The Eglinton Crosstown is finally here, but at what cost? After years of delays, budget overruns, and community frustration, the long-awaited transit line is set to open—yet Ontario Premier Doug Ford has firmly rejected calls for a public inquiry into what went wrong. This decision has sparked debate, as many argue that understanding past mistakes is crucial to avoiding them in future projects. But here's where it gets controversial: Ford insists that an inquiry would be a waste of time, claiming, ‘We all know the mistakes, we’ve acknowledged them, and we’ve learned.’ Is he right, or are we missing an opportunity to hold those responsible accountable?
At a recent news conference, Ford emphasized that the focus should now be on moving forward with other major transit initiatives, such as the Scarborough subway extension and the Ontario Line. ‘We’re building the largest transit system in North America,’ he stated. ‘There’s going to be bumps in the road.’ While he acknowledged that the Crosstown project has been a ‘nightmare,’ he assured the public that lessons learned here will prevent similar issues in ongoing projects. But is this enough to justify skipping a deeper investigation?
Construction on the Crosstown began in 2010 under the Liberal government of Dalton McGuinty and spanned three premiers, finishing six years late and over $1 billion over budget. Despite these setbacks, Ford highlighted the line’s potential to ease congestion, sharing a personal anecdote about his hour-long morning commute from Etobicoke to Yonge Street along Eglinton. He also paid tribute to his late brother, former Mayor Rob Ford, who famously championed subways and pushed to make the entire line underground. ‘I guess he got it right,’ Doug Ford said with a smile, though he added, ‘We should have done that and finished.’
And this is the part most people miss: The Crosstown line runs underground only from Keele to Laird, with above-ground sections at either end. This hybrid design has raised concerns about potential performance issues, especially after the challenges faced by the recently opened Finch West LRT. Mayor Olivia Chow addressed these worries, announcing that signal priority for trains at traffic lights will go live in a few weeks, though full implementation won’t happen until May at the earliest. She praised the line as ‘a smooth, reliable alternative to crowded buses along Eglinton,’ adding that the TTC and Metrolinx are taking a ‘thoughtful approach’ to its phased opening.
Chow also acknowledged the sacrifices made by communities along the line, which have endured years of traffic disruption, noise, dust, and harm to local businesses. ‘Your patience has made this possible,’ she said, echoing Ford’s gratitude. To celebrate the opening, free rides will be offered all day Sunday.
But as we applaud this milestone, the question remains: Should we dig deeper into what went wrong, or is it time to simply move on? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you agree with Ford’s decision, or do you think a public inquiry is necessary? The debate is far from over.
