New signs hint that Toronto’s Eglinton Crosstown LRT might finally open

With Toronto’s Eglinton Crosstown LRT now in its 14th year of construction after countless delays, it’s no wonder that some residents doubt they will get to ride it in their lifetime, let alone anytime soon.

But, some new signage that has started to pop up along the route is providing a glimpse of hope and leading to some speculation that the big day may finally be approaching.

Stations have long been ready, testing has been underway for months, heck, even the cleaning process for the light rail vehicles is down pat — but still, we’ve been left hanging with no opening in sight.

Metrolinx, under the direction of Premier Doug Ford, last year went mum about the potential debut date, saying they wouldn’t share one until just three months prior to avoid any more broken promises for a line that was originally slated to be in operation by 2020.

And though that announcement has yet to be made — confirming that the Crosstown will not be ready by the end of the year — there are now other [literal] signs that the opening is coming in the near future.

Eglinton LRT notices are going up
byu/USSMarauder intoronto

Notices spotted this week at bus stops on Eglinton Avenue East, near Warden, advise passengers looking to board the 32, 34, 332 or 334 Eglinton buses that there are some major service changes on the way.

“This stop has been updated in preparation for the opening of Line 5 Eglinton. The routes shown above reflect future bus service at this stop,” the temporary posters, shared to Reddit on Wednesday, state.

“Current routes will continue to stop here until Line 5 Eglinton opens.”

TTC spokesperson Stuart Green tells blogTO that these changes apply to more than a staggering 700 bus stops, and are already underway.

“[The work] includes updating poles at existing stops and installing new poles at newly added stops,” he said over email on Thursday.

He explains the timing, saying that “completing these stop changes requires considerable time, and it was essential for the TTC to start implementing them ahead of Metrolinx’s 90-day announcement to ensure readiness for opening day.”

While Green was unable to provide any additional information about a potential opening, as that would be Metrolinx’s jurisdiction, the provincial transit agency was predictably vague, writing “our understanding is the TTC is conducting preparatory work on their bus routes. We need to have confidence that key milestones are being met, and once we have an opening date, we will share that with the public.”

Metrolinx recently found yet another software issue during testing, but is expecting to be able to conduct a full revenue service demonstration for the line in early 2025.