Toronto City Council moves design forward for Eglinton East LRT and Waterfront East LRT projects

On June 15, the Toronto City Council advanced two light-rail transit (LRT) projects: the Eglinton East LRT and the Waterfront East LRT.

The city council previously voted in December 2020 to support the projects by having staff continue their evaluations on each project. The vote on June 15 will advance designs of the projects.

“We’re seeing unprecedented transit expansion in our city. These two LRT projects are just as important as the other major transit projects already under construction. For the first time in our city’s history, we have a more than $28 billion transit plan approved and funded by all three governments – the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the City of Toronto. I am just as determined to get both the Eglinton East LRT and Waterfront East LRT built because I know they will make a meaningful difference for everyone traveling in these areas,” said Toronto Mayor John Tory.

The planned 15-kilometer (9.3-mile) Eglinton East LRT will connect historically underserved communities by extending the Eglinton Crosstown LRT from Kennedy Station through the University of Toronto Scarborough to Malvern with 21 stops and connections to GO Transit.

The vote by the city council has directed staff to advance the Transit Project Assessment Process and 10 percent design for a distinct service concept with an at-grade connection at Kennedy Station. A distinct service concept will provide an estimated C$2.1 billion (US$1.62 billion) in cost savings, reduce construction by up to four years, reduce property impacts for 21 properties on Eglinton Avenue West and provide design and operational flexibility, allowing for more frequent service as needed.

The city explains its staff will continue to refine the design of an at-grade Kennedy Station connection, with the goal of enhancing the transit customer experience. Following further work on the distinct service concept, staff will report back in Q3 2023 with a Class 4 cost estimate and updated initial business case.

The vote by the city council directs staff to finalize the 30 percent design of the Waterfront East LRT project and conduct an assessment of constructability and coordination with other major infrastructure projects in the area. The results of this work will be reported in Q2 2023, along with a recommended scope, updated cost estimate, and a funding, financing and implementation strategy for the project.

The Waterfront East LRT project is a coordinated effort between Toronto, Toronto Transit Commission and Waterfront Toronto to provide improved infrastructure and additional streetcar services to the East Bayfront area along Queens Quay, from Bay Street to Cherry Street, connecting north to the Distillery District and south to Commissioners Road. The line will provide improved transit to areas of significant existing and future development.