Eglinton Crosstown LRT's opening date finally confirmed

After a decade and a half of construction, numerous cost overruns, delays, lawsuits, and just about every negative headline imaginable, the Eglinton Crosstown LRT finally has an opening date.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford confirmed on Monday that the problem-plagued light rail line would finally enter service as the TTC's Line 5 on Feb. 8, 2026.

With the opening of the LRT now c0nfirmed for less than two weeks away, questions turn to the line's operation following the disastrous rollout of the Finch West LRT in December, and the long-term impact on businesses affected by the never-ending construction project.

Construction of the line kicked off in 2011 and has dragged on into 2026, enduring a seemingly constant flow of problems and hiccups that have continued right up into the home stretch, causing major headaches along the artery for close to a decade and a half.

Local councillor Josh Matlow, who represents the Toronto—St. Paul's ward the line passes through, has launched a petition calling for a public inquiry on the botched construction and broken promises.

It looks like the Eglinton LRT will finally be opening on February 8th. If you support my call for a public inquiry into the delays, cost overruns and impacts to community and businesses, please sign here: https://t.co/aY5gfL3HHn https://t.co/4MHaQYwvcc

— Josh Matlow (@JoshMatlow) January 26, 2026

The Crosstown's first phase runs 19 kilometres from Kennedy to Mount Dennis, serving 25 stops and underground stations.