Crosslinx Transit Solutions says the planned eight-week closure of Leslie St. at Eglinton Ave. in July and August is necessary to get the right-of-way and LRT tracks laid properly. To do the work over a longer period with Leslie open, says Crosslinx Communications Director Kristin Jenkins, would produce a flawed system. “There would be joints in the track guideway and the system would require more frequent repairs,” she said. There has been much concern expressed on social media such as Leaside Community Facebook group about the closure. Jenkins provided some details on what the closure may look like:
- Leslie will be closed to vehicles at Eglinton but Eglinton will remain open throughout the work.
- Pedestrian traffic will be maintained from Leslie to Eglinton. This will permit cyclists to walk their bikes across the closure and ride and to and from Sunnybrook Park
- The 51 Leslie bus will loop at Eglinton.
- The 54 Lawrence East bus will be re-routed to Don Mills Rd.
Jenkins said general north-south access in Leaside and to the east will improve by June as there will be no turn restrictions at both Bayview and Don Mills. All lanes will be open at Don Mills and additional southbound and eastbound lanes will open up at Bayview.
