The Government of Ontario awarded a $290 million design-build contract for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension (ECWE) project’s Elevated Guideway to Aecon Group Inc.
The scope of work includes the design and construction of a 1.5-kilometre elevated guideway that will run along the north side of Eglinton Avenue West, from just east of Jane Street to just west of Scarlett Road. Construction is expected to commence in early 2024, with anticipated completion in 2028.
“As part of the largest expansion of public transit in Canadian history, the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension will bring more people in Toronto and Mississauga closer to rapid transit,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “This is another step forward in our government’s plan to build critical transportation infrastructure that makes life easier and more affordable for people, while spurring economic growth for decades to come.”
The Elevated Guideway will form a critical part of the 9.2-kilometre extension of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT. The extension will run from Mount Dennis in the east to Renforth Drive in the west, featuring connections to UP Express and Kitchener GO train services, as well as TTC, GO and MiWay bus services.
Aecon will subcontract certain early works to Aecon Six Nations (A6N), a successful Indigenous-owned and operated general partnership between Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (51%) and Aecon (49%). Aecon will also support Metrolinx to explore partnerships with Indigenous-owned businesses during the project.
“We are pleased to expand our role in delivering this critical transit extension that will improve mobility for surrounding communities and decrease travel times for commuters,” said Jean-Louis Servranckx, president and CEO Aecon Group Inc. “Building on Aecon’s experience executing some of the most complex transit projects in Ontario’s history, we look forward to successfully executing this project while supporting our client in working collaboratively with local and Indigenous communities.”
The Eglinton Crosstown West Extension is No 17 on ReNew Canada’s 2023 Top100 Projects report.
Elevating the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension over the Humber River will maximize travel time savings for commuters, while minimizing impacts to surrounding communities. Once complete, the extension will support as many as 4,600 jobs annually during construction and attract 69,700 daily boardings by 2041.
“We are making progress and getting shovels in the ground to build critical infrastructure for the people of Ontario. The Eglinton Crosstown West Extension is just one part of our government’s historic $185-billion plan to build Ontario. This subway expansion will provide much-needed relief for commuters in Etobicoke and Mississauga with quick connections to downtown Toronto. By investing in transportation infrastructure and helping people get to where they need to go, our government is investing in our economic future, our health and safety, and our quality of life today and for generations to come,” said Kinga Surma
Minister of Infrastructure.
“We are thrilled to reach another important milestone for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension. When combined with the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, this line will bring riders from Mississauga through midtown Toronto and all the way to Scarborough, making it easier for thousands of people to choose transit first and taking an estimated 6.5 million car trips off the road each year,” said Phil Verster, president and CEO of Metrolinx.
Featured image: Eglinton Crosstown West Extension Elevated Guideway (CNW Group/Aecon Group Inc.)
