The Eglinton Crosstown LRT could open in early 2022 without one of its key stations, according to a new plan pitched by the group building the transit project.

Crosslinx Transit Solutions, the consortium responsible for the construction of the $5.3 billion project, is considering a phased opening of the LRT that would see operations on most of the line begin by the end of February 2022, according to The Toronto Star, which first published news of the new plan.

As part of the phased plan, Eglinton Station would reportedly not be ready to open until September 2022.

Crosslinx spokesperson Kristin Jenkins told CP24 on Friday that the plan has been proposed to Metrolinx but the two sides have not yet reached an agreement on how to proceed or when the line will be ready to open.

Metrolinx spokesperson Anne Marie Aikins said the provincial transit agency does not support opening the LRT without Eglinton Station.

“The ability for passengers to get on or off at the flagship station at Yonge and Eglinton, where tens of thousands of passengers will transfer on a daily basis between the Eglinton Crosstown and the TTC Line 1 Subway, is critical and part of the obligations Crosslinx took on when it signed the contract,” she said in a written statement emailed to CP24.

Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster also released a statement Friday, expressing frustration over Crosslinx's failure to deliver the project on time.

“We’re disappointed this project is late. Metrolinx is focused on ensuring that CTS fully meets its obligations to deliver a system as soon as possible – a system that is complete, fully tested and ready to provide high quality, safe and reliable service to our customers,” the statement read.

“We acknowledge that the extended construction period has been difficult for communities and businesses along the corridor to endure. Metrolinx will continue to keep the public informed over the next year on CTS’s progress and what the projected completion date will be. It’s imperative that CTS now focuses on getting this project completed, to the highest quality standard. Metrolinx will continue to hold CTS accountable for these delays.”

The development comes after Metrolinx confirmed earlier this year that a series of delays has pushed the completion date of the project into 2022.

The 19-kilometre rapid transit line was scheduled to be completed by September 2021 but Verster previously said delays have pushed back the opening until sometime in 2022.

A firm date for opening was not provided at that time.

A number of issues contributed to the delay, Verster said, including delays with confirming design work packages and a "defect" that was discovered under Eglinton Station.

"Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario are not making any precise predictions of the project completion date at this point, simply because CTS must prove to us that they can achieve the new production rates they say they can achieve. It is important to note that the project remains within budget,” Verster said in February.