TTC subway extension enters next phase
Posted March 13, 2013 1:20 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Politicians from all three levels of government were on hand as construction on the TTC’s Spadina subway extension entered its next phase on Wednesday.
Federal Labour Minister Lisa Raitt, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and TTC chair Karen Stintz were among those who were at the event at the site of the future Highway 407 station in Vaughan.
“This expansion will be the key piece of Toronto‘s transit infrastructure that will improve the existing network and hopefully — hopefully — be the start of further subway projects in Toronto,” Ford said.
Construction on the 8.6-kilometre Toronto-York Spadina subway tunnel began in June 2011, but crews are now starting the stretch from Highway 407 to York University.
The TTC says the new line will open in 2016, almost a year later than planned. The Ontario Ministry of Labour investigation into a construction worker’s death, paperwork and contractors behind schedule all contributed to the delay.
The six-station extension will serve York University and will run from Downsview station to the Vaughan Corporate Centre near Highway 7 and Millway Avenue.
The federal government has promised roughly $697 million of the project’s $2.6-billion budget. The province will kick in $870 million; Toronto, $526 million; and York $352 million.
“What’s really wonderful about this project is the story about all levels of government working together,” Wynne said.
“I really believe that on infrastructure projects like this, that is the future. That is our path to success.”
With files from CityNews.ca staff
