By ashleykaren
The Ontario government is entering into the next phase of planning, design, and procurement for the future Eglinton Crosstown West Extension with the release of an RFQ (Request for Qualifications) for the second advance tunnel contract for the section of underground works from Jane Street to the future Mount Dennis Station. The project is designed to bring better rapid transit to Etobicoke and Mississauga by delivering on the greatest subway expansion plan in Canadian history.
Caroline Mulroney, the Minister of Transportation stated: “Since breaking ground on this priority project in July, we’ve made remarkable progress on the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension”.
“Ontario is more committed than ever to working with our partners to build subways faster. Together, we will make life easier for the people of Etobicoke and Mississauga, support the creation of thousands of jobs, and spur economic growth,” added Mulroney.
In addition, the province is going to reveal a pre-qualification for the transit project’s elevated section of tracks from Scarlett Road to Jane Street in the coming weeks. Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario are going to assess the submissions and declare a shortlist of qualified proponents for both contracts in spring 2022.
The Honorable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities mentioned: “Today’s announcement marks an important milestone in the progress of the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension.”
He also asserted: “As the project takes shape, it brings us closer to our goal of giving more residents across the Greater Toronto Area access to clean, modern, and reliable public transit.”
When finished, the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension is going to extend the Eglinton Crosstown LRT by 9.2 km, from the future Mount Dennis Station to Renforth Drive, mainly running below the ground.
This extension is going to link riders to destinations over the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) via links to UP Express, GO Transit, TTC, and MiWay. Ontario is also considering a potential extension of the line to Pearson International Airport.
The Government of Canada declared in May that their commitment to fund up to 40 percent of eligible costs for Ontario’s four priority subway projects in the GTA, comprising the Ontario Line, the three-stop Scarborough Subway Extension, the Yonge North Subway Extension and the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension. Federal funding for the Yonge North Subway Extension is conditional on federal Treasury Board confirmation.
