🚈 Continuing LRT Month at GTA Weekly! Every Sunday in May, our Next Stop editorial series spotlights a different light rail transit (LRT) project across the Greater Toronto Area. This week, we’re heading east to Scarborough to explore one of the city’s most crucial—and visionary—transit proposals: the Eglinton East LRT (EELRT).
A Revival of a Long-Overdue Line
Originally proposed as part of Transit City in the 2000s, the Eglinton East LRT was shelved after the Scarborough Subway Extension took political priority. Meanwhile, the Scarborough RT (Line 3)—once the area’s primary rapid transit line—was permanently decommissioned in 2023 after over 35 years in operation, leaving a significant gap in east-end transit service.
The EELRT is now positioned as the long-overdue solution to fill that gap. The City of Toronto and Metrolinx have revisited the route with updated plans to ensure better transit equity and coverage in Scarborough.
Proposed Route Highlights
The current plan is to build a 15-kilometre LRT line starting from Kennedy Station, traveling east along Eglinton Avenue East, then northeast on Kingston Road, and north along Morningside Avenue, ending at Malvern Town Centre. The route will include critical stops such as:
- Eglinton & Markham Road
- Kingston & Galloway
- University of Toronto Scarborough Campus (UTSC)
- Sheppard & Morningside
- Malvern Town Centre
Extending the Vision: Toronto Zoo and Beyond
Transit advocates have proposed extending the EELRT even further to better serve Toronto’s east end. A popular vision includes running the line northeast from Malvern to the Toronto Zoo, offering a sustainable and efficient transit option to a major tourist and recreational destination. Beyond the zoo, a potential extension into Durham Region—connecting to Pickering Town Centre—has also been floated.
This type of regional thinking aligns with the GTA’s growing demand for cross-boundary transit. A connection to the zoo and Pickering would serve a wider swath of residents while strengthening regional economic ties and reducing reliance on car travel.
Why It Matters
The EELRT isn’t just about transit—it’s about equity. Scarborough residents have long suffered from limited rapid transit options, especially in the northeast. This project would:
- Bring fast, reliable LRT service to underserved communities
- Support students and staff commuting to UTSC
- Provide future-ready connections to key attractions like the Toronto Zoo
- Link with GO Transit, TTC buses, and eventually Line 2 and 5 for regional integration
The Bigger Picture
If built, the Eglinton Crosstown LRT would be one of the longest LRT lines in the city and a model for community-focused transit development. It would connect with several other regional projects including:
- SmartTrack
- Scarborough Subway Extension
- Future Sheppard Subway Extensions
By integrating with Kennedy Station and Eglinton GO, the line would help solidify Scarborough as a critical hub in the GTA transit network.
Current Status
As of early 2025, the EELRT is in advanced planning stages. Design and environmental assessment work continues, and the City of Toronto is expected to finalize funding and delivery models in the near future. No construction start date has been announced.
However, strong local advocacy and clear alignment with the city’s transit equity goals give this project significant momentum.
What’s Next?
As Next Stop continues, we’ll track how the EELRT evolves and keep pushing for bold solutions that connect every corner of the GTA.
🛤️ Next Stop is GTA Weekly’s weekly Sunday spotlight on the future of transit in the Greater Toronto Area. From subways to LRTs to GO expansions, we dig into the projects shaping how we move. Follow us @GTAWeeklyNews for more on Toronto’s transit transformation.
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