Andy Takagi
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andytakagi.bsky.social
Andy Takagi
@andytakagi.bsky.social
520 followers 64 following 25 posts
(he/him) Transportation Reporter @ the Toronto Star
Have a tip? Email me at [email protected]
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andytakagi.bsky.social
After 15 years of construction, the Eglinton Crosstown is finally open!
My life has been consumed by Crosstown coverage over the past few months, (as I assume yours has been, too) so here's a quick recap of my work for the Toronto Star:
February 8, 2026 at 5:54 PM
andytakagi.bsky.social
The long-winding saga for the Eglinton Crosstown LRT goes back further than you think...
Check out this super fun and interactive timeline made by McKenna Hart with words from me!

thestar.com/interactives... via
@thestar.com
Relive the twists and turns in the Eglinton LRT’s 50-year odyssey before Sunday’s launch — if you’re game
For more than five decades, rapid transit along Eglinton Avenue has been a must-have in any city plan. What took it so long?
thestar.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:29 PM
andytakagi.bsky.social
Here it is: the inside story of how the Eglinton Crosstown LRT went off the rails.
This was the result of months of work, research and sourcing.

www.thestar.com/news/gta/off...
Off the rails: The inside story of how the Eglinton Crosstown LRT went from transit dream to cautionary tale
Over the past decade and a half, the Crosstown has cast a shadow on a swath of Toronto and becoming, to many, a symbol of the city’s inability to fulfil its potential.
www.thestar.com
January 31, 2026 at 2:46 PM
andytakagi.bsky.social
The Eglinton Crosstown has entered its final day of testing, Metrolinx’s CEO announced this morning. Still no opening date or timeline.

www.thestar.com/news/gta/egl...
Eglinton Crosstown LRT enters last day of testing
Metrolinx CEO Michael Lindsay declined to say whether the long-delayed line would open this year, or provide any timeline for an opening date.
www.thestar.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:50 PM
andytakagi.bsky.social
BREAKING: Eglinton Crosstown LRT testing stopped — source says two trains collided www.thestar.com/news/gta/egl... via @thestar.com
#onpoli #topoli
Eglinton Crosstown LRT testing stopped — source says two trains collided
The Eglinton Crosstown LRT had begun its final round of testing on Oct. 7, but two trains collided in the Mount Dennis train yard on Thursday, leading to a pause in the test, according to a source.
www.thestar.com
October 21, 2025 at 6:37 PM
andytakagi.bsky.social
NEW: Ford government promises to keep Bloor bike lane while restoring lane for traffic

thestar.com/news/gta/for... via @thestar.com

#onpoli #TOpoli
Ford government promises to keep Bloor bike lane while restoring lane for traffic
Ontario’s transportation minister says a vehicle lane will be restored on the 500-metre stretch of Bloor Street West between Resurrection Road and Clissold Road.
thestar.com
October 9, 2025 at 2:54 PM
andytakagi.bsky.social
The Finch West LRT will begin a 30-day revenue test on Saturday, beating the Eglinton Crosstown to a major milestone
www.thestar.com/news/gta/fin... via @thestar.com
#TOpoli #ONpoli
Finch West LRT beats Eglinton Crosstown to a major milestone
The date for revenue service testing was published in a TTC memo sent to staff that was leaked to social media.
www.thestar.com
September 16, 2025 at 7:15 PM
andytakagi.bsky.social
Commuting sucks, but I want to know why and what we can do about it!
In my new series for the Toronto Star, I'm retracing the steps of everyday Torontonians to find the worst commute in the city.
You can check out my first in the series here:
www.thestar.com/news/gta/sti...
Sticky floors, damp seats, blaring TikToks first thing in the morning: Is this Toronto’s worst commute?
The Star is testing Torontonians’ commutes to find the worst in the city. First up: Alisha, a social worker who makers her trip in from Scarborough to downtown every day.
www.thestar.com
September 15, 2025 at 3:24 PM
andytakagi.bsky.social
Controversial bus lanes on Bathurst and Dufferin could see changes following backlash www.thestar.com/news/gta/con... via @thestar.com
Controversial bus lanes on Bathurst and Dufferin could see changes following backlash
Proposed bus lanes on Bathurst and Dufferin streets have sparked a debate over how to prioritize road space.
www.thestar.com
July 9, 2025 at 3:07 PM
andytakagi.bsky.social
🚊 My latest: Star Exclusive
Eglinton Crosstown LRT documents reveal potential plans for opening, possible delays

www.thestar.com/news/gta/egl... via @thestar.com
Eglinton Crosstown LRT documents reveal potential plans for opening, possible delays
Confidential documents viewed by the Star show that testing of the Crosstown could extend beyond the expected opening date of September.
www.thestar.com
June 26, 2025 at 7:52 PM
andytakagi.bsky.social
‘This is the largest award of compensation that I have seen’: Metrolinx ordered to pay tens of millions of dollars more than what it first offered for Ontario Line site www.thestar.com/news/gta/thi... via @thestar.com
‘This is the largest award of compensation that I have seen’: Metrolinx ordered to pay tens of millions of dollars more than what it first offered for Ontario Line site
The provincial transit agency had initially appraised the property in Corktown at $46 million — instead it was ordered to pay nearly double.
www.thestar.com
June 12, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Reposted by Andy Takagi
emmamci.bsky.social
Ontario Line construction has unleashed a rat problem for some residents living nearby. Metrolinx has promised to pay for exterminators — but many say they’ve been left with the bill. From @andytakagi.bsky.social and me:
www.thestar.com/news/investi...
Ontario Line construction unleashed rats into her home. But Metrolinx has not footed the full bill — and won’t tell her why
After Ontario Line work unleashed rats into a retiree’s home, Metrolinx promised to pay for the exterminator. The agency hasn’t said why the payment was $1,000 short.
www.thestar.com
June 8, 2025 at 7:02 PM
andytakagi.bsky.social
From @robertbenzie.bsky.social and me:
Metrolinx parts ways with consulting firm that worked on the Eglinton Crosstown and Ottawa LRTs: sources www.thestar.com/news/gta/met... via @thestar.com
Metrolinx parts ways with consulting firm that worked on the Eglinton Crosstown and Ottawa LRTs: sources
The consulting firm and its owner, Brian Guest, were the subject of scrutiny in 2022 when Guest was awarded a vice-president title at Metrolinx.
www.thestar.com
May 30, 2025 at 6:29 PM
andytakagi.bsky.social
Scoop from me:
TTC chooses new CEO, nearly a year after Rick Leary’s resignation: sources

www.thestar.com/news/gta/ttc... via @thestar.com
TTC chooses new CEO, nearly a year after Rick Leary’s resignation: sources
Mandeep Lali, with experience working for New York and London’s transit agencies, has been picked by the chair of the TTC board to take over as the new head of Toronto’s beleaguered transit agency.
www.thestar.com
May 29, 2025 at 5:24 PM
andytakagi.bsky.social
The battle for a bus lane: Why rapid transit on this Toronto street is sparking backlash
www.thestar.com/news/gta/the... via @thestar.com
https://thestar.com/news/gta/the-b…
May 19, 2025 at 1:52 PM
andytakagi.bsky.social
ICYMI: Metrolinx quietly drops Deutsche Bahn, Aecon from multibillion-dollar GO expansion project
thestar.com/news/gta/metro… via @thestar.com
https://thestar.com/news/gta/metro…
May 17, 2025 at 1:16 PM
andytakagi.bsky.social
A summer of streetcar chaos is almost upon us. And TTC riders are already frustrated: 'Is this the best plan?'

www.thestar.com/news/gta/a-s...
A summer of streetcar chaos is almost upon us. And TTC riders are already frustrated: ‘Is this the best plan?’
Three heavily used downtown streetcars routes are all being funnelled along the same stretch of Queen Street to allow for maintenance and construction.
www.thestar.com
May 5, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Reposted by Andy Takagi
thestar.com
#Breaking: Court grants injunction pausing bike lane removals on Bloor, University and Yonge
Court grants injunction pausing bike lane removals on Bloor, University and Yonge
The pause on any bike lane removals will continue until the judge in the Charter challenge case issues his decision.
www.thestar.com
April 22, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Reposted by Andy Takagi
benspurr.bsky.social
From me and @andytakagi.bsky.social: Company at centre of Gardiner Expressway lawsuit could face ban on city contracts www.thestar.com/news/gta/con...
Contractor at centre of Gardiner Expressway lawsuit could face ban on city contracts
Montreal-based WSP currently has 88 active contracts with Toronto totaling nearly $175 million, according to the city.
www.thestar.com
April 24, 2025 at 8:38 PM
andytakagi.bsky.social
Metrolinx wanted to pay $14 million to expropriate a Liberty Village property for the Ontario Line. A tribunal ruled they owed millions more thestar.com/real-estate/me… from
VictoriaGibson and me
https://thestar.com/real-estate/me…
March 26, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Reposted by Andy Takagi
thestar.com
#Breaking: Doug Ford’s removal of Toronto bike lanes can start in March, court rules
Doug Ford’s removal of Toronto bike lanes can start in March, court rules
CycleTO had sought a temporary injunction to stop the Doug Ford government from ripping up Toronto bike lanes before a Charter challenge that’s scheduled to be heard on April 16.
www.thestar.com
March 14, 2025 at 5:04 PM
andytakagi.bsky.social
🚨Big news to kick off the year: I’m taking over as the Transportation Reporter for @torontostar.bsky.social covering everything traffic, transit, and train-related.
DM or email me all your tips, complaints, or maybe even some heart-warming stories here or at [email protected]
January 13, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Reposted by Andy Takagi
rdassaly.bsky.social
More interesting, though, is the Superman creator's deep connections to Toronto (and the Toronto Star). Didn't know this! via @andytakagi.bsky.social

www.thestar.com/entertainmen...
Superman has deep connections to Toronto. Here’s how the city (and the Star) helped make the Man of Steel
Toronto was the birthplace of Superman creator Joe Shuster, whose time working as a newsboy at the Toronto Daily Star inspired the superhero's journalist alter ego Clark Kent.
www.thestar.com
December 19, 2024 at 5:56 PM