After years of delays and mounting frustration among Toronto commuters, the TTC has finally begun taking control of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, marking a significant milestone in the project’s troubled history. The transit commission confirmed Thursday that it has started running trains along segments of the 19-kilometer line, signaling the first tangible steps toward eventual public service.
“This represents the beginning of the final phase before we can welcome passengers,” said TTC CEO Rick Leary during yesterday’s operational briefing. “Our teams are now actively testing systems, training operators, and gradually assuming responsibility for different sections of the line.”
The development comes after numerous postponements that have pushed the project nearly four years beyond its original completion date. Initially slated to open in 2020, the Crosstown has faced construction challenges, contractual disputes, and most recently, significant safety concerns that required remediation.
Sources within Metrolinx confirm that while this handover process has begun, it will proceed in carefully managed stages. The transit agency is implementing a zone-by-zone approach, with the TTC gradually assuming control of different segments only after rigorous testing protocols are completed.
“We’re not cutting corners at this stage,” explained Maria Santos, senior infrastructure analyst at the University of Toronto’s Transportation Research Institute. “The complexity of integrating the line’s signaling systems, power infrastructure, and station facilities requires methodical verification before passenger service can begin.”
The $12.5 billion project—originally budgeted at $5.3 billion—represents Ontario’s largest transit infrastructure investment in decades. The line will connect Kennedy Station in Scarborough to Mount Dennis in the west, with 25 stations along Eglinton Avenue, including 15 underground stops.
For businesses along Eglinton Avenue that have endured years of construction disruption, the news offers a glimmer of hope. The Eglinton Business Improvement Area reports that over 140 small businesses have permanently closed since construction began in 2011.
“It’s been devastating watching our members struggle through endless construction,” said Alia Hassan, spokesperson for the Eglinton BIA. “While we’re cautiously optimistic about this development, many business owners won’t celebrate until they see actual passengers emerging from those stations.”
The TTC has indicated that operator training has intensified, with crews now conducting regular test runs under various conditions to ensure preparedness for eventual service. Meanwhile, technical teams are evaluating the line’s automated systems, platform screen doors, and emergency response protocols.
Provincial Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney emphasized the significance of this transition phase during yesterday’s legislative session. “The handover process demonstrates our commitment to delivering this transformative project to Toronto commuters. While we understand the frustration around delays, our priority remains ensuring the system meets the highest safety standards.”
Critics, however, point to the continued absence of a firm opening date as reason for skepticism. Transit advocate and former city planner Roger Chen noted that similar handover processes for other LRT projects typically precede public opening by three to six months.
“Toronto residents have heard promising updates before, only to face further disappointments,” Chen said. “The real test will be whether Metrolinx and the TTC can maintain transparency about any additional issues discovered during this final phase.”
As testing continues, attention now turns to how the line will integrate with existing TTC services and whether it will deliver the promised reduction in commute times. Projections suggest the Crosstown could cut east-west travel times by up to 60 percent compared to existing bus routes.
As Toronto’s transit landscape stands poised for this significant evolution, the question remains: will this long-awaited addition to the city’s transit network finally deliver the transformation promised to commuters who have endured years of construction chaos and repeated delays?
