Yonge North Subway Extension Reaches Major Construction Milestone

Tunnel launch shaft excavation clears the way for future tunnelling on the Yonge North Subway Extension

YORK REGION — Major construction on the Yonge North Subway Extension has reached a new milestone with crews completing excavation of the tunnel launch shaft that will support future tunnelling beneath York Region.

The planned extension will carry TTC Line 1 nearly eight kilometres north from Finch Station, bringing additional subway service to communities in Vaughan, Markham and Richmond Hill.

Two tunnel boring machines will eventually be launched from the newly excavated shaft to construct twin tunnels measuring approximately 6.3 kilometres.

Crews remove nearly 70,000 cubic metres of soil

According to the Ontario government, crews removed almost 70,000 cubic metres of soil while preparing the launch shaft.

The structure extends approximately 10 metres below ground and required 11,000 cubic metres of concrete and 860 tonnes of reinforcing steel.

“Completing excavation at the Yonge North Subway Extension’s tunnel launch shaft and inviting qualified teams to bid on the project’s final major contract reflect a growing momentum building behind this extension,” Metrolinx President and CEO Michael Lindsay said.

Utility relocation is also underway ahead of future tunnelling and station construction.

The province recently issued a request for proposals to qualified teams for the design and construction of the extension’s stations, tracks and supporting systems.

Five stations planned for the extension

The Yonge North Subway Extension is expected to add five stations to the transit network:

• Steeles
• Clark
• Royal Orchard
• Bridge
• High Tech

Bridge Station is planned as a regional transit hub connecting subway passengers with GO Transit trains, GO buses and regional and local bus services.

The project is expected to serve more than 94,000 daily riders while placing approximately 23,000 jobs within walking distance of rapid transit.

Ontario estimates that construction will support approximately 4,300 jobs annually and generate more than $3.6 billion in economic benefits.

New subway connections for York Region

Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said the extension will bring subway service to Markham and Richmond Hill while improving access to employment and housing.

“The Yonge North Subway Extension will bring subway service to Markham and Richmond Hill for the first time ever, relieving gridlock and connecting thousands of people to housing and good-paying jobs,” Sarkaria said.

Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca said the project will provide Vaughan with a second subway connection while strengthening links between the city, Toronto and surrounding communities.

Richmond Hill Mayor David West described the completed excavation as another step toward realizing York Region’s longstanding goal of extending subway service north.

Governments share project funding

The federal government is contributing $2.24 billion toward the Yonge North Subway Extension.

The project forms part of Ontario’s broader $70-billion public-transit expansion program, which also includes the Ontario Line, Scarborough Subway Extension and Eglinton Crosstown West Extension.

Once operational, the Yonge North Subway Extension is expected to reduce the distance travelled by personal vehicles during rush hour by approximately 7,700 kilometres. Provincial projections also anticipate an annual reduction of more than 4,800 tonnes of greenhouse-gas emissions.

Source: Ontario Ministry of Transportation

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