Eglinton Crosstown Line

Eglinton Crosstown Line

Despite Canada’s enthusiasm for private finance, public authorities in Ontario are largely funding Toronto’s US$5.85 billion Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit with public money. The province will issue green bonds to raise US$443 million from environmentally conscious private investors. Ontario will be the first government in Canada to use green bonds to fund public infrastructure. The partially underground 19 kilometre light rail line should make Toronto’s existing subway system more accessible to its growing population. Due to finish in

2020, it is the largest transit expansion in the history of Toronto.

The line has 25 stations and is expected to open in September 2021. It is also expected to connect the Toronto Pearson International Airport in the west and the University of Toronto Scarborough in the east. With Toronto’s increasing population, it is expected to reduce travel times by 60%. It is also considerable faster than any present form of transport present in Toronto.

Eglinton Crosstown LRT Map (Image Credits: Metrolinx)