Eglinton Crosstown LRT installs first piece of track

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor
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The first piece of track installed for the Eglinton Crosstown LRT was a turnout at the maintenance and storage facility.
Metrolinx

The Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit (LRT) project installed the first piece of track at the Maintenance and Storage Facility marking another milestone toward bringing the project online by 2021.

The 19-km (11.8-mile) Eglinton Crosstown LRT will connect Mount Dennis Station in the west with Kennedy Station in the east and includes a 10-km (6.21-mile) underground portion between Keele Street and Laird Drive. The line will bring an additional 25 stations and stops to the Greater Toronto Area that will link to bus routes, three subway stations, three GO Transit lines and the Union Pearson Express.

The turnout installed is part of the 8.5-km (5.28-mile) track system that will move vehicles through Mount Dennis Station and adjoining maintenance and storage facility. The facility is the first major component of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT project scheduled for completion and will be finished in 2018.

Ontario is fully funding the CA$5.3-billion (US$4.18-billion) Eglinton Crosstown LRT to expand transit in the city of Toronto.

“The installation of the first piece of track is a significant milestone for the Eglinton Crosstown LRT project. It is exciting to see how far we’ve come since work began in 2011. This investment will provide fast, efficient and reliable transit for residents, commuters and visitors in Toronto,” said Ontario Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca.

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