New extension will connect more people to jobs and rapid transit in Toronto and Mississauga
TORONTO — The Ontario government is awarding a contract to construct the elevated portion of the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, marking a major milestone in the province’s plan to deliver faster and better transit that connects communities from Toronto to Mississauga.
“As part of the largest expansion of public transit in Canadian history, the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension will bring more people in Toronto and Mississauga closer to rapid transit,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “This is another step forward in our government’s plan to build critical transportation infrastructure that makes life easier and more affordable for people, while spurring economic growth for decades to come.”
The province has officially awarded the contract to design and build the elevated guideway for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension to Aecon Infrastructure Management Inc. The guideway will be about 1.5 kilometres in length, running along the north side of Eglinton Avenue West from just west of Scarlett Road to east of Jane Street, where the line will head underground again and connect with the future Mount Dennis Station.
“Public transit is vital to the growth of cities and communities across Canada,” said Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities. “The Eglinton Crosstown West Extension will support good jobs and reduce greenhouse emissions, while helping people get around more easily in the GTA. Through permanent funding for public transit, we will continue to support provinces, territories, municipalities, transit agencies, and Indigenous communities as they build stronger and more connected communities.”
Elevating the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension over the Humber River will maximize travel time savings for commuters, while minimizing impacts to surrounding communities. Once complete, the extension will support as many as 4,600 jobs annually during construction and attract 69,700 daily boardings by 2041.
Ontario is investing $70.5 billion over the next decade to transform public transit in the province, which includes the largest subway expansion in Canadian history – the Ontario Line, the Scarborough Subway Extension, the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, and the Yonge North Subway Extension.