Toronto's city manager is 'blindly optimistic' the overdue Eglinton Crosstown LRT will open soon

Toronto's city manager says the Eglinton Crosstown LRT opening date is very close and the transit project is in its final stages of testing. 

Paul Johnson told CBC Radio's Metro Morning on Tuesday that he's "blindly optimistic" that the long-delayed light rail transit will open soon. 

"It is very, very close. These are the last stages of really testing it," he said.  

The 25-stop line was initially set to open in 2020, but a series of technical problems and associated cost overruns have plagued the project and repeatedly delayed its completion. Construction on the line began in 2011.

The transit line will open when it's "safe and operationally sound to do so" and testing has been going well, Johnson said on Tuesday.  

"It's going to open soon. Everybody's working towards that, and I know people want to know the actual date. The only thing holding back the date is, we also don't want this to be unreliable and be a very poor service when it goes in," said Johnson. 

He said staff have been running tests to make sure all trains have what they need to run daily. They are also checking the route timings and if all systems are working properly. 

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said last month that the Eglinton Crosstown LRT line was on track to open this September.

September opening 'is a reach,' TTC interim CEO says

At last week's TTC board meeting, outgoing TTC interim CEO Greg Percy was asked if the transit line was on track to open in September.

"We're looking at still this fall to get something happening," answered Percy. "I think September is a reach, but this fall is plausible and certainly by year-end."

WATCH | Percy talks about September opening date: 

The Eglinton Crosstown LRT may be delayed once again

9 days ago

Duration 2:39

The TTC board heard a disappointing update about the Eglinton Crosstown LRT on Thursday. As CBC's Lane Harrison reports, the transit project may be facing yet another set of delays.

TTC took control of the Eglinton Crosstown from Metrolinx last month. Metrolinx CEO Michael Lindsay said at the time that the system and vehicles were being "relentlessly" stress tested.

Percy said at Thursday's board meeting that the decision on the opening date still falls to Metrolinx. He said safety and customer experience are key issues, and that the TTC won't open it until "it is satisfying both."