The Eglinton-Scarborough Crosstown tunnel has been given the green light. Construction on the $320-million project is scheduled to start this fall, thanks to Metrolinx’s contract.
But this isn’t the only change for Toronto’s transit. This project is one of four lines that Metrolinx calls “The Big Move,” a 25-year, $50-billion plan that will involve a network of 52 kilometres of underground and on-street tracks.
The Eglinton-Scarborough Crosstown line will provide many opportunities and benefits for the community, according to Metrolinx spokesperson Mark Ostler. More convenient travel seems to top that list.
“Metrolinx is taking an important step forward in the largest Light Rail Transit expansion in the City of Toronto’s history,” Ostler said. “The Eglinton-Scarborough Crosstown LRT will bring rapid transit right through the centre of Toronto, cutting travel times and providing one seamless trip across the city with no need for a transfer.”
But Ostler isn’t the only one who is optimistic about this endeavour. Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, also believes that these projects will open up many doors.
“We are moving forward on the biggest investment in public transit [for] the City of Toronto,” Chiarelli said. “This project will create tens of thousands of jobs and make it easier for commuters to get to work, school or appointments.”
The construction for the western launch shaft is currently underway.
“The first tunnel boring machine is expected to arrive at the site later this fall and tunneling is expected to start next February,” Ostler said. “The tunneling work is expected to take approximately two-and-a-half years to reach a point just west of the Yonge and Eglinton intersection.”
Ostler says that things so far seem to be going as planned to meet the 2020 completion date.