YORK REGION – The Ontario government is one step closer to getting shovels in the ground on the Yonge North Subway Extension. Today, the province issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Advance Tunnel Contract, marking a significant milestone in its plan to reduce gridlock, connect people to jobs and make travel between York Region and Toronto faster and easier.
“The Yonge North Subway Extension is a critical project for York Region that will provide much-needed access to reliable public transit and connect more people to major employment centres in Markham, Vaughan and Richmond Hill,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “Together with our partners in Ottawa, York Region and the City of Toronto, we’re demonstrating real progress to make this project a reality and delivering on our plan to build a strong Ontario.”
The Advance Tunnel Contract includes designing the tunnels and building the launch and extraction shafts that will be used for the tunnel boring machines. It also includes the design and construction of headwalls for stations and emergency exit buildings. To deliver the new subway as quickly as possible, tunnelling will begin first, followed by a separate contract to build the stations, rail and systems.
“Partnerships are key to delivering major projects like the Yonge North Subway Extension,” said the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. “Our Government will continue to work collaboratively with the Government of Ontario to get transit built in the GTA and across the province.”
LIVE: Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation, makes an announcement regarding progress on the Yonge North Subway Extension. #BuildingOntariohttps://t.co/8jfTEPtKZo
— Caroline Mulroney (@C_Mulroney) April 27, 2023
Early work on the Yonge North Subway Extension is currently underway at Finch Station, where workers are making upgrades to accommodate the future subway service. Once complete, the approximately eight-kilometre extension will accommodate over 90,000 daily trips, connect more people to jobs, and bring faster transit to more communities across York Region and Toronto.
“The Yonge North Subway Extension remains the top transportation priority for York Regional Council and we are pleased to be working in partnership with the Province of Ontario to take additional steps to move this project forward,” said Wayne Emmerson, York Region Chairman and CEO. “A project of this magnitude has far-reaching benefits for local jobs, the economy, environment and travellers. York Region welcomes the Ontario government’s commitment to get shovels into the ground on this critical project and support the growth of our communities today and in the future.”
Quick Facts
- The Yonge North Subway Extension will put 26,000 more people within a 10-minute walk of transit and is expected to reduce daily travel times for commuters by up to 22 minutes.
- By providing an affordable and convenient transit alternative, 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.
- Ontario is investing $70.5 billion over the next decade to transform public transit in the province, which includes the largest subway expansion in Canadian history – the Ontario Line, the Scarborough Subway Extension, the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, and the Yonge North Subway Extension.
- The Yonge North Subway Extension is expected to create thousands of jobs during construction and generate over $3.6 billion worth of total economic benefits to help stimulate the economy.
- Companies interested in bidding on this tunneling contract must register with www.merx.com to download the RFQ. IO and Metrolinx will evaluate RFQ submissions and shortlist teams to be invited to respond to a Request for Proposals.
- In May 2020, Ontario signed a landmark Preliminary Agreement with York Region that will help significantly expand the subway network through the delivery of the Yonge North Subway Extension.
- In February 2020, Ontario signed the Ontario-Toronto Transit Partnership Preliminary Agreement with the City of Toronto to deliver on the unified plan to significantly expand and modernize the subway network across the Greater Toronto Area.
Quotes
“Our government is expanding the subway system by 50 per cent. This is part of our plan to deliver vibrant, complete mixed-use communities around transit stations for the people of York Region. Our government will continue to make record investments in fast, reliable transit for decades to come.”
– The Honourable Kinga Surma
Ontario Minister of Infrastructure
“Our government recognizes how important it is to build transit that will connect communities and open up new travel options for people across the Greater Toronto Area. By building critical transit like the Yonge North Subway Extension, we are ensuring that the growth of the region is sustainable and providing future generations with the means to move freely and access more choices and more opportunities.”
– The Honourable Stan Cho
Ontario Associate Minister of Transportation
“This project will deliver reliable and affordable public transit to residents of Richmond Hill and York Region. Working with the Government of Ontario, we will continue to deliver for residents of the GTA.”
– Majid Jowhari
Member of Parliament for Richmond Hill
“Reliable public transit is key to building inclusive communities. The Yonge North Subway Extension will enable York Region to keep welcoming more residents while creating good middle-class jobs.”
– Tony Van Bynen
Member of Parliament for Newmarket-Aurora
“I am pleased to see our government’s continued commitment to the Yonge North Subway Extension, which will greatly benefit the residents of Richmond Hill and surrounding areas. The issuance of the RFQ for the subway tunnelling work is a significant step towards realizing this important project, which will provide much-needed relief to commuters and improve connectivity between York Region and Toronto.”
– Daisy Wai
Member of Provincial Parliament for Richmond Hill
“Today, we’re laying the groundwork for a more connected and prosperous future for the people of Markham – Thornhill and beyond. With the launch of the Request for Qualification for the Yonge North Subway Extension, we’re signalling to the world that Ontario is open for business and that we’re committed to investing in bold, transformative infrastructure projects that will create jobs, spur economic growth, and improve the lives of all Ontarians.”
– Logan Kanapathi
Member of Provincial Parliament for Markham—Thornhill
“This announcement brings us one step closer to our government’s plan in alleviating gridlock, improving economic productivity and creating more prosperous communities to support rapid population growth in York Region. Once complete, the Yonge North Subway Extension will provide a faster, more convenient travel option for commuters and local residents.”
– Michael Parsa
Member of Parliament for Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill
“The new Yonge North Subway Extension will transform public transit for commuters in York Region by making it easier and faster for them to get to where they need to be each day. Our government is putting time back where it should be – with families, friends and local businesses. As our province continues to build Ontario, this project will play a critical role in supporting our community and growing our local economy.”
– Dawn Gallagher Murphy
Member of Parliament for Newmarket—Aurora
“This new subway extension is going to bring some much-needed relief for the residents of Thornhill, Vaughan, Markham and Richmond Hill. Our government is building Ontario and setting future generations up for success with easier access to jobs, easier access to activities, and less gridlock – the benefits are endless.”
– Laura Smith
Member of Provincial Parliament for Thornhill
“This is a great step forward for the Yonge North Subway Extension and the overall multi-billion dollar transit expansion underway across Toronto. This will ensure we have shovels in the ground as quickly as possible and shows the positive difference that can be made when all governments – municipal, provincial and federal – work together to expand transit for our residents.”
– Jennifer McKelvie
Deputy Mayor of Toronto
“The Yonge North Subway Extension continues to advance with the strong support of the provincial and federal governments. York Region’s top transportation priority and the most justified rapid transit project in the GTA needs to be delivered as soon as possible. I am extremely pleased with today’s much anticipated announcement, it’s a critical step towards getting shovels in the ground.”
– Frank Scarpitti
Mayor of the City of Markham
“Starting the search for a tunnel constructor is an important step closer to bringing fast, modern subway service to North York and York Region. Once in service, the Yonge North Subway Extension will save customers travelling between York Region and Toronto up to 22 minutes on their commutes.”
– Phil Verster
President and CEO, Metrolinx
“We are delighted at this significant step forward in making the Yonge North Subway Extension a reality with the procurement kick-off for the tunneling work. This subway extension, connecting Toronto and York Region and travelling through the cities of Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Markham and Toronto, will support a connected GTA with fast and efficient transit.”
– Michael Lindsay
President and CEO, Infrastructure Ontario
SOURCE Province of Ontario
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