Tunnelling preparation complete for Yonge North Subway Extension

What happened

• Excavation of the tunnel launch shaft for the Yonge North Subway Extension is complete, and the site is ready for tunnel boring machines to start digging the twin tunnels.

Where and who this affects

• The project extends TTC Line 1 nearly eight kilometres north from Finch Station into Vaughan, Markham and Richmond Hill (York Region).
• It is expected to serve more than 94,000 riders each day and place nearly 23,000 jobs within walking distance of transit.

By the numbers (from the release)

• Five new stations: Steeles, Clark, Royal Orchard, Bridge and High Tech.
• Crews excavated almost 70,000 cubic metres of soil; the launch shaft is about 10 metres deep and used 11,000 cubic metres of concrete and 860 tonnes of steel reinforcement.
• Construction supports about 4,300 jobs per year and the project is said to generate over $3.6 billion in economic benefits.
• Federal contribution reported as $2.24 billion.
• Estimated annual reduction: ~7,700 vehicle-kilometres during rush hour and more than 4,800 tonnes fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

Next steps

• The province has issued a request for proposals for design and construction of stations, tracks and support systems, and crews are relocating utilities ahead of tunnelling and station work.

Why it matters

• This milestone moves the project closer to providing faster, more reliable transit, shortening trips for many riders, supporting jobs during construction, and aiming to reduce congestion and emissions in York Region.