Metrolinx Updates Yonge-North Subway Extension Plans
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
Moving on for further study is an alignment (pictured) that places the northern section of the extension at the surface along the existing CN corridor, rather than tunneling to Richmond Hill.
Metrolinx has released an Initial Business Case (IBC) and supplementary analysis for the 8-kilometer (4.97-mile) Yonge North Subway Extension that will bring the Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) existing Line 1 subway to the cities of Vaughan, Markham and Richmond Hill.
The Yonge North Subway Extension is one of four priority rapid transit projects for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, which the government of Ontario announced in 2019. The others: the Ontario Line (a nearly 16-kilometer or 9.94-mile free-standing line), Scarborough Subway Extension (extending TTC’s existing Line 2 subway service 7.8 kilometers or 4.84 miles), and Eglinton Crosstown West Extension (extending the Eglinton Crosstown LRT 9.2 kilometers or 5.72 miles). The projects are being procured and delivered by Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx.
The IBC reviewed three options for the Yonge North Subway Extension’s alignment: one as initially proposed and two exploring new routes for the northern portion, according to Metrolinx. Moving on for further study now is an alignment (see map above) that places the northern section of the extension at the surface along the existing CN corridor, rather than tunneling to Richmond Hill.
Six stations were also studied, but it was determined that the C$5.6 billion (US$4.47 billion) funding envelope could only accommodate up to four, if the extension followed the newly proposed alignment, according to Metrolinx. Three have been deemed essential: Steeles (underground), Bridge (at-grade) and High Tech (at-grade), Metrolinx said.
The project is expected to attract 94,100 daily riders.
“We’re so pleased to be taking this important step forward with the Yonge North Subway Extension and we’re eager to get out there in the communities to share more details about how this important and much-needed project will benefit people,” Metrolinx President and CEO Phil Verster said.
“As we continue to keep up with tremendous growth in Toronto and York Region, our government is delivering on our plan to provide people with access to faster, more reliable transit to get them where they need to go,” Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney said.
