Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx have announced the start of construction of Keelesdale Station, the first of 25 new stations to be built for the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit (Crosstown LRT) line.
Metrolinx is Ontario’s regional transportation agency responsible for co-ordinating and integrating all modes of transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area (GTHA).
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Ontario invested $5.3bn ($3.99bn) toward the project’s capital costs of the Crosstown LRT project, which is expected to be completed in 2021.
It is reported that new and modern light rail vehicles on tracks separated from regular traffic will provide a fast and efficient service, as well as improve travel for people across the region.
Designed to reduce greenhouse gas pollution from Ontario’s transportation sector, the Crosstown LRT line will have 25 stations and stops along Eglinton Avenue between Weston Road and Kennedy Station, and will also connect to 54 bus routes, three TTC interchange subway stations and GO Transit.
Metrolinx president Bruce McCuaig said: "We are excited to move into this next phase of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT project, building the stations and stops, track and signal infrastructure and maintenance and storage facility to support the line.
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By GlobalData"The Crosstown is one of Metrolinx’s key projects that will transform the way Toronto and the region moves with a fast, convenient and integrated transit network."
The investment is part of Ontario’s aim to invest $160bn ($120bn) over 12 years for projects such as roads, bridges, transit systems, schools and hospitals.
It is expected the planned investments will support 110,000 jobs on average every year across the province.
Last year, the province announced support for more than 325 projects that will keep people and goods moving, connect communities and improve quality of life.
In November, Crosslinx Transit Solutions signed a $9.1bn ($7bn) contract with IO and Metrolinx to design, build, finance and maintain the Crosstown LRT project.
The Crosslinx Transit Solutions General Partnership consortium was selected as the preferred bidder for the project in June. The consortium includes Aecon, ACS Infrastructure Canada, EllisDon and SNC-Lavalin. Each member is an equal partner in the group with a 25% stake in the AFP contract.
Crosslinx expects to generate 2,500 jobs during the peak of construction, with 90% of them going to local people.
By 2031, the new line is expected to carry 5,500 passengers per hour during peak travel times, with daily boardings estimated to be 162,000 and an annual ridership of 50 million.
