'We're not there yet': Metrolinx CEO won't provide opening date for troubled Eglinton Crosstown LRT

Metrolinx is refusing to provide an update on an opening date for the long-delayed Eglinton Crosstown LRT line, citingtechnical issues in the testing and commissioning phase that are continuously pushing the finish date further down the road.

"Any prediction of an opening date atthis stage of the project will just be an estimate, and I'm not comfortable giving that," said Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster.

"When I give you a date it must be something I believe in and we're not there yet."

PhilTaberner,the project's vice president, says construction is "pretty much" complete except for a small section near Eglinton-Yonge.

He said testing and commissioning is considered a "high-risk" part of the project, and that they'reanticipating "faults and issues" that will take an "unpredictable" amount of time to rectify.

"We want the tests to be rigorous, and we want to identify these issues," he said."This then gives us the assurance that we've got a robust, safe and reliable railway."

WATCH | Metrolinx CEO refuses to provide opening date for Eglinton Crosstown LRT:

Metrolinx CEO not comfortable providing new opening date for Eglinton Crosstown

11 months ago

Duration 0:58

"When I give you a date it must be something I believe in and we're not there yet," said Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster.

Verster saysMetrolinx has a "really good idea" of theapproximate opening date, even though he chose not to divulge it. The transit agencyintends to give an update every two months, with the next one slated for November.

"Given the facts of what has caused the different delays. I am very excited about the Eglinton Crosstown. We are not that far away," said Verster.

History of delays, legal disputes

The 25-stop, 19-kilometre line was last slated to be up and running in the fall of 2022, but construction has stretched on long past that.

The regional transit agency attributes some of the challenges behind the delay to the COVID-19 pandemic,repairs tothe existing Yonge-Eglinton subway station, andtheconsortium of four companies,Crosslinx Transit Solutions (CTS), contracted by Ontario's previous Liberal government to design and build the Crosstown.

Work began on the Crosstown in 2011 and Metrolinx previously announced completion dates of 2020 and 2021.

The repeatedly delayed and over-budget project has been stymied amid reports of some 260 quality control issues,which Verster said is now down to 225.

It's also facedlegal threats from CST.In May, the consortiumallegedthatMetrolinxfailedto retain an operator for the unfinishedtransit line.Verster confirmed Wednesdaythat thecourts sided with Metrolinxand CTShas to follow the agreed path of arbitration.

The transit line, also known as Line 5, is expected to run along Eglinton Avenue from Mount Dennis in the west to Kennedy in the east.

Internal Metrolinx documents obtained by CBC Toronto last year show that the budget for the project has ballooned to nearly $13 billion, a figure that includes 30-year maintenance costs. That's more than double the initial estimates.

Fire Metrolinx CEO, NDP says

Toronto-St. Paul's Coun. Josh Matlow, who's beencritical of the project's delays, is renewing his call for a public inquiry into Metrolinx's handling of the project since it's been more than a decade since work started.

"If Phil Verster is going to do a press conference, actually provide some information," said Matlow.

"You have a duty and a responsibility to tell the public the truth and be accountable for the hundreds of millions of dollars in cost overruns, tax dollars and the years of delays that have hurt communities and devastated businesses."

Susan Bazarteowns one such business. She's beenrunningEglinton Fast FoodInc. for 14 years and has been operating for the entire duration of construction.

"I've been waiting for a long time," said Bazarte. "I almost want to close."

Verster sayshe's accountablefor delays and is "doing everything possible" to get the project over the line.

On Wednesday, the OntarioNDPdemanded action over to the LRT'scontinued delay. Ottawa Centre MPP Joel Harden called for the newly appointed Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria to fire Verster.

Verstermakes nearly$900,000 and is the fifth-highest paid public servant in the province, the party pointed out.

"Consumed by scandal, Ford's Conservatives have lost control of the province's transit agency and the vital Eglinton Crosstown," hesaid. "It's clear they can't build transit projects in this province, and people are left waiting for transit that feels like it will never arrive."