A representative of a midtown Toronto district is demanding a formal investigation into why the Eglinton Crosstown LRT has taken well over a decade to build — with still no opening date in sight — while attractions like the forthcoming (although temporary) Rogers Stadium can come to fruition in just a year's time.

Long-time Toronto—St. Paul's Councillor Josh Matlow is bringing his request for Metrolinx "to provide transparency and accountability" about the transit line to City Council this week, writing that a public inquiry is necessary due to the project's continuing delays and ever-ballooning price tag.

"The recent news that the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit won't open in 2024 is yet another disappointing setback for the many Torontonians that live and work along the line that is at least a billion dollars over budget and has been delayed for years," Matlow's motion reads.

"Residents and businesses along 19 kilometres of Eglinton Avenue have been enduring over 12 years of hardship due to the endless construction. They have suffered incredible disruption and unmanageable traffic and safety issues as well as greatly reduced customer traffic, loss of revenue and in many cases business closure."

Torontonians deserve transparency and accountability from the province and Metrolinx. And for these vital transit projects to get done on time, and on budget. My motion coming to council calls for a public inquiry into the Eglinton Crosstown fiasco. https://t.co/NxH1Hk7ixs

— Josh Matlow (@JoshMatlow) October 4, 2024

On social media, he suggested hearing that private infrastructure like Rogers Stadium will be pushed through and completed in a drastically shorter timespan only adds insult to injury for constituents who see that big projects can happen expeditiously when necessary for corporate interests (and Oasis reunion shows).

"If there can be a sudden sense of urgency to complete a stadium to host an Oasis concert, then surely there can be the same (if not greater) resolve to finally complete delayed major transit projects," Matlow wrote on Facebook last week, referencing the hot topic of Toronto traffic, which so many have been seeking solutions for.

While things like a congestion tax and a less-realistic tunnel under 401 are on the table for the congestion issue, there is no end in sight for the ill-fated Crosstown, which, after four years of pushed-back debut dates, will not be opening this year as expected after all.

At least 15 years more I guess 😂😂 it is a really century project😎

— Naki (@coffeebii) April 23, 2024

Following too many false promises that served to make locals even angrier about the line's never-ending, setback-riddled, litigation-filled and exorbitantly costly construction process, Doug Ford and his team instructed Metrolinx to withhold any predicted opening date for Line 5 until it was 100 per cent guaranteed.

The transit agency has now said it will only provide a date three months out, and continues to remain tight-lipped as it releases flashy videos about the route's tech and minor progress to a public that just wants to know when they can finally ride it.

Toronto City Council will consider Matlow's motion on Wednesday.