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Ontario Celebrates Major Milestone for Eglinton Crosstown West Extension: Tunnelling Completed

Toronto ON — The Ontario government has announced the completion of tunnelling for the western underground segment of the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, marking a significant milestone in the province’s extensive transit development plan. This development brings the region closer to a reliable and continuous rapid transit line that will connect the eastern and western ends of Toronto, stretching into Etobicoke and Mississauga.

Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria highlighted the importance of this milestone, stating, “As the Greater Toronto Area continues to grow, families deserve to have access to fast and reliable transit options that connect them to good jobs, housing, and other necessities. Today’s milestone brings us another step closer to saving commuters time, increasing quality of life for residents, and growing the economy for everyone.”

The project, which spans 6.3 kilometers of underground tunnels along Eglinton Avenue West from Renforth Drive to Scarlett Road, involved the excavation of 1.2 million tonnes of soil and rock. The completion saw the installation of over 7,400 concrete tunnel liner rings, ensuring the stability and durability of the tunnels. This segment represents 93% of the line’s underground portion, transitioning to an elevated guideway at Scarlett Road.

Federal support for the project was reinforced by Yvan Baker, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke Centre, who conveyed on behalf of Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities, “Part of the largest public transit investment in the history of the Greater Toronto Area, the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension will help to reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions while supporting thousands of good jobs. Building strong, inclusive, and affordable communities relies on a foundation of public infrastructure like LRTs and public transit routes that keep our cities moving.”

The next phase of the project will focus on the extraction shaft at Scarlett Road, constructing the structure where the trains will surface, and preparing for tunnelling the eastern portion from east of Jane Street to Mount Dennis Station.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow expressed her support, emphasizing the collaborative effort between the city and province. “Our strong partnership with the province is helping build more transit, more quickly, for the people of Toronto. The Eglinton Crosstown West Extension will help more communities conveniently access rapid transit. Together, we can relieve congestion and give people more options to get to work, school, or run errands.”

Samantha Deschamps

Samantha Deschamps serves as the Queens Park Reporter, offering insightful coverage of provincial politics with depth and accuracy. With a keen understanding of legislative intricacies, Deschamps provides invaluable perspectives on matters affecting Ontario. For inquiries or feedback, contact Samantha at samantha.deschamps@gtaweekly.ca.

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