Final lane restrictions for Eglinton Crosstown LRT construction lifted

After more than a decade worth of traffic headaches along Eglinton Avenue, the last portion of long-term lane restrictions for construction of the new Eglinton Crosstown LRT have finally been lifted.

Lanes at the Yonge and Eglinton intersection have now been restored. It was the final spot where surface-level construction still had lanes reduced with concrete barriers and fencing in place until early this year.

That infrastructure has now been removed from the roadway and fresh paving has also taken place.

Metrolinx spokesperson Andrea Ernesaks tells The Leader Spirit much of what is left to do on the surface at Yonge and Eglinton won’t impact traffic.

“Contractors have finished back-filling the space on top of the new station to road level and all temporary road decking has been removed. Continuous sidewalk access on both sides of the street has also been restored,” Ernesaks said.

“Minor works – such as tying in the new watermain at Duplex and Holly Street, adding additional signage and completing the trees and planters – will continue in the weeks to come.”

Unfinished sections of sidewalk are still protected by fencing in some areas, but all crosswalks at the intersection are open and accessible for pedestrians.

Pam Canbuy with the Midtown BIA tells The Leader Spirit she’s excited for businesses in the area who’ve suffered through years of decreased foot traffic as construction has extended well past expected dates for completion of the line.

“It’s actually really good to have people come around again,” Cambuy said.

“People would avoid coming so I’m hoping that now that everything is opening up again, that’s going to change. So, we’re planning for a lot of good events and initiatives to actually bring people back.”

Among those events, Cambuy says, is a planned street party on Yonge Street this coming July.

Meanwhile, beneath the surface, work on Line 5 Eglinton is still underway. This past weekend, Line 1 had to be shut down between Lawrence and Davisville stations to accomodate ongoing construction below ground.

Metrolinx still has not been able to provide a firm date for opening of the new line.

At a Dec. 8, 2023, briefing in which members of the media were allowed to tour the work zone underground, Metrolinx President and CEO Phil Verster reiterated his intention to withhold announcing a date until three months prior to the new line being operational.

“As you would have seen today, we are finding and fixing issues and defects,” Verster said at the briefing.

Despite increasing scrutiny of the project, the office of Premier Doug Ford confirmed to The Leader Spirit in September of 2023 that Verster had been given a three-year contract extension to remain at the helm of Metrolinx through 2026.