Rendering of what part of a completed Eglinton Crosstown West Extension could look like. (Image: Metrolinx)
Key construction has started on several segments of a significant light-rail transit line being developed in east Mississauga and Toronto, project leaders announced on Friday.
Major excavation work is currently taking place at four out of the seven 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,” according to a news release from the Ontario government.
Tentatively set to welcome its first riders in five or six years, the 9.2-kilometre above ground/underground LRT route will extend the Eglinton Crosstown LRT line further west and “bring much-needed rapid transit to Etobicoke and Mississauga,” project officials have said.
Once completed, the ECWE will help ease traffic congestion and connect nearly 70,000 commuters with jobs throughout the Greater Toronto Area, as stated by the province.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford remarked that as the GTA continues expanding, “our government is making historic investments in the largest public transit expansion in North America to support commuters, fight gridlock and protect workers.”
“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.”
The province indicated on Friday that work crews are starting excavation for 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,” project officials explained in their release.
The other three stations planned along the Eglinton Avenue LRT route will be located at Scarlett Road and Jane Street-both in Toronto-and Renforth Drive in east Mississauga.
Metrolinx, which is collaborating with Infrastructure Ontario to build the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, mentioned earlier that when this line is complete around 2031 or so, passengers will be able to travel by train from Scarborough in east Toronto to Renforth Drive in Mississauga.
An additional extension heading north towards Toronto Pearson Airport in Mississauga is also planned.
Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria stated now that shovels are officially in action on four stations; “we’re helping thousands more Ontarians access employment opportunities and housing while creating jobs that drive economic growth.”
Rendering of what the Renforth Station in Mississauga could look like when the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension LRT route is completed. (Image: Metrolinx)
When it opens for passengers, it’s expected that ECWE will lengthen its parent line by almost 10 kilometres-“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 traveling from Toronto’s Yonge and Eglinton to Mississauga’s Square One.”
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow noted that this LRT extension “will make it faster and easier for people to get to work, school and services.”
The new ECWE transit line will also eventually connect riders with regional transport services such as Union Station to Pearson Airport Express (UP Express), GO Transit, TTC , and Mi Way-the public transport provider for Mississauga.
Project leaders previously mentioned that this new LRT line is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 39,000 tonnes each year once it’s operational.
(Cover photo: Metrolinx)
Rendering of the elevated guideway section of the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension. (Image: Metrolinx)
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Rendering of what the Renforth Station in Mississauga could look like when the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension LRT route is completed. (Image: Metrolinx)
When it opens for passengers, it’s expected that ECWE will lengthen its parent line by almost 10 kilometres-“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 traveling from Toronto’s Yonge and Eglinton to Mississauga’s Square One.”
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow noted that this LRT extension “will make it faster and easier for people to get to work, school and services.”
The new ECWE transit line will also eventually connect riders with regional transport services such as Union Station to Pearson Airport Express (UP Express), GO Transit, TTC , and Mi Way-the public transport provider for Mississauga.
Project leaders previously mentioned that this new LRT line is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 39,000 tonnes each year once it’s operational.
(Cover photo: Metrolinx)
Rendering of the elevated guideway section of the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension. (Image: Metrolinx)
INsauga’s Editorial Standards and Policies
Last 30 Days: 44,039 Votes
All Time: 1,425,501 Votes
1945 VOTES
