After 15 Years and $12 Billion, the Eglinton Crosstown LRT Is Finally Here
Toronto's transit landscape changed forever on February 8, 2026, when the Eglinton Crosstown LRT — now officially Line 5 Eglinton — carried its first passengers after more than 15 years of construction and a price tag north of $12 billion.
The 19-kilometre light rail line stretches from Kennedy Station in the east to Mount Dennis at Weston Road in the west, with more than 10 kilometres running underground through the heart of midtown. In total, 25 stations and stops dot the route, giving commuters a brand-new east-west spine through some of the city's densest corridors.
Opening day was electric. The TTC offered free rides all day, with the first westbound trains departing Kennedy Station at 7:30 a.m. and the first eastbound services leaving Mount Dennis at 7:37 a.m. Riders lined up early despite the February cold, eager to be among the first to experience the long-awaited line.
A New Web of Connections
Perhaps the most transformative aspect of Line 5 is its connectivity. The LRT links to 68 bus routes, three existing TTC subway stations, the UP Express, and two GO Transit lines. For residents along Eglinton Avenue — long one of the city's most congested corridors — the promise of faster, more reliable transit is finally a reality.
The line also sets the stage for future expansion. Metrolinx has plans for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, which would push the line further to Pearson Airport, creating a seamless transit link between the city's midtown core and its international gateway.
The Long Road to Opening
The project's history is as much a cautionary tale as it is a triumph. Originally slated for completion in 2021, the Eglinton Crosstown was plagued by construction delays, contractor disputes, and cost overruns that nearly doubled its original budget. Eglinton Avenue was torn up for years, devastating local businesses and testing the patience of residents.
But now that the trains are running, early reviews have been positive. The stations are modern and accessible, the ride is smooth, and travel times along the corridor have been cut dramatically — a trip from Kennedy to Mount Dennis that once took over an hour by bus now takes roughly 30 minutes.
For a city that has long struggled to expand its transit network, Line 5 represents a genuine milestone. Whether it marks a turning point in how Toronto builds infrastructure or another chapter in its complicated relationship with mega-projects remains to be seen. For now, Torontonians are just happy to ride.
