TTC teases Eglinton Crosstown LRT 'coming soon' but still won't give an actual date

Toronto's transit riders are once again being told that the delay-plagued Eglinton Crosstown LRT is "coming soon," as the TTC updated its website this week to reflect recent progress, despite still not offering an official opening date. 

On the TTC's Line 5 information page, the transit agency now describes the 19-kilometre light rail line as "coming soon," and encourages riders to "check in for more details, including our opening date," over the next few weeks. 

Initially slated to open in 2020, the troubled project has notoriously faced years of delays and cost overruns, and has become one of — if not the — most scrutinized transit projects in Ontario. The forthcoming transit line is now at least $1 billion over budget, and its opening has been consistently pushed back thanks to construction issues, testing challenges, and disputes between Metrolinx and its contractors. 

Earlier this month, Premier Doug Ford offered the clearest timeline yet at an unrelated press conference in Etobicoke, saying he expects the line to begin service in early February, which mirrors the rumoured Feb. 8 opening date. 

"Thank God we're getting this thing going. It's been a nightmare. I'm the first to admit it," Ford said, noting that he believes that service for the transit line could begin within a few weeks. 

"I'm confident it's going to get going early in February, and we'll be there to support them any way we can," Ford added, although neither Metrolinx nor the TTC has confirmed this timeline. 

Full operational control of the line was recently transferred to the TTC, and updated subway maps depicting the new Line 5 began appearing on board trains as early as last month, showing the 25-stop route in orange from Mount Dennis to Kennedy. 

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow has also said that a more detailed update on the project's status is expected later this month, but reiterated that the line will not open before then. 

"You will get an update at the end of January as to where the Eglinton Crosstown, where it's at, and we'll be able to say more at that time," Chow said last month. 

Although construction on the LRT was largely completed back in March 2024, the focus has shifted to rigorous testing of trains and signalling software to ensure that the line can handle daily passenger demand, according to Metrolinx and the TTC.