Eglinton East LRT: Project Background

As part of the City’s transit expansion, the Eglinton East LRT (EELRT) will bring higher order transit to historically underserved areas of Scarborough including eight Neighbourhood Improvement Areas, and create more transportation options in eastern Scarborough by conveniently connecting to other rapid transit services including Line 2, Line 5, the Line 3 Busway, GO Transit and the proposed Sheppard Extension and proposed Durham Scarborough BRT (DSBRT). The EELRT is also referred to as the TTC future Line 7.

The EELRT is more than a transit project. It is a transformative opportunity to bring significant public realm improvements throughout eastern Scarborough.

In addition to improved transit, the EELRT (future Line 7) will bring extensive public realm improvements along the route informed by the City’s Complete Streets guidelines and design principles which will include protected bikeways, wider sidewalks, multi-use paths, new and extended roadways, and greenery.

Light Rail Transit (LRT) is a form of rapid transit that operates electric vehicles, usually powered by overhead cables. Modern LRT is designed to run faster than transit in mixed traffic by using exclusive or semi-exclusive guideways. The EELRT will operate in the centre of the roadway on its own dedicated guideway.

The benefits of LRT include:

  • Electric-powered service with fixed rails in dedicated lanes
  • Passenger capacity to suit future demand
  • Express service, 1 – 2 stops/stations per kilometre
  • Smooth operations for rider comfort
  • Moderate construction cost and impacts as well as reduced construction duration

An example of an LRT from Finch West LRT. The vehicle is 48 metres long, has a seating capacity of 120 passengers and a maximum capacity of 292 passengers.

The proposed route alignment of the Eglinton East LRT (EELRT / future Line 7) is an expansion of the approved Scarborough-Malvern LRT Environmental Assessment (EA) that was completed in 2009 for Transit City and further consulted on between 2017 and 2019 as part of a proposed Scarborough Transit Network Plan. The current plan provides expanded rapid transit access east of Kennedy Station, through the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus as well as to Malvern via Sheppard Avenue and including McCowan Road.

Project Timeline

  • 2009: Scarborough-Malvern LRT (SMLRT) initial design and Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP)
  • 2010: Transit City initiative cancelled; SMLRT project put on hold
  • 2016: City Council directs staff to update 2009-approved SMLRT concept to 5 per cent design and rename project Eglinton East LRT (EELRT)
  • 2017: City initiates early conceptual design and planning process for EELRT
  • 2018: City Council approves the alignment along Military Trail through the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus (UTSC)  and requests staff to consider a recommended extension to Malvern
  • 2019: City acknowledges funding for four priority subway projects, including a modified 3-stop Line 2 extension (Scarborough Subway Extension) to Sheppard opening in 2029/30
  • 2019: City Council approves EELRT alignment to Malvern and public and stakeholder engagement on early conceptual design and planning
  • 2020: City Council directs staff to advance EELRT design to 10 per cent, complete Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP), and continue discussions with UTSC on Maintenance Storage Facility (MSF) location
  • 2022: EELRT Scarborough Subway Extension (SSE) interface constructability assessment informs Council direction for a separate service connecting to the Eglinton Crosstown and expansion of the EELRT to Sheppard/McCowan. Council also confirmed preference for Conlins Yard Maintenance and Storage Facility site at 8300 Sheppard Avenue East
  • 2024: City completes the functional 10 per cent design for the EELRT, drafts the Environmental Project Report and launches a Transit and Rail Project Assessment Process (TRPAP) as required by Ontario Regulation 231/08.

Public Consultation

Extensive Public Consultation for EELRT planning took place between 2016 – 2019 resulting in the project extension to Malvern. In addition, we heard the following:

  • Make good connections to existing and planned transit in Scarborough
  • Provide good planning for amenities and public spaces along the corridor (e.g., seating area, wider sidewalks, more trees along the corridor)
  • Manage traffic and improve accessibility and the experience for pedestrians
  • Prioritize local access to LRT stops along the corridor
  • Create gathering spaces, public spaces, civic spaces

The 2019 Public Consultation report is available on request.

View the 2023 Consultation Report on the Public Consultation page.

In December 2023, City Council approved staff recommendations for the alignment (route) and stop locations for the Eglinton East Light Rail Transit project. Next steps include the initiation of an environmental assessment specific to public transit projects known as Transit and Rail Project Assessment Process Regulation (Ontario Regulation 231/08).

The process has a time-limited, streamlined opportunity to assess potential environmental impacts and proposed mitigation measures. As part of the process, an Environmental Project Report (EPR) is being prepared that includes detailed studies and evaluation of the potential project impacts as well as proposed measures to mitigate the impacts. The process involves an assessment period that can last up to 185 days, which includes opportunities for public feedback, and a 35-day period of review by the provincial Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP).

The Transit and Rail Project Assessment Process ensures that project impacts are communicated to the public and that the public has an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments and feedback on project benefits and impacts.

The Transit and Rail Project Assessment Process is required by the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) and includes a comprehensive public review process.

There are six steps identified in the functional 10 per cent design review process:

  1. Identify and evaluate solutions for the functional 10 per cent design. Completed.
  2. Phase One Public Consultation from May 15 to June 21, 2023. Completed.
  3. Report to Council. Completed.
  4. Launch Transit and Rail Project Assessment Process (TRPAP) and Complete Environmental Project Report (EPR).
  5. Phase Two Public Consultation expected in spring 2024. *We are here*
  6. Finalize the Environmental Project Report (EPR).

For information on how to provide feedback as part of the Transit and Rail Project Assessment Process for EELRT (future Line 7) project, refer to the section on Public Consultation.

The vision of transit in Scarborough is to improve local accessibility, provide more transit options for residents and commuters and to support the development of more connected and complete communities. As part of this vision, the EELRT will include convenient connections to the TTC bus network as well as to the following existing and proposed rapid transit:

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