Construction of Eglinton Crosstown West Extension line begins.

by Alonzo Aldaba

The tunneling for the new Eglinton Crosstown West Extension has begun in GTA. It is the first phase of a seven-stop extension which the Ontario government promises will bring a more efficient means of public transit between Etobicoke and Mississauga. Ontario Premier Doug Ford says “Our government is getting it done and delivering the largest subway expansion in Canadian history.” Ontario has pledged $17 billion to fund this project, with the Canadian government promising last May to lend $10 billion to fund all of the GTA’s other subway projects.

When Toronto Mayor John Tory was asked about the announcement of the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension’s construction, he said “I want to thank both the federal and provincial governments for investing in transit in Toronto and for helping us create a more livable city for generations to come. It is so important for Toronto, Ontario, and Canada that this city comes back stronger than ever. I am confident we can do it if we work together, build on our strengths and successes, and move forward. This project is an important step in that direction.”

Two tunneling machines have begun digging along Eglinton Avenue West, moving 10 t0 15 meters a day to dig the twin tunnels that will be used for this extension. It will extend the future Eglinton Crosstown LRT service by another 9.2 kilometers from Scarborough to Etobicoke and Mississauga. It is claimed that the extension’s construction will support around 4,600 jobs a year, and once completed will be expected to attract around 37,000 passengers a day by 2041.

“The Eglinton Crosstown West Extension will make it easier, faster and more convenient for Ontarians to access resources, get to work or school, and connect with loved ones. Our government is building Ontario by providing people with the transit connections they need and deserve for generations to come” said Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra.

“Today’s announcement means we’re one step closer to connecting the Eglinton Crosstown to Mississauga’s transitway, which will make it so much easier for residents to travel across Mississauga and beyond,” says Mayor of Mississauga Bonnie Crombie.