Finch West LRT Set to Launch Ahead of Crosstown Line

The Finch West LRT is close to launching passenger service as final upgrades near completion, putting the project ahead of the long-delayed Eglinton Crosstown line in Toronto. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Although it started construction nearly a decade after the Crosstown, the Finch West LRT has progressed faster and more efficiently. All 18 stops were completed in September 2024, and the final touches are now being applied.

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Metrolinx reports that Finch West Station, the eastern terminus, will be cleared for occupancy by the end of June 2025. Passenger features such as benches and signage have already been installed.

Meanwhile, workers are finalizing road and sidewalk repairs along the 11-kilometer route. Between Keele Street and Signet Drive, bike lanes, signals, and fresh pavement are in place, with minimal disruption to traffic.

Finch West LRT Nears Final Testing and Operator Training

TTC staff began training for Line 6 Finch and Line 5 Eglinton in March. The agency confirmed that refresher training and ghost service for Line 5 will occur before Line 6 training resumes in full.

Once Line 5 operators are certified, TTC will shift focus to completing training for Finch West LRT staff. That timing aligns with a possible August opening for the line.

Commuters along Finch Avenue have noticed signs since February announcing bus stop relocations to prepare for the LRT debut. The public response reflects growing anticipation for the long-awaited service.

Public Readiness Signals Finch West LRT Opening Is Near

While the Eglinton Crosstown nears its 14th year in development with no firm launch date, the Finch West line has stayed largely on track. Construction began in 2019 and has moved forward without major delays.

Finch Avenue West looks fully revitalized in many segments, especially between Milvan Drive and Highway 27, where resurfacing and transit enhancements have transformed the corridor.

If TTC and Metrolinx keep pace, the Finch West LRT could open by August, delivering long-promised transit relief to northwest Toronto commuters and marking a rare on-schedule milestone in the city’s transit development.

Source, photo: www.blogto.com

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