Toronto, ON – [February 9, 2025] – Stretching 19 kilometres across Toronto, Line 5 Eglinton represents one of Canada’s most ambitious transit infrastructure projects—and exemplifies Arcadis’ integrated design and engineering expertise. As part of the Crosslinx Transit Solutions Design (CTSD) consortium, in joint venture with AtkinsRéalis, Arcadis helped deliver a rapid transit system that reimagines the passenger journey, integrating seamlessly into neighbourhoods, and advancing the city’s vision for sustainable, connected mobility.
From street to platform, every element of the passenger experience was designed to be intuitive and connected, responding to the scale of the city, the neighbourhood, and the individual passenger. Arcadis’ approach considered the entire passenger journey—beginning in the public realm and continuing through station entries, concourses, and platforms.
Stations across the corridor share a consistent architectural language featuring glass façades, warm colour palettes, and distinctive canopies that make entrances visible and recognizable from afar. Abundant natural light, tactile materials, and high-contrast paving promote accessibility, while subtle sensory cues—texture, rhythm, and right-hand flow—help users navigate with ease.
Line 5’s technical challenges demanded precision and ingenuity. At Mount Dennis Station, Arcadis engineers successfully relocated the 3,500-tonne heritage (former) Kodak Building No. 9—one of the largest structural moves ever undertaken in Canada—to enable underground construction. Working beneath active rail lines at Mount Dennis and Kennedy Stations, the team deployed real-time monitoring systems capable of detecting micro-movements of less than a millimetre, ensuring public safety and system continuity.
Through creative interventions, including embankment removal and façade integration, Arcadis helped transform constrained sites into transparent, efficient, and welcoming transit spaces.
Line 5 acts as a catalyst for sustainable urban development. At stations such as Mount Dennis, Keelesdale, and Don Valley, Arcadis’ urban design and landscape architecture work supports mixed-use growth and complete streetscapes—featuring wide sidewalks, bike lanes, and plazas that connect transit with the surrounding community.
Architectural elements, such as transparent facades, generous canopies, and plazas with open sightlines, reinforce a people-first approach to mobility, strengthening the link between transit investment and local economic vitality.
Collaboration was embedded in every phase of delivery. Arcadis worked closely with Metrolinx, the City of Toronto, the Toronto Transit Commission, and industry partners through co-located teams and shared decision-making frameworks, aligning architectural design and engineering.
Sustainability was central to Arcadis’ approach. The project introduced Canada’s first green track, reducing stormwater runoff and mitigating the urban heat island effect. At the project’s Maintenance and Storage Facility, Arcadis consolidated the green roof requirement to achieve maximum environmental benefit—setting a new precedent for sustainable transit design in Toronto.
Line 5 Eglinton reflects Arcadis’ commitment to shaping resilient, inclusive, and future-ready cities. Through leadership in design excellence, engineering innovation, and stakeholder collaboration, Arcadis has helped deliver a transit system that not only moves people efficiently—but also connects communities, supports local economies, and enhances the daily experience of millions across Toronto.
