Major Construction Underway for Yonge North Subway Extension
- Stephen Lecce, MPP
- Jul 23
- 7 min read
YORK REGION — The Ontario government has officially completed excavation of the tunnel launch shaft for the Yonge North Subway Extension, marking a major milestone in the province’s plan to relieve gridlock across the Greater Toronto Area by expanding access to fast, affordable and reliable public transit. The project will extend the TTC’s Line 1 subway nearly eight kilometres north from Finch Station to Vaughan, Markham and Richmond Hill, moving more than 94,000 riders each day and putting nearly 23,000 jobs within walking distance of transit.
"Our government is delivering on our word to build a second subway stop in Vaughan to get the GTHA moving," said Stephen Lecce, MPP for King—Vaughan. "We are making real progress on the Yonge North Subway Extension, a project that will move 94,000 riders each day and generate over $3.6 billion in economic benefits for the GTA. This project is a key pillar in our plan — the largest and most ambitious transit expansion in North America, along with massive improvements at the Rutherford, Maple, and King City GO stations."
Crews have dug almost 70,000 cubic metres of soil to prepare the tunnel launch shaft site, where two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) will begin digging the extension’s twin 6.3-kilometre tunnels. The launch shaft extends 10 metres below ground, requiring 11,000 cubic metres of concrete and 860 tonnes of steel reinforcement to construct.
“Our government is making historic investments in public transit to protect Ontario’s economy and keep people moving in the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “The Yonge North Subway Extension will bring subway service to Markham and Richmond Hill for the first time ever, relieving gridlock and connecting thousands of people to housing and good-paying jobs.”
The province recently issued a request for proposals to qualified teams for design and construction of the extension’s stations, tracks and support systems. Ahead of future tunnelling and station construction, crews are relocating utilities to make room for new infrastructure.
“Reliable, modern public transit is key to building connected and resilient communities,” said the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada. “We are partnering with provinces and territories to build the local infrastructure that our communities need. The Yonge North Subway Extension is exactly the sort of project that will help grow Toronto strong and shape the future of how we move and explore our community.”
The Yonge North Subway Extension will add five new stations to the subway network – Steeles, Clark, Royal Orchard, Bridge and High Tech. Construction of the extension supports 4,300 jobs per year, stimulating the local economy and generating over $3.6 billion in economic benefits.
Ontario is investing $70 billion in the largest transit expansion in North America, including the largest subway expansion in Canadian history with the Ontario Line, the Scarborough Subway Extension, the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension and the Yonge North Subway Extension.
Quick Facts
The Yonge North Subway Extension will cut the distance travelled by personal vehicles by 7,700 kilometres during rush hour and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 4,800 tonnes each year.
Bridge Station, a newly proposed transit hub on the northern segment of the line, will connect to GO train and bus lines, as well as regional and local bus services.
In September 2024, Ontario and York Region signed an Agreement-in-Principle (AIP) to advance the Yonge North Subway Extension, building on the 2020 Preliminary Agreement and establishing the framework for project delivery, funding and operations.
The Government of Canada is contributing $2.24 billion in funding for the Yonge North Subway Extension.
Quotes
"The Yonge North Subway Extension will revolutionize travel for people living and working in North York, Vaughan, Markham and Richmond Hill. As part of our government’s $236 billion capital plan to build and protect Ontario, we are working with our partners to plan transit-oriented communities along the extension, including at the High Tech and Bridge stations. These vibrant, mixed-used communities will deliver more than 40,000 new homes, create over 4,000 jobs during construction per year, support nearly 10,000 new long-term jobs and help to increase transit ridership, reduce gridlock and drive local economic growth."
- Todd McCarthy
Acting Minister of Infrastructure
"Today’s announcement means we are one step closer to completing the Yonge North Subway Extension. This expansion isn’t just about reducing gridlock – it’s about enhancing daily life for families, seniors, and workers who depend on safe, reliable transit."
- Laura Smith
MPP for Thornhill
"The progression on the Yonge North Subway Extension is a major milestone in the expansion of transit for individuals living and working across York Region. By adding five new stations, this project will help reduce commute times and make it easier for the residents of Richmond Hill, Aurora, and York Region to get where they need to go."
- Michael Parsa
MPP for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill
"Today’s milestone brings us one step closer to delivering reliable, efficient transit for Markham–Thornhill and York Region. The Yonge North Subway Extension will reduce gridlock, connect residents to jobs and opportunities, and support our growing communities for years to come."
- Logan Kanapathi
MPP for Markham–Thornhill
"The continued progress of the Yonge North Subway Extension is encouraging news for residents of Markham-Unionville and communities across York Region. This important project will provide faster, more reliable transit, reduce congestion, and make it easier for people to reach work, school, local businesses, and essential services. As construction moves forward, we remain committed to building a more connected and accessible transportation network that supports our growing communities and improves quality of life for residents."
- Billy Pang
MPP for Markham-Unionville
"Our government is delivering the transit Ontario needs while minimizing disruption for Willowdale residents, using modern construction methods to reduce noise and keep people safe. This transformative investment will connect more people to jobs, housing and opportunity across Toronto and the GTA - protecting Ontario's growth for years to come."
- Stan Cho
MPP for Willowdale
"This milestone brings us one step closer to a new era of convenience and connectivity for residents of Markham-Stouffville. The Yonge North Subway Extension will give more people easier access to transit, jobs, services and opportunities across York Region and the GTA. It is exciting to see this transformational project moving forward and delivering the modern transportation network our growing communities deserve."
- Paul Calandra
MPP for Markham-Stouffville
"Building the Yonge North Subway Extension is a huge step forward in enhancing transit options for thousands of riders across York Region. This extension will reduce congestion, connect communities to good paying jobs and drive our economy forward as Richmond Hill continues to grow."
- Daisy Wai
MPP for Richmond Hill
"Completing excavation at the Yonge North Subway Extension's tunnel launch shaft and inviting qualified teams to bid on the project’s final major contract reflect a growing momentum building behind this extension. As we get ready to receive the tunnel boring machines that will carve out the extension’s twin tunnels, we’re looking forward to starting the next phase of building this important project."
- Michael Lindsay
President and CEO of Metrolinx
"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, and the Yonge North Subway Extension will play a key role in achieving that goal by easing congestion, improving connectivity and making it easier for residents to get where they need to go. It will also bring a second subway line to Vaughan, further strengthening our links to Toronto and communities across the region. I want to thank the Government of Ontario and Minister Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria for advancing this important city-building project, and I look forward to seeing the work continue."
- Steven Del Duca
Mayor of Vaughan
"For decades, Richmond Hill has championed the extension of subway service into York Region, and today’s tunneling milestone demonstrates that this vision is becoming a reality. The completion of this phase of construction is an important step toward delivering faster, more reliable transit connections for residents and supporting the long-term economic vitality of our community. We are proud to continue working alongside our partners to advance this project bringing the subway to Richmond Hill."
- David West
Mayor of Richmond Hill
"TRACCS recognizes the completion of excavation at the Yonge North Subway Extension’s tunnel launch shaft as a major milestone that brings this transformative transit project another step closer to reality. As the project advances toward tunnelling, it continues to demonstrate the economic and community benefits of investing in public transit, supporting 4,300 jobs annually, connecting nearly 23,000 jobs to reliable transit and helping build a more sustainable and prosperous Ontario."
- Mark Salsberg
Chairperson for Transit Rail Association for Canadian Contractors, Maintainers, Operators and Standards (TRACCS)
"This milestone marks meaningful progress on a project that will strengthen connectivity across one of Ontario’s fastest-growing regions. Modern transit infrastructure connects people to jobs, supports housing growth, and helps businesses access the workforce they need to drive Ontario’s economic growth."
- Daniel Tisch
President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce
"CUTA is encouraged by the completion of excavation for the Yonge North Subway Extension’s tunnel launch shaft and the continued progress being made on this important transit investment. This milestone brings York Region communities one step closer to faster, more reliable transit service that will connect residents to jobs, education, housing and essential services. As work continues toward extending Line 1 further north, the project will help reduce congestion, improve mobility and support long-term economic growth across the region."
- Marco D'Angelo
President and CEO, Canadian Urban Transit Association
Additional Resources
MEDIA CONTACT
Stephen Lecce, MPP for King—Vaughan
Constituency Office
Tel.: 647-560-9700
Email: Stephen.Lecce@pc.ola.org
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