Excavation Underway on Four Stations for Eglinton Crosstown West Extension

TORONTO — Major excavation is now underway on four stations for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, marking another milestone in the province’s plan to protect Ontario by building fast, reliable and affordable public transit. With construction underway along the line, supporting 4,600 good-paying jobs annually, the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension will help reduce gridlock and connect nearly 70,000 commuters to jobs across the Greater Toronto Area.

“As the Greater Toronto Area continues to grow, our government is making historic investments in the largest public transit expansion in North America to support commuters, fight gridlock and protect workers,” said Premier Doug Ford. “The Eglinton Crosstown West Extension will link transit riders in Etobicoke and Mississauga to transit options across the region, cutting travel times and connecting workers and families to good jobs, vital services and more.”

Crews are starting excavation on four underground stations along Eglinton Avenue West at Martin Grove Road, Kipling Avenue, Islington Avenue and Royal York Road. Work includes building the station boxes, which are the underground structures that make up the main body of the station.

“We continue to make progress on our government’s plan to reduce gridlock and get Ontarians where they’re going quickly and safely,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “With shovels in the ground on four of the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension stations, we’re helping thousands more Ontarians access employment opportunities and housing while creating jobs that drive economic growth.”

Once complete, the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension will bring the Eglinton Crosstown LRT 9.2 kilometres farther west, creating nearly 30 kilometres of rapid transit along Eglinton Avenue, linking Scarborough, Midtown Toronto and Mississauga into a single continuous transit line. The extension will save passengers up to 24 minutes travelling from Toronto’s Yonge and Eglinton to Mississauga’s Square One.

“This is about building stronger communities and making it easier for people to get where they need to go while creating good-paying jobs,” said the Honourable John Zerucelli, Secretary of State for Labour and Member of Parliament for Etobicoke North, on behalf of the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada. “These new stations will connect Etobicoke residents and all Torontonians to work, housing and essential services for generations to come.”

Ontario is investing nearly $70 billion in public transit, including the largest subway expansion in Canadian history with the Ontario Line, Scarborough Subway Extension, Eglinton Crosstown West Extension and Yonge North Subway Extension.

“The Eglinton Crosstown West Extension will make it faster and easier for people to get to work, school and services,” said Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto. “As we continue building a more affordable city, expanding public transit is essential to reducing congestion and creating opportunities for residents. The City of Toronto looks forward to continuing to work with our provincial and federal partners to deliver the reliable transit network people need and deserve.”

Quick Facts

• The new stations will put 37,500 people and 23,600 jobs within walking distance of public transit.

• The Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, when combined with the Eglinton Crosstown LRT (Line 5 Eglinton), will result in 6.5 million fewer car trips each year.

• The extension will connect with other regional transit operators, including UP Express, GO Transit, TTC and MiWay bus services.

• The extension will feature seven stations along Eglinton Avenue West — at Jane Street, Scarlett Road, Royal York Road, Islington Avenue, Kipling Avenue, Martin Grove Road and Renforth Drive.

• Crews recently completed excavation of the first of two 500-metre tunnels running from Pearen Park to Mount Dennis Station.

• Workers have also finished 85 per cent of the piers that will support the 1.5-kilometre elevated guideway and are making significant progress building the bridge decks that the trains will travel across.

• The Government of Canada is supporting the construction of the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension through an investment of approximately $1.87 billion.

Quotes

"Today’s milestone for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension highlights the significant progress our government is making to expand transit infrastructure, reduce gridlock and increase access to jobs and housing. As part of our $236 billion capital plan to protect Ontario, we are planning a transit-oriented community at the future Martin Grove LRT station that would deliver enhanced public space and nearly 685 new homes, making it easier for residents and commuters to connect to transit in their community."

- Todd McCarthy

Acting Minister of Infrastructure

"For residents of Etobicoke Centre, the start of excavation on the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension is an exciting milestone that signals better transit is on the way. Our government is making historic investments in transit infrastructure and we are finally bringing fast reliable transit so that constituents have better options and better connectivity across the city."

- Kinga Surma

MPP, Etobicoke Centre

"This project represents another important investment in the future of our communities. As work moves forward on the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, residents across York South—Weston and neighbouring communities will benefit from better transit connections, improved access to employment opportunities and continued investment in the infrastructure that supports our growing region."

- Mohamed Firin

MPP, York South—Weston

"The start of excavation on these stations adds to a growing list of milestones for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension. In addition to the completion of the six-kilometre west tunnelled section, I am excited by the continuing progress along the entire 9.2-kilometre route, with the piers and bridge for the elevated guideway quickly taking shape and the final set of tunnels nearing completion on the eastern end of the route. This extension will be a vital east-west connection across the City of Toronto, making it easier and more convenient for thousands of people to travel from Scarborough, through Midtown Toronto and into Mississauga."

- Michael Lindsay

President and CEO, Metrolinx

"CUTA congratulates the Government of Ontario for this important milestone in the expansion of Toronto's transit network. We look forward to the government's further investments in expanding access to public transit for all Ontarians. "

- Marco D'Angelo

President and CEO, Canadian Urban Transit Association

"Only months after opening the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, it’s encouraging to see construction progressing on the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension. Once completed, it will better connect the vital economic zone around Pearson International Airport with the rest of the city. This will support residents, employees and businesses travelling across an important east-west corridor, strengthening the region’s attractiveness and competitiveness. The Eglinton Crosstown West Extension will further help to reduce congestion along a key arterial by providing a fast and reliable transit option, with connections to regional transit operators."

- Giles Gherson

President and CEO, Toronto Region Board of Trade

"TRACCS Transit and Rail proudly commends the Ontario government on achieving this pivotal milestone for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension. By advancing excavation on these four key underground stations, this historic investment not only tackles regional gridlock and enhances transit safety but also injects vital job opportunities into the construction and engineering sectors that drive our province's economic future."

- Mark Salsberg

Chairperson, TRACCS Transit and Rail

Additional Resources

• More about Ontario’s priority transit projects

• Eglinton Crosstown West Extension

MEDIA CONTACT                                                                                              

Stephen Lecce, MPP for King—Vaughan

Constituency Office

Tel.: 647-560-9700        

Email: Stephen.Lecce@pc.ola.org