City councillors demanding answers for long-delayed Eglinton Crosstown LRT
Posted December 8, 2022 9:17 pm.
Two Toronto city councillors say they plan to bring “a significant motion” forward seeking answers to the long-delayed Eglinton Crosstown LRT.
Councillors Mike Colle and Josh Matlow are demanding answers and accountability for the delayed and overbudgeted $5.5 billion project which Metrolinx recently confirmed will not be operational by the end of the year as previously promised.
“What’s also apparent to me is the P3 model, promised to protect the public from risks, has done quite the contrary,” Matlow tweeted. “In fact, we’ve seen years of delays, rising costs and Metrolinx consistently on the losing side in court with their own contractors. We need to get real about this.”
In September, Metrolinx blamed Crosslinx Transit Solutions, the construction consortium charged with building the 25-stop, 19-kilometre light rail line, for the schedule delays which have prevented it from opening on time.
While Metrolinx said it was doing everything to hold Crosslinx accountable, it did not specify why the project has been delayed again or provide a new target opening date.
RELATED: Metrolinx confirms delayed Eglinton Crosstown LRT won’t be done by end of 2022
RELATED: Eglinton LRT completion date delayed one year until Sept. 2022
Repeated requests from CityNews for answers to questions surrounding the delays directed to Metrolinx, Crosslinx and the provincial government have gone unanswered.
CityNews has been monitoring the progress of the project throughout 2022. In the past, Metrolinx officials said the target for completion was the end of December, and as late a June 17 a spokesperson for the provincial transit agency said “substantial completion” by the end of the year was their goal.
Construction on the Eglinton Crosstown began in 2011 and it was originally scheduled to open in 2020. But the project has been plagued by various delays, including COVID-19, supply chain issues, and labour union strikes. Other complex and unforeseen construction-related issues have also impacted timelines.
