Work begins on second Ontario Line tunnel shaft

Key Takeaways:

• Second tunnel launch shaft for the Ontario Line breaks ground near the future Gerrard Station, enabling three kilometres of twin tunnels under Pape Avenue.
• Major transit expansion will connect Exhibition Place to the Eglinton Crosstown LRT in 30 minutes or less, adding 15 stations and over 40 connections while easing TTC crowding.
• Transit-oriented development around Gerrard Station will include 2,400 new homes, retail and office space, and support hundreds of jobs.

The Whole Story:

Construction has begun on a second tunnel launch shaft for the Ontario Line near the future Gerrard Station, a step the province says will cut commute times and expand rapid transit access to thousands more Toronto residents.

“The Ontario Line will introduce all-new rapid transit to the Gerrard and Carlaw community and surrounding neighbourhoods, part of our nearly $70 billion investment to deliver the largest transit expansion in North America,” Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said Wednesday. “In the face of U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty, we are protecting Ontario’s economy by building the next generation of subway service that will create thousands of good-paying jobs and fuel long-term economic growth.”

The new shaft will allow tunnel boring machines to dig three kilometres of twin tunnels north under Pape Avenue. It will eventually serve as a portal where Ontario Line trains move from above-ground to underground. Gerrard Station, just south of the site, will put nearly 12,000 people within walking distance of the line and is expected to handle more than 3,000 rush-hour passengers daily.

Once complete, the 15.6-kilometre Ontario Line will connect Exhibition Place to the Eglinton Crosstown LRT at Don Mills Road in 30 minutes or less, compared to the current 70-minute trip. It will include 15 stations and more than 40 connections to TTC subways, buses, streetcars and regional trains, with the province estimating it will reduce crowding on the busiest stretch of Line 1 by up to 15% during peak periods.

Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma said the project will also support new developments around the station. “We are seizing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build two transit-oriented communities at the future Gerrard Station,” she said. “These will include nearly 2,400 new homes, new retail and office space to support approximately 685 jobs.”

Metrolinx president and CEO Michael Lindsay said the tunnels will directly connect to Pape Station, reducing crowding on Line 2 by 21% during rush hour. “To put it another way, there will be 6,000 fewer people at Bloor-Yonge Station during the busiest travel hour of the day thanks to the Ontario Line,” he said.