Ontario Breaks Ground on Laird Station on Eglinton Crosstown LRT
By On-Site Magazine
Construction Infrastructure Light Rail Transit LRT subway Toronto transit
Premier Kathleen Wynne was at the groundbreaking ceremony for the latest milestone in the construction of the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit line, the largest transit project under construction in Canada.
Work is beginning on Laird Station, located near the midpoint of the 19-kilometre Light Rail Transit (LRT) line. Construction began in March on Keelesdale, the first underground station. By the end of the summer, more than half of the underground stations on the 25-station line will be under construction.
Ontario has invested $5.3 billion toward the capital costs of the LRT line. New, modern light rail vehicles on tracks separated from regular traffic will offer fast, efficient service and improve travel for people along the busy Eglinton corridor. The Eglinton Crosstown will also help lower greenhouse gas pollution, improving air quality and fighting climate change.
“By investing in transit, we are keeping people moving, connecting communities and improving quality of life. We are making real progress on the Eglinton Crosstown LTR — part of our record investment in infrastructure that is creating jobs, strengthening our economy and building a strong and sustainable future for Ontario.” — Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario.
Ontario is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province’s history — about $160 billion over 12 years, which is supporting 110,000 jobs every year across the province, with projects such as roads, bridges, transit systems, schools and hospitals. In 2015, the province announced support for more than 325 projects that will keep people and goods moving, connect communities and improve quality of life.
Investing in priority transit infrastructure is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario’s history and is investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.
Quick Facts
- The Eglinton Crosstown LRT is expected to begin service in 2021.
- By 2031, it is expected to carry about 5,500 passengers per hour during peak travel times and have an annual ridership of about 50 million.
- As well as 25 new stations and stops, the LRT line will also link to 54 bus routes, three TTC interchange subway stations and GO Transit. It will help move people across the city more quickly, reliably and conveniently, with service operating up to 60 percent faster than the existing bus service on Eglinton Avenue.
- At the peak of construction, about 2,500 workers will work on the project, and 90 per cent of the labour will come from the Greater Toronto Area.
- Research shows that every $100 million of public infrastructure investment in Ontario boosts GDP by $114 million, particularly in the construction and manufacturing sectors.
