Province announces start to procurement process for Eglinton Crosstown West Extension

The province announced another step forward in the construction process for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension — a 9.2 kilometre addition to the yet-to-be-opened Eglinton LRT.

At a press conference on Monday, Transportation minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said the province has issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for the design and construction of seven new stations along the extension. The contracts will include all architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical work.

Sarkaria said this move marks another step toward building a better public transport system for Ontarians.

"Across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area, we're investing billions of dollars in transforming public transit," he said.

"Our government knows transit keeps people moving and is a key driver of economic growth, connecting people not only to jobs, but also to friends and family, medical appointments, school and so much more."

In a news release, Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx said they will be evaluating submissions to ensure teams have the relevant experience and financial capacity to deliver a project of this size and complexity.

Tunnelling work for the line began in 2022, the government said in a release, with two tunnel boring machines digging east from the launch site near Renforth Drive to the extraction shaft at Scarlett Road.

An estimated 69,700 rides are expected on the line each day.

Ontario Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow made an announcement Monday afternoon. (CBC)

"Today's announcement is another sign of progress in delivering good, reliable transit across the city," Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said in a release.

"I hope that we can soon have thousands of people filling up these stations and excited about exploring all the amazing things that Mount Dennis and the neighbouring communities have to offer."

The announcement comes after years of delays to the Eglinton LRT, the 25-stop, 19-kilometre line that runs from Kennedy Station in the east to Mount Dennis station in the west.

Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster has said the transit agency will provide an opening date for the Eglinton LRT three months ahead of time.