A major infrastructure project aimed at extending the Toronto subway system into the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) suburbs is making progress.
Today, the Ontario government revealed that the excavation for the tunnel launch shaft of the Yonge North Subway Extension has been finished. This extension will stretch the subway system eight kilometres further into York Region, connecting the TTC’s Yonge-University Line (Line 1) from Finch Station to Vaughan, Markham, and Richmond Hill.
The subway is projected to serve over 94,000 passengers daily and place nearly 23,000 jobs within a short walking distance of transit services.
Connecting Finch Station to Richmond Hill Centre, this extension will feature five stations. Among these is a planned transit hub at Highway 7 and Highway 407 called Bridge Station, which could link up with five existing or future regional transit lines along with local bus routes.
Bridge Station will be positioned on the northern section of the extension and is expected to connect both parts of the Richmond Hill Centre/Langstaff Gateway urban growth centre that are currently separated by highway infrastructure, according to provincial sources.
Other proposed stations along this route include Steeles Station, Clark Station, Royal Orchard Station, and High Tech Station.
Bridge Station
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A news release from July 23 stated that crews have excavated nearly 70,000 cubic metres of soil to set up the tunnel launch shaft site where two tunnel boring machines will begin digging twin tunnels measuring 6.3 kilometres each for this extension.
The province reported that this launch shaft goes down about 10 metres below ground level and needed around 11,000 cubic metres of concrete along with 860 tonnes of steel reinforcement for its construction.
Royal Orchard Station
The Ontario government recently put out a request for proposals regarding design and construction work for stations, tracks and supporting systems related to this extension.
Utilities are currently being relocated in preparation for upcoming construction work.
According to Metrolinx’s website, Steeles Station will act as a transit hub for southern segments of this extension. It aims to provide subway access for approximately 8,600 residents living nearby.
Steeles Station
The plan indicates that Clark Station will place about 8,100 people within a quick ten-minute walk from subway service by the year 2041. Once it’s completed, it’ll also offer connections to various travel options like an upcoming extension of Viva Orange service. Additionally, Metrolinx mentioned that Royal Orchard Station will cater to residents in Thornhill’s Royal Orchard area and connect roughly 7,300 individuals with nearby subway services.
This station aims to give riders faster access to Pomona Mills Park and trails along Don River valley.
High Tech Station is intended for the growing Richmond Hill Centre area. The station will be constructed at surface level underneath a bridge on High Tech Road crossing over an existing railway corridor as outlined by Metrolinx.
Clark Station
A news release indicated that this subway expansion would reduce personal vehicle travel distances by around 7,700 kilometres during rush hour while cutting greenhouse gas emissions by more than 4,800 tonnes annually.
The federal government is contributing $2.24 billion towards funding this project.
“The completion of the tunnel launch shaft excavation marks an exciting step forward for the Yonge North Subway Extension. As Mayor of Vaughan, one of my top priorities is to fight traffic gridlock; this extension will play a key role in achieving that goal by easing congestion and improving connectivity while making it easier for residents,” Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca said in a statement.
High Tech Station
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