Finch West LRT milestone delivers major civil-construction achievement, showcasing infrastructure work and opening new opportunities for contractors across Canada’s transit-build sector.
Canadian construction contractors with an eye on civil projects have a new landmark to celebrate as Aecon Group Inc. and the Mosaic Transit Group recently announced substantial completion of the Finch West Light Rail Transit (LRT) line in Toronto – the city’s first modern LRT system. It’s a milestone that follows the successful completion of the 30-day Revenue Service Demonstration period confirmed by the Ontario government in late October. With operational control now transferred to the system’s operator, the final public opening date will be determined in the coming months. For contractors who specialize in structural concrete, stations, guideways and maintenance facilities, the project represents a showcase of the complex civil works shaping Canada’s transit future.
Construction excellence
Spanning 10.3 kilometres with 18 stops, the Finch West LRT represents years of coordinated effort across a multidisciplinary team that handled everything from utility relocations and earthworks to major concrete pours for stops, track beds, retaining structures and the LEED Silver–certified maintenance and storage facility.
Aecon President and CEO, Jean-Louis Servranckx, emphasized that the work reflects the company’s purpose-built expertise in delivering and maintaining critical transit infrastructure. He credited the milestone to the dedication of the consortium partners – ACS Infrastructure Canada Inc. and CRH Canada Group Inc. – and to the collaboration with Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario. The achievement highlights continued demand for contractors skilled in the heavy civil trades required for Canada’s expanding transit network.
Long-term investment in urban mobility
Aecon holds a 33.3 per cent interest in both the equity and construction of the Finch West LRT, as well as a 50 per cent stake in its 30-year maintenance term, further reinforcing the company’s long-range commitment to transit infrastructure. Manuel Rivaya, Senior Vice President of Urban Transportation Solutions at Aecon, highlighted the perseverance required to deliver the project, noting the complexities of urban construction, traffic management and multimodal integration.
Once open, the line will provide reliable service from Humber College Station to Finch West Station, linking riders to Toronto’s subway network and connecting with Peel, York Region and GO Transit services. For the construction sector, the sustained investment in interconnected regional transit confirms that concrete-intensive infrastructure will remain central to future Canadian work programs.
Community benefits and economic impact
Beyond its engineering significance, the project delivered on community benefits, generating local jobs, hands-on training opportunities and pathways to long-term skilled employment. The LEED Silver–certified maintenance facility emphasizes the project’s environmental focus, while the transit line itself is poised to support population growth and local economic development along the corridor.
For contractors, Aecon’s milestone signals growing momentum in large-scale transit builds – projects that depend heavily on extensive concrete work, specialized forming and durable civil structures. As the Finch West LRT edges toward public service, it stands as an example of how collaborative project delivery and construction excellence continue to shape Canada’s infrastructure landscape.
