Ontario breaks ground on East Harbour Transit Hub

Key Takeaways:

• Construction has begun on the East Harbour Transit Hub, which is expected to become Toronto’s second busiest station, connecting the Ontario Line with GO Transit routes and serving 100,000 daily riders.
• The hub is part of Ontario’s broader $70-billion transit investment, aiming to reduce congestion, create jobs, and support transit-oriented housing developments.
• The project will help ease pressure on Union Station and is designed to support future growth in Toronto with new infrastructure, public amenities, and thousands of housing units.

The Whole Story:

Construction has officially begun on the East Harbour Transit Hub, a major new interchange in Toronto’s east end that is expected to become the city’s second busiest transit station after Union Station.

The hub will link the future Ontario Line subway with the Lakeshore East and Stouffville GO Transit lines, accommodating approximately 100,000 daily riders. The project is intended to improve access across the Greater Toronto Area, ease congestion at Union Station, and support long-term urban growth.

The hub is being delivered through an alliance contracting model led by Metrolinx, in partnership with a project team that includes Rail Connect Partners—a joint venture between AtkinsRéalis and Bird Construction—and Hatch Ltd. as the design partner. Rail Connect Partners is responsible for major construction work such as bridge widening, track infrastructure, and the station shell, while Hatch is overseeing architectural and engineering design.

“In the face of economic uncertainty, we are doubling down on our plan to build Ontario,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Projects like the East Harbour Transit Hub will support economic growth, keep thousands of workers on the job and help commuters get where they need to go.”

The project is being delivered through a joint effort by the federal, provincial and municipal governments. It is part of Ontario’s broader $70-billion transit infrastructure plan, which includes four major subway expansions and the GO Expansion program to provide two-way, all-day service on the region’s busiest rail corridors.

The hub is also a cornerstone of the province’s Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) initiative. Once complete, the site is expected to support not only transit infrastructure but also thousands of new housing units, retail spaces, day care, and parkland.

“This is the future home of a transit-oriented community that will support thousands of new jobs and housing options closer to public transportation,” said Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma.

Construction of the East Harbour facility is being managed by a joint venture between AtkinsRéalis and Bird Construction, with design partner Hatch Ltd., under an alliance contracting model. The project is expected to generate the equivalent of 8,300 jobs annually during its first 12 years of construction and delivery.

Mayor Olivia Chow said the hub is a vital part of preparing Toronto for a fast-growing population. “The East Harbour Transit Hub means 100,000 transit riders will get to their destinations faster,” she said. “This is an important step to invest in better transit networks, which will support our city’s growth.”

Once operational, the East Harbour Transit Hub is expected to significantly reduce commute times and serve as a major connection point for people living and working across the Toronto region.