Excavation of the shaft that will launch two tunnel-boring machines marks a visible milestone for the long-awaited project, although a firm opening date has not yet been announced.
By City Desk
Federal, provincial and municipal officials gathered this week to mark the completion of the launch shaft for the Yonge North Subway Extension, an important early milestone in the long-awaited project.
The shaft is located south of Highway 407, just east of the Yonge Street bridge. It will be used to lower and launch two tunnel-boring machines that will excavate the underground portion of the subway route.
Richmond Hill Mayor David West said the completed shaft provides residents with visible evidence that the project is moving forward.
“Richmond Hill has been waiting a long time for the Yonge North Subway Extension, but there is real, visible progress happening,” West wrote following the event.
Nearly 70,000 cubic metres of soil were removed to build the shaft, which extends approximately 10 metres below ground. Its construction required about 11,000 cubic metres of concrete and 860 tonnes of reinforcing steel.
The tunnel-boring machines will create 6.3 kilometres of parallel tunnels between the Finch Station area and Richmond Hill. West said one of the machines is on its way from Germany, while work on stations, tracks and other systems will proceed alongside the tunnelling program.
The full extension will run nearly eight kilometres north from Finch Station, bringing TTC Line 1 into Vaughan, Markham and Richmond Hill.
Five stations are planned at Steeles, Clark, Royal Orchard, Bridge and High Tech. The northern section of the route will emerge from underground and continue beside the existing railway corridor.
Bridge Station is intended to become a major regional transit interchange, connecting subway passengers with GO trains, GO buses, Viva rapid transit and local bus services. High Tech Station will serve the planned high-density community around Richmond Hill Centre.
Metrolinx estimates the extension could attract more than 94,000 daily boardings and reduce some trips by as much as 22 minutes.
The advance tunnelling contract is valued at approximately $1.44 billion. The federal government has committed $2.24 billion toward the broader project, while the final value of the stations, rail and systems contract has not yet been announced.
No firm opening date
Despite the progress, there is still no confirmed date for the subway to begin carrying passengers.
West said the project appears to be on track for an opening in the early 2030s, but acknowledged that no final timeline has been established.
Major stages remain, including tunnelling, station construction, track and signal installation, testing and integration with the existing Line 1 system.
For Richmond Hill, completing the launch shaft is a tangible sign that the extension is advancing. It is also a reminder that several years of construction remain before subway service finally reaches the city.