The Never-Ending Story: Toronto's Finch LRT and the Agony of Transit Delays

Ah, Finch Avenue. For anyone who lives, works, or simply tries to navigate this busy artery in Toronto’s northwest, the sight of orange construction cones, towering cranes, and dusty barriers has become, well, almost a permanent fixture. It’s been a decade and counting, and the culprit — or perhaps the long-awaited saviour, depending on your perspective — is the Finch West Light Rail Transit line. But let’s be honest, the word “transit” feels a bit ironic when you’re stuck in traffic, watching progress crawl at a snail’s pace.

This isn't just about a bit of roadwork, though. The Finch LRT, a 11-kilometre stretch connecting Humber College to Finch West subway station, has had a truly tortuous journey. Think of it as a political football kicked around by successive governments, each with their own grand ideas. It was first announced back in 2009 as light rail under the Liberals, then almost cancelled, then revived. Then came Doug Ford’s provincial government, which, true to form, mulled over scrapping it for a subway — a classic move, really — before deciding to stick with LRT, albeit a slightly truncated version. It’s enough to make your head spin, isn’t it?

Now, we're looking at a projected opening sometime in late 2024 or early 2025. Just imagine the sighs of relief that will ripple across the community if that actually happens. But let's not forget the human cost of this endless saga. Small businesses along Finch have endured years of diminished foot traffic, restricted parking, and the general misery that comes with operating next to a perpetual construction zone. Some have simply thrown in the towel. And residents? They've dealt with noise, dust, detours, and the constant feeling of living in a state of suspended animation, waiting for the promise of better transit to finally materialize.

The Finch LRT isn't an isolated incident, either. It’s part of a worrying pattern that’s become all too familiar in Toronto. Just look at the Eglinton Crosstown, another behemoth project plagued by delays, cost overruns, and, frankly, what feels like an eternity of construction. These aren’t just infrastructure projects; they're tests of public patience and trust. When plans shift with every election cycle, and timelines stretch into the horizon, people start to lose faith in the ability of their leaders to deliver on basic promises.

What Toronto desperately needs, and what the Finch West LRT saga so clearly highlights, is a consistent, long-term vision for transit planning. One that transcends political colours and personal preferences. We need projects that are thoughtfully conceived, properly funded, and then, crucially, seen through to completion without constant meddling. Until then, we’ll likely continue to see our city’s progress hobbled by these drawn-out dramas, leaving communities in limbo and making every new transit announcement feel less like a promise and more like a gamble.