Ontario Increasing Reliability, Reducing Emissions on Crosstown LRT

Province Building Battery Back-up and Emergency Power System for Eglinton Crosstown LRT Project

Ontario is partnering with Toronto Hydro to build a battery energy storage system for the Eglinton Crosstown light rail transit (LRT) line, which will increase the reliability of the line, lower operating costs, and reduce emissions.

Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca and MPP for York-South Weston Laura Albanese visited the future site of Mount Dennis Station and the LRT maintenance and storage facility today to announce the new partnership.

The power system, which is equivalent to a large battery, will be capable of providing backup and emergency power to the LRT line for up to four hours in the event of a wide-spread power outage, and replaces previous plans for a natural gas facility.

The 19-kilomtere Crosstown LRT will be completed by 2021 and will connect Mount Dennis in the west with Kennedy Station in the east, with a 10-kilometre underground tunnel in its central section.

Ontario is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, public transit, roads and bridges in the province’s history. To learn more about what’s happening in your community, go to Ontario.ca/BuildON.

Investing in public transportation is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.

Quick Facts

• The energy storage system will replace the natural gas-powered backup facility previously proposed, which was to be constructed by Crosslinx Transit Solutions.
• The battery energy storage system will provide more environmental and operating cost savings than a natural gas powered facility. It will store energy that is generated during off-peak hours, such as at night, which is cheaper to purchase and produce. This energy is then available to supply energy needs during the day.
• The 19-kilometre Eglinton Crosstown LRT line will include a 10-kilometre underground portion between Black Creek Drive and Brentcliffe Road, with 25 stations and stops that will link to bus routes, three subway stations, three GO Transit lines, and the Union Pearson Express.