Item - 2024.MM22.20
Tracking Status
- This item will be considered by City Council on October 9, 2024.
MM22.20 - Rquesting Metrolinx to Provide Transparency and Accountability on the Eglinton Crosstown - by Councillor Josh Matlow, seconded by Councillor Mike Colle
- Consideration Type:
- ACTION
- Wards:
- All
* This Motion is subject to referral to the Executive Committee. A two-thirds vote is required to waive referral.
Recommendations
Councillor Josh Matlow, seconded by Councillor Mike Colle, recommends that:
1. City Council request the Province of Ontario to launch a public inquiry into the causes of the ongoing delays, the fractious relationship between Metrolinx and their Public-Private Partnerships-contracted consortium, Crosslinx, and increased costs in the construction of the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit.
2. City Council request the Mayor and the City Manager to invite the Provincial Minister of Transportation and the Chief Executive Officer, Metrolinx to the November or December 2024 meeting of the Executive Committee to make a presentation and answer questions regarding the current status of the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit, including:
a. the reasons for the continued delays;
b. when the project is expected to be complete;
c. what is the expected additional cost to the project; and
d. the additional supports will they provide to affected residents and businesses.
Summary
The recent news that the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit won’t open in 2024 is yet another disappointing setback for the many Torontonians that live and work along the line that is at least a billion dollars over budget and has been delayed for years. Residents and businesses along 19 kilometres of Eglinton Avenue have been enduring over 12 years of hardship due to the endless construction. They have suffered incredible disruption and unmanageable traffic and safety issues as well as greatly reduced customer traffic, loss of revenue and in many cases business closure.
Despite repeated calls by City Council demanding greater transparency and accountability, Metrolinx continues to refuse to explain the repeated delays, cost overruns and won’t even set a forecasted completion date. It is unacceptable that residents who real estate and business decisions based on the line opening in 2020 are still left waiting for the bus.
Further to recommendations made in item 2023.MM2.1, this Motion calls upon City Council to once again ask for a public inquiry into this project and request Metrolinx and the provincial Minister of Transportation to appear before the Executive Committee to publicly report on the status of the project.