ABB has been selected to provide key power distribution components for the Eglinton Crosstown project, a new light rail transit line (LRT) in Toronto, Canada.

The project, part of an $8.4bn investment from the Ontario government to expand public transit in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, is reportedly the largest transit infrastructure programme in Canadian history.

ABB will deliver a medium-voltage distribution and traction power system, including gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), and substations. The GIS technology reduces the footprint by almost 40 per cent and provides a practically maintenance-free solution, ABB claims.

Launched by Ontario’s transportation agency Metrolinx, the project is expected to significantly reduce future emissions for a population expected to reach 9.6 million by 2041.

For an area facing this increasing urbanisation and population growth, the expansion will triple the length of the rapid transit service, bringing 81 per cent of rider’s homes within two kilometres of the LRT and decrease greenhouse gas emissions from passenger transportation by 29 per cent per person.

ABB will work in partnership with Crosslinx Transit Solutions Constructors (CTSC), a consortium comprised of SNC-Lavalin, ACS-Dragados, EllisDon and Aecon, to deliver the Eglinton Crosstown project

Construction on the line has started and the service will begin in 2021.

“We are pleased to have ABB onboard for this project, helping us deliver long-term sustainable transportation and better transit for the Greater Toronto Area,” said Eric Mumm, transit systems director, CTSC.”

Delivering power to a modern, sustainable mass transit system is in line with our vision to power Canada’s innovation ecosystem,” added Nathalie Pilon, president of ABB in Canada. “With a strong history of pioneering technology in this field we are pleased to work with the CTSC on this ground-breaking project.”

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