Archive – March 16, 2021
On March 16 2021, Metrolinx hosted a virtual open house including speakers from our senior leadership team with 55 people in attendance. During the one-hour open house, we answered as many questions as possible, responding to 15 questions about the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension. Participants voted on questions and were particularly interested in hearing about the elevated guideway, the process for station designs, and mitigation measures for noise, vibration and impacts to vegetation. In case you missed the event, you’ll find the answers in the video recording below. We also received additional questions during the virtual session and are committed to answering those as well. Answers will be posted at the bottom of this page.
Meet the Speakers

Joshua Engel-Yan
Program Sponsor

Peter Olak
Technical Director

Carrie Sheaffer
Director, Environmental Programs and Assessment
Other Attendees
- Joseph Thornley, Moderator, 76engage
Comments
Elevated vs. tunneled
AnonymousPlease state all the reasons why the proposal calls for the section between Jane and Scarlett to be elevated vs. tunneled.
Answer
MetrolinxThe key consideration is that the area between Scarlett Road and Jane Street is in an identified flood plain zone. Tunneling would require building underneath three flood-prone waterways (under the Humber River) and present significant environmental and technical challenges to building and operating the line. Elevating the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension between Scarlett Road and Jane Street eliminates these challenges and will help to prevent potential service disruptions along the corridor during times of heavy rain and flooding. We appreciate that residents have questions and concerns about the elevated guideway, and we will work with the community to minimize impacts and build the structure with your input.
3D model
AnonymousWas a 3D model (to scale) prepared to show where the elevated track will be built and what the final result will look like? Is it accessible to the public?
Answer
MetrolinxWe’re working towards renderings as part of the early design process and expect to have more to share this year. The elevated guideway, the stations and other major elements of the project that people are very interested in are all part of the second work package. Work doesn’t start on these pieces until approximately 2025. We will be providing updates and seeking feedback from the community many times between now and then.
Electric car charging points
AnonymousWhat are you plans for electric car charging points at the new stations? By the time they are built, electric cars will be commonplace.
Answer
MetrolinxThe stations will prioritize connections made by transit, walking and cycling. We are not building parking lots at the stations.
Why does it take so long to build transit here
AnonymousWhy does it take so long to build transit here in North America? It seems in Asia and even Europe they can have this type of line done in 5-7 years and not 10.
Answer
MetrolinxWe recognize the need to deliver more transit quickly and safely. The ECWE was announced with three other priority subway projects in 2019, and since then a significant amount of planning and design work has advanced quickly. Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario are working together to deliver the project by 2030-31. This period of 10 years also includes the design and procurement process.
Surface stop connection
AnonymousHow can a surface stop connect to other transit systems in Mississauga.
Answer
MetrolinxWe’re building the station near the existing Renforth Terminal where local transit access is well organized already. The new station will be designed and built for a seamless customer experience. It will be a mix of underground/above ground like the BRT route is already.
Trades and careers
AnonymousHow will Metrolinx ensure that youth like myself can take part in trades and careers from this project? I would like to apply to work here as I live close thank
Answer
MetrolinxMetrolinx is working with MTO & other Ministries, to develop the requirements for the subway projects. We are hoping to announce this as soon as the requirements are finalized.
Excavation
AnonymousWhen do expect the tunnel boring machine to begin excavating for Eglington West extension?
Answer
MetrolinxWe have just recently identified the West End Connectors as the first negotiations proponent for that work. As we continue to finalize details with them, we also expect they will begin work on the launch shaft this summer and the tunnel boring machines to begin digging in 2022. We’ll have a more defined timeline later this year.
Side platforms
AnonymousCan the extension have at least side platforms on one of the underground stations just like the TTC
Answer
MetrolinxWe are still in the early design stage for stations and have been looking at both options and the different benefits of each. We will have more information to share during engagement later this year. Stay tuned!
Infill stations
Anonymousonce the extension opens will there be any infill stations or stops?
Answer
MetrolinxWe don’t anticipate any additional stations on this route but we’re also not excluding the potential. In the early design stages, many different stations were considered along the route. The design we’re moving forward with is seven new stations and each of those connect with the major surface, local bus connections available. We’ve maximized the locations based on nearby people, destinations and local transit connections. Although it is not impossible to add an additional tunneled station in the future, it would be a huge undertaking and would likely require shutting down the line.
Plans to improve connections
AnonymousAny plans to improve the connection between the 2 west-most stations (Renforth and Martin Grove) and the high-density and car-dependent West/East Mall areas?
Answer
MetrolinxWe’re planning for good connections to TTC at the existing Renforth BRT terminal, however, it’s the City of Toronto and TTC that determine any improvements to their transit routes. You may find more information if you contact them directly.
Traffic flow and access to Emmett from Eglinton
AnonymousDuring and after construction, what is the anticipated traffic flow and access to Emmett from Eglinton, and for how long?
Answer
MetrolinxThe community will never lose vehicle access during construction or throughout operations. There will be changes to accommodate construction but at no point will access to the health care centre or the buildings on Emmett Avenue be closed off. We’re still working on the design with the City of Toronto and will bring our thoughts to the community at a future engagement this year.
Condo developments west of Scarlett
AnonymousDo pending condo developments west of Scarlett have any impact on your decision to tunnel?
Answer
MetrolinxThe surrounding areas are factored into our decision but the key reason the first tunnel portion ends west of Scarlett is because we are building an elevated guideway to go over the Humber River.
Opportunity to reduce costs
AnonymousIs there an opportunity to reduce costs by 1) having more of the line at surface or elevated? 2) use cut and cover rather than tunneling for u/g sections?
Cycling infrastructure
AnonymousWhat are your plans for expanding/improving cycling infrastructure between Mt Dennis and Renforth?
Vibrations
AnonymousFor the townhouses adjacent to Eglington between Islington to Martin Grove. Will there be any vibrations from the train? The tunnel is very close to the houses.
Noise
AnonymousNoise is often maintenance not design. Who will maintain the system and what regulations will control hours of work so we don't have rail grinding at 3am?
LRT trains
AnonymousAre new LRT trains needed for this extension?
Answer
MetrolinxYes, we will need to order additional light rail vehicles however the specific details and number required are part of the stations, rail and systems work that is only in the early design stage. Stay tuned. We do anticipate it will be the same vehicle used on the Crosstown LRT because they’ll be running from end to end across the line and stored in the same facility at Black Creek/Eglinton. Changes to fleet would be made in close partnership with TTC who is operating the line.
Airport extension
AnonymousWhat's the progress on the airport extension. Will the line head to the airport terminals or the Pearson Transit Hub.
Answer
MetrolinxThe Province is committed to connecting with Pearson Airport. We are looking at the design options now with the GTAA, the City of Toronto and Mississauga. In 2019, the GTAA announced $40 million in funding to advance technical work for the extension and there is a business case underway that will lay out the options and predicted costs etc. When that work is complete, we will share it for review. The GTAA is leading plans for a transit hub at the airport.
Cost effective to run it in the surface
AnonymousWhat would be more cost effective is run it in the surface? A mirror to what is already being built east of Leaside?
Vibrations and construction impact
AnonymousAs Emmett Ave is sloping downwards, what kind of impact will the vibrations and construction cause on the four buildings?
Sports and trail amenities
AnonymousWhat sports and trail amenities will be lost from the Eglinton Flats how will they be replaced so that the immediate community, esp high rise, does not suffer.
Answer
MetrolinxNone of the existing community facilities including sports and trail amenities will be lost during construction or operations.
TBM
AnonymousIs the project going to reuse the TBM used in the Eglinton Crosstown?
Answer
MetrolinxDon and Lea are retired and two new TBMs will be procured for this project. Stay tuned for a TBM naming contest!
Duration
AnonymousWhat’s the duration of this expansion?
Answer
MetrolinxMetrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario are working together to deliver the project by 2030-31.
Surface roads
AnonymousWill the surface roads be repaved from one end to the other?
Answer
MetrolinxWe will ensure roads will be restored wherever we anticipate impacts from construction.
Topham Pond
AnonymousHow will Topham Pond be protected during this construction?
Answer
MetrolinxConstruction of the elevated guideway is on the north side of Eglinton and no impacts are foreseen at Topham Pond. If you have specific concerns that we’re misunderstanding here please contact Kelly directly at [email protected].
Bridge
AnonymousWill the bridge be widened to accommodate the train tracks, or will the existing bridge suffice?
Answer
MetrolinxA new bridge over the Humber River will be built on the north side of the existing bridge to carry the tracks.
Re-configure major intersections into roundabouts
AnonymousWould it be possible to re-configure the major intersections along Eglinton Avenue West at Royal York, Islington, Kipling, and Martin Grove into roundabouts?
Answer
MetrolinxThat type of decision and work is beyond our scope and best addressed with City of Toronto transportation services.
Webcams along construction areas
AnonymousCould webcams be installed along the construction areas (stations, portals) for the "internet" supervisors, and watch the progress?
Answer
MetrolinxGood idea! Our community relations team will be using video and photo to show progress. We’ll consider this in our toolkit.
Kipling-Eglinton West intersection (roundabout)
AnonymousCould the Kipling-Eglinton West intersection (roundabout) get a "triumph" arch or monument as a "gateway" entrance into the capital of Ontario, Toronto?
Answer
MetrolinxThat type of decision and work is beyond our scope and best addressed with City of Toronto transportation services.
Construction plans between Jane and Weston
AnonymousWhy have the construction plans between Jane and Weston not been finalized yet but the west portion has?
Answer
MetrolinxThe work is being done in two separate packages. The first package is the tunneling from Renforth to Scarlett and the second package includes all the infrastructure associated with stations, the elevated guideway, rail and systems installation. That work is still in the early design stage and needs time to complete before going to procurement. A lot of planning and design has been done since the project was announced in 2019, but there is still more to do for that second package.
Portal east of Jane
AnonymousHow will the portal east of Jane affect the north entrance to Eglinton Flats?
Answer
MetrolinxAccess to the park, the services and the homes will always be maintained from Eglinton during construction (and operations). We do anticipate changes to the existing access point to allow for construction of the elevated guideway and will have more to share later this year for public input.
Station names
AnonymousWhen will station names be decided and consultation conducted? It’s an exciting part of the process!
Answer
MetrolinxThe station naming will certainly be a part of a future update. It’s great to see the interest and excitement for this! Stay tuned and be sure to sign up for the e-newsletter to stay on top of engagement opportunities.
Public art at stations
AnonymousWill public art at stations be a part of this project?
Kipling/Eglinton station
AnonymousWhy isn’t the Kipling/Eglinton station at the south west corner instead of its current position on the north west corner. The south west corner has less trees
Process for securing contracts
AnonymousFor local contractors and suppliers, what is the process for securing contracts.
Answer
MetrolinxProcurement of the ECWE is being coordinated by Infrastructure Ontario – you can contact them by clicking here. Infrastructure Ontario will be best equipped to answer your questions about the process of bidding for contracts related to the project.
For the ECWE, Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario have already begun procurement activities. To keep the project moving forward as quickly as possible, tunneling will begin first. Separate contracts will be issued in the future for the rest of the work, which includes building the stations, fitting out the tunnel and installing and commissioning the systems to put the line in service. Stay tuned for more info as it becomes available!
Construction impact to sidewalks
AnonymousHow will the construction impact sidewalks?
Bridge over the 401
AnonymousIs there going to be a bridge over the 401 to the Airport?
Answer
MetrolinxMetrolinx is actively collaborating with the GTAA and municipal partners on the potential connection from Renforth Drive to the airport.
In 2019, the GTAA announced $40 million in funding to advance technical work for the extension and there is a business case underway now that will lay out the options and predicted costs etc. When that work is complete, we will share it for review.
Footpath for pedestrians
AnonymousThere's a a foot path that acts as a shortcut east of scarlett west of Emmett on the north side.will that be closed off to pedestrians?
Cell service in tunnels
AnonymousWill Metrolinx partner with a cellular provider(s) to provide cell service in the tunnels?
Tunneling at Scarlett
AnonymousHow is the tunnelling going to be created in front of the apartments at Scarlett Rd?
Bicycle garages
AnonymousWill bicycle garages (underground or overground) be built at the stations? With ----de-sac in Etobicoke, it will be a l-o-n-g walk to reach stations.
Reconfigure the bike path
AnonymousWill it be possible to reconfigure the bike path along Eglinton Avenue West in Etobicoke into a bicycle highway, with underpasses and overpasses?
Depth
AnonymousHow deep will the dig be for the underground between Royal York and Renforth Station
Station depth/heights
AnonymousWhat are the station depth/ heights for the underground and elevated stations?
Hydro corridor lines around Eglinton/401/427/Kipling
AnonymousWill the hydro corridor lines around Eglinton/401/427/Kipling be buried or raised higher over the roadway?
Metrolinx' priority during construction
AnonymousIs Metrolinx' priority during construction minimizing the duration of construction (more disruptive) or minimizing disruption (longer and more expensive)?
Construction at Mount Dennis station
AnonymousHow long do you anticipate construction to take place in the Mount Dennis section? What mitigation strategies will be used to make it less disruptive?
Construction between Jane and Weston
AnonymousHow will the tunnel be constructed between Jane and Weston to allow the line to run from an underground elevation at Mt Dennis station to the elevation at Jane?
Jane/Scarlett elevated section
AnonymousState reasons why the Jane/Scarlett section will be elevated while Scarlett/Renforth section will be tunneled.
Kipling/Eglinton
AnonymousKipling/eglinton townhomes are less than 10m from eglinton. Can the tunnel be nearer the south side of eglinton which will be under the road and bicycle path?
Noise protection
AnonymousHow are you going to implement effective noise protection for the condos and apartments at Eglinton and Scarlett? The noise studies need to include high homes.
Elevated section
AnonymousWhat will the elevated section look like? Will there be an attempt to make it as visually unobtrusive as possible?
Lighting at elevated sections
AnonymousWill the elevated sections be lit up underneath to ensure pedestrian safety? Proper lighting is key to reducing crime and making vulnerable people feel safe.
Light rail vehicles
AnonymousWhen will the additional light rail vehicles for this project be ordered, and will they be the same models used on Phase 1 of the Crosstown?
How come the line isn't elevated all the way to Renforth
AnonymousHow come the line isn't elevated all the way to Renforth. You'd save money on tunnelling while still providing excellent grade-separated service.
Pearson connection
AnonymousWhat is the status of the Pearson Connection? Will we be getting a new transit hub there?
Green space at the Humber River
AnonymousWhat are you doing to protect the green space at the Humber River? Are you going to build on it?
Environmental study between Jane/Scarlett
AnonymousWhat were the findings of the environmental study between Jane/Scarlett to mitigate the impact on the wildlife that is dependent on this treed area?
Trees along the section of Eglinton flats
AnonymousIs it necessary to remove all the trees along the section of Eglinton flats between Jane and Scarlett? Can this section be closer to Eglinton to avoid this?
Noise and vibration mitigation strategies
AnonymousWhat mitigation strategies will be used to reduce noise and vibration from the elevated section of the along the Eglinton flats section?
Can the line west of Mount Dennis station remain underground
AnonymousCan the line west of Mount Dennis station remain underground below Jane Street; preserving parks, mature trees while being quieter and less visually disruptive?
Site plans and elevation drawings of the above ground section
AnonymousWhen will Metrolinx present site plans and elevation drawings of the above ground section of the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension to the public?
Access to Fergy Brown and Eglinton Flats during construction
AnonymousHow will vehicles access the Fergy Brown and Eglinton Flats during construction? Will there be permanent closures? Emmett?
Jane North LRT station
AnonymousWhy isn't the proposed Jane North LRT station developed on the northwest corner rather than the more heavily treed wetland habitat corner of Fergy Brown Park?
A new stacked bridge over the Humber River
AnonymousWouldn't a new stacked bridge over the Humber River be more cost-effective than building & maintaining a raised line between Jane & Scarlett Road? Save trees!