Hey guys welcome back to the channel, and our new series: Demystified!
This new series has long been in the works and with us now being mostly stuck at home
like most of our lovely community, we decided now was the time! In this series we will discuss
some of the world's biggest transit projects and some of the history and interesting details
behind them, all while providing a nice geographical perspective on the transit connections and
new infrastructure!
For our first video we have the infamous Eglinton Crosstown Line in Toronto Ontario, consider
following us on social media, stay safe and healthy, and enjoy the video!
[Intro]
A Subway along Eglinton Avenue has long been planned in the city of Toronto as a second
high capacity crosstown link to supplement the existing TTC Bloor Danforth Subway Line
along the north of the city's downtown core. In fact, the beginnings of a subway tunnel
were even constructed back in the 90s before being subsequently filled in by a newly minted
government.
Finally, in the 2010s Southern Ontario's new regional transit agency Metrolinx began construction
on what would now be a low floor light rail line, partially operating in a tunnel as a
proper subway line, and partially on the surface as a high capacity tramway.
While the long delay since its initial proposal is often bemoaned by Toronto's transit enthusiasts,
I actually think the Eglinton Crosstown delay and later rebirth under Metrolinx is quite
serendipitous.
It's a little appreciated fact that Toronto has two major rail transit networks, well
three if you count the streetcars. The local grid shaped TTC Subway and the burgeoning
radial Regional GO Rail network. As it were both networks were built during different
eras and so currently don't have the most convenient interchanges where they exist at
all. Further, the two networks which should complement each other have struggled in their
current states, with the TTC struggling to capture riders from Toronto's booming suburbs,
and GO struggling to move riders around the dense urban core of Toronto.
With that in mind the Eglinton Crosstown project can be considered in a totally new light that
changes how one might look at other Metrolinx' projects like the Ontario Line. I like to
think of the Eglinton Line as the missing link that finally properly integrates GO and the TTC.
The Eglinton Crosstown links two of the most important GO Lines in terms of future ridership
growth, to the TTCs most used Subway Line with a dedicated grade separated transit line
from Mount Dennis GO Station all the way to Laird Avenue. The new link between the Barrie
and Kitchener GO Lines and the Yonge and University-Spadina Subway Lines massively improves the convenience
of TTC services for use by commuters from the major growth areas to the city's West
and North, while the link also allows for convenient access to Yonge Street and Midtown
Toronto for commuters who may not have previously considered GO transit.
Furthermore the Eastern at Grade section of the Crosstown from Laird all the way East
to Kennedy Station on Line 2 provides a new higher capacity local transit service to replace
one of the city's busiest bus routes while linking up to another subway and GO Line in
the city's East End.
So with that a line that was initially planned to be *just* another subway line is now pulling
duty as a brand new regional connector that seeks to unify what until now have largely
been highly segregated rail networks. Just in time for GOs major service improvements
and the TTCs major capacity improvements to both be realized.
And the future of the Crosstown is also bright. With a few modifications the Line could eventually
operate in a fully grade separated right of way all the way to Don Mills in the East to
meet up with the long awaited new Downtown Subway Line. Extensions are also being planned
for the Line both East into Scarborough where the line can continue to improve local transit
connectivity and interface with yet another GO Transit Line this time the Lakeshore East
at Guildwood. And to the West where it will continue as a grade separated Line to massively
improve connectivity to Mississauga and perhaps most importantly Pearson International Airport
and the new Airport transit centre. This will make the Eglinton Crosstown a fundamental
piece of the GTHAs rail network bringing together a majority of the GO transit network with
links to Local Transit in a number of municipalities.
So with that thanks for watching the first episode of Demystified, and as always see
you again soon!
[Music]