Infrastructure TRANSPORT
August 12, 2025 835
Line 5: Crosstown stations to change the accessibility of Little Jamaica
In Little Jamaica, one of the most culturally lively areas of Toronto, an unprecedented degree of mobility will later come this year-we hope that the lengthy opening of Eginton Line 5. Within the borders of the area that extends from Black Creek Drive in the west to all expressway in the east, this year will be expected. Soon, in one of the most important north-south streets in the region, the residents can increase in a light rail vehicle in less than 30 minutes and reach the city center. At the same time, a large revision of the local bus network is planned to better combine the residents with the new Rapid transit stations and to improve connections between the residential areas and industrial areas along Eginton West.
View east via the Fairbank Station, at the intersection of the Duffer Street and the Eglinton Avenue West, picture with the kind permission of Metrolinx
Little Jamaica will enjoy the advantages of Eglinton Line 5 for the coming years, but the last decade of the construction has made immense challenges in the neighborhood. An already heavily overloaded street, road closures to facilitate the station box and the tunnel construction, brought the Eglinton Avenue to a standstill for years, which makes the area unattractive. The problem of too many people (or rather too many cars) is apparently replaced by an even more urgent problem in early 2020, a complete lack of people. Pandemic closures recorded cities around the world from public spaces, and Toronto was no exception. Little Jamaica, a community that was faced with many years of social and economic challenges, was particularly difficult. The construction work continued, but the fences, machines and excavations remained, with the once busy Eglinton Avenue West conveyed a feeling of the task that was only worsened by the ever larger number of free shop fronts, since lengthy companies were forced to close the business.
The intersection of the Oakwood Avenue and the Eglinton Avenue West, in the middle of the LRT building in 2021, picture of CBC's “Critics Slam” ridiculous “decision to” exclude Little Jamaica from the obligatory affordable housing plan “”
In order to curb this wave of decline, local corporate and interest representative organizations are committed to the town hall and metrolinx for greater support. The reaction was lukewarm, but when the construction work decreased and the pandemic decreased, the great public security and traffic problems did not leave, although it did not strain to tribute. By the beginning of 2025, over 140 companies had already closed, and the Caribbean population in the neighborhood continued to increase due to great increases in housing costs. It remains to be seen whether the area continues as a pulsating center of Jamaican culture or is only maintained “Little Jamaica” as an allusion to its history, similar to the former cultural enclaves of Little Malta and Corktown.
After completing most constructions on the street in 2023, the Eglinton Avenue West with an improved public area and increased cycle traces about CBCs “Blind Advocates say a bicycle track design on this Danger of Toronto Street”
In the future, Eglinton Avenue West will be ready to see a massive influx of new residents and investments with a breathtaking skyline. Almost two dozen development applications are in progress near the Fairbank station, with numerous suggestions in over 40 floors. In order to support this new density, transport improvements beyond the construction of the Eglinton line 5. Recently, bike tracks were installed along the Eglinton Avenue, and the construction begins on a new Barrie Go line stop in the Caledonia Station. The region's bus network will also be re -configured to improve the connections, and the following cancellation, expansion, creation and retirement for the neighborhood after the opening of the Eglinton line 5:
Oakwood station
90 Vaughan: The 90 Vaughan will see a small but important expansion to ensure that both terms are due to fast transit stations. The 90 is now renamed the Cedarvale Station (currently Eglinton West to open in line 5) at the University of Line 1 and will drive briefly along the Eglinton Avenue West and Oakwood Avenue to reach Vaughan Road. From here the 90 will continue its existing run and the length of the Vaughan Road before they turn into the St. Clair Avenue West to reach their southern term in the St. Clair West station at the University Line 1.
Fairbank station
929/29 Dufferin: The 29 Duffer Local and 929 Duffer Express buses are not changed with the opening of Eglinton line 5. The boarding road on the Eglinton Avenue now offer direct connections to the Fairbank station on the Eginton line 5.
A 29 Dufferin bus crosses the intersection of the Dundas Street West and the Duffer Street, picture with the kind permission of the city of Toronto
Caledonia Station
18 Kaledonia: The 18 Kaledonia will be a new Bussstraße that takes over the northern corridor of the current 47 Lansdowne bus. The 18 bus starts at Caledonia station on Eglinton Line 5 and drives along the Caledonia Road before branching off to 18a and 18b. The 18a will travel along the Bridgeland Avenue to reach the Yorkdale Mall before completing the Yorkdale Road and returning to the Caledonia Station in the Eglinton Line 5. The 18b will drive the same route except that it uses the Orfus Road to reach the Yorkdale Mall, in contrast to the Bridgeland Avenue.
47 Lansdowne: The 47 Lansdowne is shortened in length and no longer runs north of the Eginton Avenue. This part of the 47 corridor is taken over by the new 18 Caledonia bus. The revised 47 will now drive from its northern term in the Caledonia Station at the Eginton Line 5 towards the southern term in Queen Street West along the Caledonia Road, St. Clair Avenue West and Lansdowne Avenue.
Keelesdale station
158 Trethewey: The 32c Eginton West is converted into an independent route that comes from the Keelesdale station on Eginton line 5.
164 Castlefield: The 164 Castlefield is a new route that comes in the east at the Cedarvale station on Eginton Line 5 and University Line 1, which is now known as Eglinton West Station. It will mainly travel along the Castlefield Avenue and the Roselawn Avenue before you arrive at your western term in the Keelesdale Station at Eginton Line 5. The 164 will also travel briefly along Kincort Street, the Danesbury Avenue, Marlee Avenue and the Keele Street and the Keele Street to reach their terms.
A bus gets passengers at the intersection of the Oakwood Avenue and the Eglinton Avenue West, picture with the kind permission of the TTC
This article is the third in a series in which the planned bus service changes are examined, which are accompanied by the opening of Eglinton Line 5, with the adjustments in every affected neighborhood complete a number of adjustments. Here you will find our previous story at Mount Dennis Station. Urbantoronto will continue to follow progress in Eginton Line 5. In the meantime, however, you can find out more from our database files that are linked below. If you want, you can join the conversation in the associated Project Forum Threads or leave a comment in the room provided on this page.
* * *
Urbantoronto has a research service, UtPro, which delivers comprehensive data on development projects in the Greater Golden Horseshoe – from the proposal to completion. We also offer immediate reports, downloadable snapshots based on the location, and a daily subscription newsletter, New Development Insider, which pursues projects from the first application.



