NDP demands answers, transparency as Eglinton Crosstown project continues to be shrouded in secrecy

QUEEN’S PARK – As the Eglinton Crosstown LRT project enters its 11th year of construction, the newly completed Sloane Station was dug up overnight due to “an uneven layer of concrete” leading to an extra month of construction and repair work that will be impacting the community.

Ontario NDP Transportation Critic Joel Harden (Ottawa Centre) and GTA Issues Critic Bhutila Karpoche (Parkdale–High Park) released the following statements in response:

“This raises some major questions and flags around accountability and transparency,” said Harden, who also pointed out that similar issues happened with the Ottawa LRT construction as well. “The Minister of Transportation failed to provide an answer about what was going on with Sloane station and with the Eglinton LRT project overall. The public has the right to know if there are deficiencies in the current system so we can work together to resolve them. This LRT line is going to be essential for many Torontonians, and they deserve answers, transparency, and clear information on when this project will be completed.”

“As a Torontonian myself, I would like to echo what I have been hearing from people across the city – what is going on with this project? When will it be completed? Will it ever open?” said GTA Issues Critic Karpoche. “We know that hundreds of businesses across communities on Eglinton have been impacted by the dragging on construction over the past decade. Now, when the project is supposed to be near completion, it is troubling to see newly built never-used stations being ripped out without any information about the state of the project. Ontarians deserve answers and accountability.”