had risen to at least $12.8 billion.

Despite the project's importance, information about its progress has been hard to come by. Metrolinx, the provincial agency in charge, has been reluctant to share details. Requests for updates and lists of ongoing issues have been denied. The agency cites concerns about economic damage and safety risks as reasons for withholding information.

Local officials are growing increasingly frustrated. Councillors Josh Matlow and Mike Colle, who represent areas affected by the construction, have called for a public inquiry. They argue that residents and businesses deserve to know what's causing the delays. The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113, representing thousands of transit workers, supports this call for transparency.

The prolonged construction has had a noticeable impact on the community. Businesses along Eglinton Avenue have faced challenges, with some closing their doors due to reduced foot traffic and ongoing disruption. Drivers have had to deal with detours and increased congestion due to frequent lane closures and detours. Residents have endured years of noise, dust and blocked streets.

The city watches and waits as the Eglinton Crosstown LRT enters its 14th year of construction. The project highlights the complexities of large-scale infrastructure development and the need for clear communication. Torontonians hope the end is in sight and that the lessons learned will benefit future transit initiatives.

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