Toronto Finch West LRT Nears Completion but Still No Opening Date

Toronto’s long-awaited Finch West LRT is close to completion, but the city has yet to confirm an opening date, leaving commuters uncertain after years of delays and shifting timelines. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Spanning 11 kilometers with 18 stops, the Finch West LRT will run from Keele Street to Highway 27, ending at Humber College’s north campus. Construction began in 2019, and although it avoided severe delays like the Eglinton Crosstown, it still missed multiple deadlines.

Toronto Finch West LRT Faces Ongoing Delays

Metrolinx confirmed in September 2024 that major construction had finished. Since then, crews have worked on signal activation, pedestrian access, and final station finishing. At Finch West Station, the LRT’s pedestrian portal now connects with Line 1’s subway platform.

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Vehicle testing continues along the guideway and at stops, while Humber College Station reached occupancy in October 2024. The section from Signet Drive to Milvan Drive now includes sidewalks, bike lanes, and active traffic signals, signaling near readiness for service.

What Toronto Commuters Can Expect from the New Line?

When operational, the line will run on a dedicated right-of-way, separate from traffic. Trains will arrive every five to seven minutes during rush hours and every seven to ten minutes during off-peak times, offering a 34-minute end-to-end trip.

Each light rail vehicle will hold up to 300 passengers, traveling at speeds of 60 km/h. By 2031, Metrolinx forecasts daily ridership up to 46,000 passengers, or 14.6 million annually, making this a crucial addition to Toronto’s transit network.

However, uncertainty persists. TTC interim CEO Greg Percy admitted that the September 2025 target for the Eglinton Crosstown LRT seems unlikely, though he expects progress this fall. He noted, “September is a reach, but this fall is plausible, and certainly by year-end.”

Toronto officials still hope both projects will launch by the end of 2025. But given the city’s recent record on major transit projects, riders remain cautious about expecting a firm date soon.

Source: www.blogto.com

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