‘Open heart surgery’: Metrolinx interim CEO warns of upcoming subway construction disruption
Global News
In his speech to the Board of Trade, Metrolinx CEO Michael Lindsay said while progress might seem "incremental," transit projects are moving forward.
The interim-CEO of Ontario’s transit planning agency believes greater communication about ongoing construction projects, coupled with “around the clock” work will help residents tolerate the “open heart surgery” being performed on Toronto streets.
During a speech to the Toronto Region Board of Trade Michael Lindsey, who was appointed interim CEO of Metrolinx in December, also suggested the agency is showing “humility” as it moves away from fixed-price, or P3, contracts in order to avoid painful transit construction delays similar to the Eglinton Crosstown LRT.
Lindsay also told the business-focused audience that Metrolinx will need to “think quickly” about future contracts in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and a cross-Canadian desire to diversify economic relationships.
Lindsay took over as interim-CEO of Metrolinx after the former chief executive Phil Verster left the agency in December. The Ford government faced frequent calls for Verster’s dismissal over delayed and problematic LRT projects.
“These projects have long gestation periods, therefore it can be it can be difficult to perceive the incremental progress that is happening,” Lindsey said. “Progress is happening.”
Lindsay pointed to the Ontario Line which, the agency says, is entering a crucial “year of digging” along portions of the 15.6-kilometre subway route.
“That’s another huge challenge that I think collectively we’re going to have to manage,” Lindsey said. “The risk of public disruption as we do effectively open-heart surgery on the city.”
Lindsey advocated for a multi-government approach to speed up permitting and to better coordinate service interruptions and road closures to minimize the impact.
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