Politics / Canada
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Behind schedule and over budget: Why do we keep building LRTs?
Summary
The Eglinton Crosstown LRT opened on February 8, 2026, after significant delays and budget overruns, raising concerns about the management of LRT projects in Canada. Other cities also face challenges with their LRT systems, leading to questions about their reliability and effectiveness. Despite the excitement surrounding new LRT lines, the persistent issues highlight systemic problems in urban transit planning.
LRT projects are expanding rapidly in Canada as a cost-effective alternative to subways, but rising construction costs and inadequate future planning may hinder their effectiveness. While LRTs are designed to accommodate growing populations, current projections may not accurately reflect future demands, potentially leading to insufficient transit capacity.
Transit construction costs have significantly increased, making previous pricing unrealistic. The effectiveness of LRTs in cities like Ottawa and Toronto is under scrutiny due to ongoing issues, including delays and budget overruns. These challenges raise concerns about the management and execution of LRT projects.
Montreal's REM LRT project is currently operational and demonstrating success, indicating that LRT technology can be effective in urban transit systems. Future projects should consider breaking large contracts into smaller ones to enhance competition and execution, although this approach may not guarantee improved outcomes.
Perspectives
Analysis of LRT projects in Canada highlights both their potential and the challenges they face.
Proponents of LRT
- Advocate for LRT as a cost-effective alternative to subways
- Highlight the potential for LRT to accommodate urban growth
- Emphasize the importance of public transit in reducing traffic congestion
Critics of LRT
- Point out the significant delays and budget overruns in LRT projects
- Question the long-term viability of LRTs given future population growth
- Critique the management and execution of LRT projects as problematic
Neutral / Shared
- Acknowledge that LRT technology can be effective in certain contexts
- Recognize the need for transparency and accountability in transit planning
- Discuss the importance of considering local context in transit project planning
Metrics
budget_overrun
over a billion dollars USD
total budget overrun for the Eglinton Crosstown LRT
This significant overrun raises questions about project management and accountability.
it went more than a billion dollars over budget
delay_years
15 years
total time from construction start to opening
Such extensive delays can erode public trust in transit projects.
waiting for this train for 15 years
initial_opening_year
2020 year
original planned opening year
The shift in opening dates indicates poor project forecasting.
supposed to open all the way back in 2020
revised_opening_year
2026 year
actual opening year
The final opening year highlights the extent of project delays.
finally opened to passengers on February 8th, 2026
cost
about a half a billion dollars per kilometer USD
cost to build the Eglinton LRT
High construction costs can limit the feasibility of future transit projects.
it was about a half a billion dollars per kilometer in 2025 dollars
cost
about $120 million a kilometer USD
cost of the east-west subway line built in 1966
Historical costs highlight the dramatic increase in transit construction expenses over time.
it cost in current dollars, about $120 million a kilometer
cost
$460 million per kilometer USD
cost of the recent subway extension finished in 2017
Comparing costs reveals the financial challenges of modern transit infrastructure.
it cost $460 million per kilometer
cost
$3 billion per kilometer CAD
cost of subway construction in New York
This highlights the extreme financial burden of transit projects.
$3 billion per kilometer
Key entities
Timeline highlights
00:00–05:00
The Eglinton Crosstown LRT opened on February 8, 2026, after significant delays and budget overruns. Other cities in Canada also face challenges with LRT projects, raising concerns about their reliability and management.
- The Eglinton Crosstown LRT opened on February 8, 2026, after 15 years and over a billion dollars in overruns, frustrating riders and questioning LRT efficiency
- Cities like Ottawa and Calgary face delays and malfunctions with LRT projects, raising concerns about reliability and management
- LRTs are faster than streetcars and more efficient than buses, aiming to improve urban public transit
- Edmonton was the first Canadian city to implement LRTs, which have gradually been adopted since the 1970s
- Building LRTs is cheaper than subways, especially without underground construction, making them attractive for expanding public transit
- Global adoption of LRTs addresses urban transit needs, balancing cost and efficiency
05:00–10:00
LRT projects in Canada are rapidly expanding as a cost-effective alternative to subways, despite rising construction costs. However, current planning may not adequately consider future population growth, potentially leading to insufficient transit capacity.
- LRTs offer a cost-effective alternative to subways, making them attractive for expanding public transit despite rising construction costs
- Canadian cities are rapidly increasing LRT projects, indicating a growing demand for efficient transit solutions
- Current LRT planning may not account for future population growth, risking inadequate transit capacity
- Focusing solely on subways could limit immediate transit options and hinder urban growth potential
- Escalating costs of transit projects in North America complicate achieving good value for money
- Lavish construction practices contribute to high transit project costs, highlighting the need for efficiency
10:00–15:00
Transit construction costs have significantly increased, making previous pricing unrealistic. The effectiveness of LRTs in cities like Ottawa and Toronto is under scrutiny due to ongoing issues.
- Transit construction costs have skyrocketed, making past pricing unrealistic
- LRTs face significant issues in cities like Ottawa and Toronto, raising doubts about their effectiveness
- BRT is a cheaper alternative to LRT and subways, but requires dedicated lanes for efficiency
- LRTs permanence can encourage urban development, unlike BRTs temporary nature
- The debate over LRT versus BRT centers on cities willingness to allocate space for transit lanes
- LRTs serve different density and ridership needs than buses and subways, and should not be dismissed due to isolated failures
15:00–20:00
LRT projects in Canada are experiencing significant execution challenges, including delays and cost overruns, which raise concerns about their management. Despite these issues, the true effectiveness of these systems will only be determined once they are operational and serving the public.
- LRT projects in Canada face execution problems, leading to delays and cost overruns, but this does not negate their potential benefits
- The effectiveness of LRTs will be judged post-operation, as current controversies may overshadow their intended goals
- The Ontario lines delay reflects unrealistic political promises regarding transit timelines
- The Eglinton Crosstowns public-private partnership model has led to adversarial relationships and complications in execution
- Inexperienced oversight by Metrolinx raises concerns about managing large-scale transit projects
- Eglinton Crosstowns opening has been pushed to 2026, with execution issues and the pandemic contributing to delays
20:00–25:00
Montreal's REM LRT project is currently operational and demonstrating success, indicating that LRT technology can be effective. Future projects should consider breaking large contracts into smaller ones to enhance competition and execution.
- Montreals REM LRT project is functioning well, showing that LRT technology can succeed despite past issues
- Future LRT projects should break large contracts into smaller ones to encourage competition and improve execution
- The lack of a public inquiry into the Eglinton Crosstown raises concerns about transparency and public confidence
- Eglinton LRTs success will depend on its integration into the citys transit system
- Understanding past project failures is essential for improving future transit initiatives
- Metrolinxs reputation could improve with greater public insight into project outcomes
25:00–30:00
Montreal's REM LRT project is currently operational and demonstrating success. This indicates that LRT technology can be effective in urban transit systems.
- Montreals REM LRT project is functioning well, demonstrating that LRT technology can succeed