Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension first twin tunnels section completed

TORONTO — The Honourable Julian Fantino, Associate Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Vaughan; along with His Worship Rob Ford, Mayor of Toronto; York Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch; and Toronto Transit Commission Chair Karen Stintz, today participated in an event to mark the completion of the first 1.6 kilometres of twin tunnels for the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension (TYSSE).

The new tunnels represent one complete section of the twin tunnels that will connect the future Sheppard West and Finch West Stations. The tunnel boring machines (TBMs) named “Holey” and “Moley” bored the tunnels.

“Holey” broke through the headwall at the Keele Street extraction shaft on May 1, completing the first tunnelling milestone for the project. “Moley” broke through on June 4, completing the second tunnel for this section. The extraction shaft, where the TBMs arrived, is located in the centre of Keele Street, just south of Finch Avenue West. Both TBMs are now being dismantled and moved to the second launch site and will bore the next section of tunnel between Sheppard West Station and Downsview Station.

“Today, we are one step closer to completing the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension, cutting commute times and easing traffic congestion in the Greater Toronto Area,” said Minister Fantino. “The Harper government is pleased to invest in this project that is creating jobs for Canadians and boosting the regional economy.”

“The McGuinty government is investing in transit infrastructure projects such as  the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension to improve quality of life and to help build a stronger economy,” said Ontario Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation Bob Chiarelli. “Improving public transit helps reduce congestion on our roads, protects our environment, and makes it easier for Ontarians to get to where they need to go.”

 “Today marks the important progress we are making on the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension project, which will bring the benefits of a subway to residents and businesses in the northwest part of Toronto and beyond,” said Mayor Ford. “The subway extension will provide a vital link between Toronto and its neighbour York Region.”

“This milestone illustrates the progress we’re making toward connecting transit systems in southern Ontario,” said Chairman Fisch. “Completing the critical subway link between the City of Toronto and the City of Vaughan in York Region will help reduce congestion and travel times for those living, working and commuting around the Greater Toronto Area.”

“Holey,” “Moley,” “Yorkie” and “Torkie” are the official names of the machines that are boring the tunnels for the TYSSE project. They were chosen as part of a public contest to name the machines. The tunnel boring machines will be used to build a total of 13.4 kilometres of tunnels or 6.7 kilometres of twin tunnels.

The TYSSE project is an 8.6-kilometre extension of the Toronto Transit Commission’s Yonge-University-Spadina subway line from its present terminus at Downsview Station to the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre at Highway 7. It will have six new stations, including one at York University. The expansion of the subway will bring the line into York Region, the fastest-growing region in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) over the past 10 years.

The TYSSE project is targeted for completion by the end of 2015.

The Government of Canada is contributing up to $697 million for this subway extension. This investment is part of FLOW, a federal government initiative for the GTA that is designed to reduce congestion, cut commute times, help clear the air and drive the economic growth in the region.

The Province of Ontario has provided $870 million which was deposited into the Move Ontario Trust. This funding and all interest accrued by the Trust will support the project. Transit investments like this one are part of the McGuinty government’s plan to create jobs, grow local economies, and ensure the province remains strong and competitive for years to come.

The City of Toronto is contributing $526 million to the project, which is a key piece of the TTC's transit infrastructure. The project is an important component in building a mature subway network that enhances the existing network and achieves other important transportation, land use policy, environmental and economic objectives.

The Regional Municipality of York is contributing $352 million to the subway extension as a key part of its vivaNext plan. The plan follows the vision of Ontario’s Places to Grow Act, 2005 to help manage and shape our growing communities, and includes new subway extensions and dedicated rapidway lanes for Viva vehicles.