After years of work in Mississauga and Brampton along with various delays on the project, the head of Metrolinx says major construction of the Hazel McCallion LRT is set to extend well into 2027 while insisting progress has been made.
During a Tuesday announcement marking completion of tunnelling on the Eglinton Crosstown West extension, CityNews asked for an update on the 18-kilometre light-rail line after a notice was issued advising crews are set to start putting trains on a small but key segment of tracks.
Michael Lindsay, Metrolinx’s president and CEO, said that trial movements of trains is based on lessons learned during the Eglinton Crosstown and Finch West LRT projects in an effort to speed up “system integration” testing, which is part of the final phase of commissioning a new light-rail line.
“We’ve hit every civil infrastructure milestone we set for ourselves over the course of last year: 75 per cent of the track work is done, guideways (the track bed and tracks) almost done, eight out of 14 traction power substation is now energized (and the) maintenance and storage facility energized,” he said.
“We hope to have all civil infrastructure on this project complete by roughly this time next year, and at that point we’d enter the kind of testing phase that this jurisdiction saw from Eglinton and Finch.”
Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said crews are making in-roads on the project.
“Building transit is difficult, but we’re learning along the way and we continue to make progress,” he said, adding he has seen crews working on weekends.
“It tells you the level of teams we have out there on this line trying to complete it as quickly as possible.”
Despite the upgrade, a more specific timeframe on the final testing and commissioning work wasn’t provided. Based on Line 5 Eglinton and Line 6 Finch West, that essential work could take months — potentially stretching an opening of the 19-stop, $5.4-billion line to the end of 2027 or into 2028.
Beginning as early as Wednesday, trains could beginning moving from the storage yard near Kennedy Road South and Highway 407 to Hurontario Street and Topflight Drive (south of Highway 407), which is the juncture point where all light-rail vehicles will enter and exit service.
As CityNews reported in May 2025, the intersection of Hurontario Street and Topflight Drive was completely ripped up and rebuilt due to “track rework” and deficiencies.
The tendering process began under the previous government in late 2016. Crews for Mobilinx, the private-sector consortium charged with building the Hazel McCallion LRT line, started construction in early 2020, but encountered delays due to COVID-19 and aging infrastructure. During a 2023 tour of the project, officials said at the time the initial goal for substantial completion of the line was 2024.
Mississauga resident and commuter Edward Ramirez said he relies on the bus terminal at the carpool lot beside Hurontario Street and Topflight Drive to make his connecting MiWay bus. He told CityNews the current scheduling along Hurontario Street isn’t helpful, adding sometimes the transfers can result in 30-to-40-minute waits.
As the reconstruction of Hurontario Street and Topflight Drive occurred, Ramirez said he noticed that impact transit services but added things are starting to improve. When it comes to the Hazel McCallion LRT, he said he doesn’t think it will benefit him as much as it will students and other transit-dependant groups of people.
“I find it to be more than it needs to be, but maybe further along we’ll see the benefits,” Ramirez said.
“I hope that it works out better than Finch. I know that was a bit of an issue. I hope further down the line, it becomes faster for people.”
At the Cooksville Business Improvement Area, which encompasses part of the route near Hurontario Street and Dundas Street West, executive director Anna Mikus told CityNews ongoing construction has been a major issue for several small business owners.
“Since the construction, we’ve seen quite a bit of turnover and quite a bit of vacancy within the BIA, within the Cooksville community,” she said.
“The community very excited about the upcoming LRT, but as you know the ongoing construction delays have been a challenge.”
Mikus said she and her members have received some tax relief, but noted they been lobbying the City of Mississauga and the Ontario government for direct financial assistance and the establishment of an advertising fund to draw back customers. She said those calls have gone unanswered so far.
“We really need to make sure that the local businesses survive the next couple of years to ensure that they’re still here to reap the benefits of the LRT,” Mikus said.
“The message is simple: Don’t forget about our local businesses.”
David Wojcik, president and CEO of the Mississauga Board of Trade, said the project will enhance the city’s transportation network, but echoed concerns on the impacts to businesses.
“They’ve been significant … for the businesses to be living under that umbrella for almost 10 years now it’s quite disturbing for them,” he said.
“The mood for this project depends on where you are along the line. If you’re at a pinch point … people aren’t as enthusiastic.”
Wojcik noted the owners of newer commercial and industrial buildings at the north end of the corridor in Mississauga are awaiting the opening of the line to support their workers.
“Please get it done. [The business community has] been anticipating this for many years,” he said while giving some credit to Metrolinx for removing problematic pylons and fences in certain areas.
“Focus on it, do the great job that we know you can do, get it done and we’re looking forward to (the downtown) loop, which will be the next part of the project.”
