Metrolinx
In January 2025, contractors received notice that all applications for single trip oversize/overweight load permits submitted to the City of Toronto must now include the necessary Metrolinx permit and/or sign-off. This change was effective immediately and applied to all right-of-way construction permit requests.
HCAT & TARBA raised the cost implications and major delays this new process would cause for construction projects and have been advocating in providing more clarity to industry on viable routes and streamlining and fast-tracking approvals through a single-window process and approval.
As a result of ongoing discussions, we have been successful in Metrolinx making the following changes:
- Clarify that Metrolinx approvals are only required if the route crosses their right of way
- Reduce their “zone of influence” around their assets from originally 400m to 60m, automatically reducing the number of reviews by 50%
- Identify intersections along Eglington where an oversize vehicle and load do not exceed 50 tonnes do not require Metrolinx review:
- Dufferin St & Eglinton Ave W
- Avenue Rd & Eglinton Ave W
- Yonge St & Eglinton Ave
- Mt. Pleasant Rd & Eglinton Ave E
- Don Mills Rd & Eglinton Ave E
- Include review timeline and escalation route in automatic email responses to applicants
Further to those immediate changes, Metrolinx is conducting a detailed analysis of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT ECLRT route, intersection by intersection, to identify additional areas that can best accommodate oversize truck movement. Metrolinx is also conducting a similar review for the Finch West LRT project route.
We continue to advocate that Metrolinx standardize its own crossing standards and align them as best as possible with the City
Ministry Of Transportation
In June 2025, MTO notified contractors that review time for single trip O/O permits will now be 15 business days. We told the Ministry that this timeline is NOT acceptable and after several discussions, sent in an official letter (below).
In response, MTO revised its policy and confirmed that their new service standard for single trip O/O permits is 3 business days.
We continue to advocate that permitting be centralized through a single-window service where a company would apply through only one portal to receive municipal, provincial, and agency (e.g. Metrolinx) permits for their route, and we continue to stress the importance of initial consultations with industry before major changes to process and policy like this are made.