Tunnel work starts for Toronto's new subway line

The Ontario government has announced that tunneling work is underway for the Ontario Line. 

Metrolinx is building a 9.7-mile subway line in Toronto that will run from Exhibition Place through downtown to Line 5 Eglinton at Don Mills Road. The Ontario Line will include 15 stations and more than 40 transit connections.

Two tunnel boring machines are digging twin tunnels from Exhibition Station toward Don Yard as deep as 44 yards below surface. At Don Yard, Ontario Line trains will emerge from the tunnels and continue east above ground across the Lower Don Bridge. 

“The start of tunnelling is a historic milestone for the Ontario Line which, once complete, will help cut travel times for commuters across Toronto by 40 minutes," said Ontario Premier Doug Ford in a press release.

It’s been more than 60 years since a subway was tunneled in Toronto’s downtown core, said Metrolinx President and CEO Michael Lindsay. 

Meanwhile, major construction is underway at Exhibition Station, where crews are building platforms and station entrances on both sides of the track. Exhibition Station will connect riders to GO Transit and provide subway service to the fast-growing Liberty Village neighborhood. 

In addition, construction is progressing at several downtown stations. 

“With excavation nearly complete for all downtown stations and major construction underway across the full length of the route, it’s undeniable that we’re full steam ahead on a rapid transit line that will put nearly 230,000 more people within walking distance of fast, reliable and modern rapid transit,” said Lindsay.