Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx have issued a request for qualifications for the design and construction of seven stations along the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension (ECWE).

“Our government is bringing thousands of people in the GTA within walking distance of public transit,” said Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria. “For people who depend on transit to get to and from work and other important destinations, the seven-stop Eglinton Crosstown West Extension will be a game changer, connecting commuters from Renforth to Mount Dennis, Kennedy and beyond.”

The stations, rail, and systems (SRS) contract will be procured through a progressive design-build contract model. The scope of work includes the design and construction of all seven stations along the ECWE, as well as connecting the line to the existing Eglinton Crosstown LRT at Mount Dennis Station.

It also includes architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical work for the ECWE stations from Mount Dennis to Renforth Drive, as well as outfitting the tunnels and the elevated guideway with track and signals.

Tunnelling work for the line began in 2022 with two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) digging east from the launch site near Renforth Drive to the extraction shaft at Scarlett Road.

“By investing in our infrastructure, we are committed to significantly improving the daily lives of our citizens. The development of public transportation infrastructure in the Greater Toronto Area will improve the network's accessibility, safety and efficiency,” said federal Infrastructure Minister Sean Fraser. “These improvements will ensure more convenient travel for the Greater Toronto Area residents, contributing to a better quality of life for the entire community.”

The RFQ is the first step in the procurement process to select a team to deliver the ECWE SRS package. IO and Metrolinx will evaluate submissions to prequalify teams with the relevant experience and financial capacity to deliver a project of this size and complexity.

Meanwhile, the broader Eglinton Crosstown West Extension project is being delivered in four separate procurement contracts. The contracts include:

• the first advance tunnelling contract, which covers the underground segment of the line between Renforth Drive and Scarlett Road,
• the second advance tunnelling contract, which covers the underground segment of the line between Jane Street and Mount Dennis Station,
• the contract for the elevated guideway (managed by Metrolinx), which covers the above-ground section of the route between Scarlett Road and Jane Street, and
• the stations, rail, and systems contract.

Once complete, the ECWE will bring the Eglinton Crosstown LRT another 9.2 kilometres farther west, creating a continuous rapid transit line from the east end of Toronto through the heart of the city and into Mississauga, with an estimated 69,700 rides expected each day.

The extension will also connect with other regional transit operators, including UP Express, GO Transit, TTC, and MiWay bus services.

“Today’s announcement is another sign of progress in delivering good, reliable transit across the city,” said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. “I hope that we can soon have thousands of people filling up these stations and excited about exploring all the amazing things that Mount Dennis and the neighbouring communities have to offer.”

Ontario is investing more than $70 billion over the next decade to transform public transit in the province, which includes the largest subway expansion in Canadian history – the Ontario Line, the Scarborough Subway Extension, the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension and the Yonge North Subway Extension.

The Government of Canada is contributing a further $10 billion toward the eligible project costs.