Eglinton Crosstown LRT opening date 'very close,' says Toronto city manager
Paul Johnson told CBC Radio's Metro Morning on Tuesday that he's "blindly optimistic" that the long-delayed light rail transit will open soon.
"It is very, very close. These are the last stages of really testing it," he said.
The 25-stop 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. Construction on the line began in 2011.
The transit line will open when it's "safe and operationally sound to do so" and testing has been going well, Johnson said on Tuesday.
"It's going to open soon. Everybody's working towards that, and I know people want to know the actual date. The only thing holding back the date is, we also don't want this to be unreliable and be a very poor service when it goes in," said Johnson.
He said staff have been running tests to make sure all trains have what they need to run daily. They are also checking the route timings and if all systems are working properly.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said last month that the Eglinton Crosstown LRT line was on track to open this September.
September opening 'is a reach,' TTC interim CEO says
At last week's TTC board meeting, outgoing TTC interim CEO Greg Percy was asked if the transit line was on track to open in September.
"We're looking at still this fall to get something happening," answered Percy. "I think September is a reach, but this fall is plausible and certainly by year-end."
WATCH | Percy talks about September opening date:
TTC took control of the Eglinton Crosstown from Metrolinxlast month. Metrolinx CEO Michael Lindsay said at the time that the system and vehicles were being "relentlessly" stress tested.
Percy said at Thursday's board meeting that the decision on the opening date still falls to Metrolinx. He said safety and customer experience are key issues, and that the TTC won't open it until "it is satisfying both."
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Hamilton Spectator
2 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Premiers praise Carney and one another as they wrap up meetings in Ontario
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Hamilton Spectator
7 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
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Hamilton Spectator
8 hours ago
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