TORONTO – The Yonge North Subway Extension (YNSE) is a fully funded and approved project that will transform public transit in York Region, North York, and beyond by extending the TTC’s Line 1 subway from Finch Station to Vaughan, Markham, and Richmond Hill. This expansion will significantly improve transit accessibility, reduce congestion, and connect thousands of daily commuters to a high-capacity rapid transit network.
The Vision for the Yonge North Subway Extension
The YNSE will add five new stations along an eight-kilometre extension, helping to create a seamless connection between Toronto and York Region. The Ontario government, alongside the federal government and York Region, has committed to funding the project, which is expected to open after the completion of the Ontario Line.
This extension is designed to enhance regional transit integration by providing direct connections to multiple transit options, including:
- GO Transit (Richmond Hill GO Line, Highway 407 GO Bus Service)
- York Region Viva Bus Rapid Transit (Highway 7 & Yonge Street BRT lines)
- Future transit expansions, such as the Highway 407 Transitway and TTC Steeles Avenue rapid transit service
Project Status & Development Updates
The YNSE has made significant progress, with key milestones completed and construction preparations underway:
- Five Planned Stations:
- Steeles Avenue (integrating with future rapid transit service)
- Clark Avenue (providing access to Thornhill’s growing residential population)
- Royal Orchard (enhancing connectivity for local communities)
- Langstaff/Longbridge (major transfer point for GO Transit services)
- Richmond Hill Centre (a central transit hub in York Region)
- Timeline and Construction Stages:
- March 2021: Initial Business Case published
- 2022-2023: Environmental approvals, station planning, and early works contracts awarded
- December 2023: Early upgrades at Finch Station completed
- April 2023 – Present: Procurement process for major tunneling contracts
- 2025: No tunneling contract has been awarded yet, and Metrolinx has not announced an updated timeline for procurement.
- Projected Completion: Targeted for 2030, following Ontario Line completion
Why It Matters
The Yonge North Subway Extension is one of the most important transit expansions in the GTA, providing:
- Faster Commutes: More than 94,100 daily boardings are projected along the extension, with commuters saving up to 22 minutes in travel time.
- Better Transit Access: Over 26,000 people will now be within walking distance of a subway station.
- Economic Growth & Job Creation: The extension improves transit access for over 22,900 employees working near new stations, encouraging business development.
- Reduced Congestion & Emissions: The project is expected to cut over 7,700 km of daily vehicle travel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 4,800 tonnes per year.
Challenges & Considerations
While the YNSE is fully funded and moving toward construction, the project still faces hurdles:
- Infrastructure & Engineering Complexities: Building the extension requires significant tunneling under existing residential and commercial areas.
- Capacity on Line 1: While the extension will ease congestion in York Region, some experts worry about increasing ridership pressure on Line 1 south of Bloor.
- Community Concerns: Some neighborhoods, particularly in Thornhill and Markham, have raised concerns about station locations, noise levels, and long-term urban impacts.
- Timeline Coordination with Ontario Line: Since the YNSE will open after the Ontario Line, ensuring alignment between both projects is crucial.
Public and Expert Perspectives
Urban planners and transit advocates overwhelmingly support the YNSE, arguing that the extension is essential for York Region’s transit future. However, opinions vary on whether Richmond Hill Centre should be the final terminus or if further northward expansion is needed.
Transit expert Reece Martin, creator of RMTransit, has analyzed the project and raised concerns about cost-cutting measures, station removals, and the region’s transit priorities. In one of his assessments, he noted: “York Region wants so many stations, but the bus service just isn’t there. Instead of spending all this money on hard infrastructure, if York Region were to just run more buses, we’d see transit benefits all over the place.”
While many York Region residents are excited about the extension, some Toronto commuters worry about overcrowding on Line 1 south of Sheppard, particularly during peak hours.
The Road Ahead for the Yonge North Subway Extension
With the tunneling contract expected to be awarded by late 2024, construction is on track to ramp up over the next few years. As the project moves forward, additional considerations will focus on:
- Finalizing designs for station infrastructure and transit integration
- Addressing long-term ridership growth and capacity needs
- Coordinating with Metrolinx and TTC on future transit expansions beyond Richmond Hill
There is also ongoing discussion about whether GO Transit’s Richmond Hill Line should be upgraded to complement the subway extension, ensuring seamless travel options for commuters traveling even further north.
Conclusion
The Yonge North Subway Extension is one of the most significant transit expansions in Ontario, bringing high-capacity rapid transit deeper into York Region. With funding secured and construction progressing, the project will reshape transit in the GTA for decades to come. As Toronto and York Region continue to grow, the YNSE is set to play a crucial role in connecting communities, easing congestion, and fostering sustainable urban development.
Next Stop is GTA Weekly’s weekly Sunday spotlight on the future of transit across Toronto and beyond — because every great city deserves a great way to get there. Stay with us every Sunday as we imagine what’s next. #NextStop #GTAWeekly
If this ever happens, it’s imperative that the Sheppard line gets extended west to Downsview so riders can go downtown on the Spadina section. This will relieve the volume on Yonge. It’s impossible now to get a seat at Yonge-Sheppard.
Exactly!!!!
100% right! I’ve been arguing that since the Sheppetd line first opened.
nice joke . in last 30 years it was talking about subway by politician when land even 10 years ago was 30% less than now. it is a business for some big construction companies and possible kick back to some politicians
If/when this happens, you can bank on inept planning and internal politics to delay completion another 10 years.
I grew up in Thornhill. They have been saying this for 40 years.
Completed by 2030 ? This is just another snail paced ongoing project for the last 30yrs to give us an impression the govt is working to improve the city burning our tax money. If it ever will complete. It will be way after human living on Mars.
I think they meant the next status update will be provided in 2030.
We have been waiting for a subway north and east of Scarborough for the last 30 years. Hopefully the extension from Kennedy is completed by 2030. Additionally the Sheppard subway should be extended to McCowan or further east to the Toronto Zoo. I don’t think this is going to happen in my lifetime. The problem is no one at the municipal level in Toronto even thinks of Scarborough. They are all Toronto centric and don’t realize that Scarborough is part of Toronto.
75 years ago or longer there was a street railway from top of Hogs Hollow to Richmond Hill. The Telegram newspapers were delivered to paperboy waiting on the platform on Yonge Street.
Ever time they do an extension, they purchase a new boring machine for tunneling. What did they do with the old one? Why don’t they just reuse it? Another Metrolinx bungle that will be 3 years overdue and triple the estimated cost.
Subways aren’t commuter trains. Extension was a campaign prop for developers.
Instead of extensions, they should think about an express service on the same tracks by building bypass and safety panels in smaller stations along line 1.
For folks living north of finch, create a dedicated bus line from 407 down to finch.
Done.
yes yonge north subway extension five station steeles station clark station Royal ochard station and langaff/Longbridge station and Richmond hill centre new teriminal station highway 7 langstaff go train next 7 year away in 2032 update timeline above ground storage faclity 25 new subway on line 1 8 eight train project update thank you
It is a good idea to start planning this project now, which will be implemented in 100 years. If we don’t plan it now, I am afraid that this project will not be implemented until 200 years later.
Go north to Steeles Avenue with Subway .
East and West subway along Steeles .
Should get the Chinese to build our subways. They seem to get things done.
It is much easier and cheaper if they extend Jane, hwy7 to the east first.
Another generation to wait.
Let’s see, my mother has veen dead 35 years & they were talking about & had meetings, BEFORE SHE DIED.
My husband has been dead 16 years & we went to 3 differents meetings with all kinds of models.
When IS THIS going to get off the ground.
I think sitting around on your thumb PONDERING something gets NO RESULTS. Time to stop chasing your tail & going around in circles. Time to pull the thumb out and actually do something about it, don’t you think?
Talk, talk, talk, 40 years from now, still talk hahahahahaha
Most of the current and future subway extensions should of been built at least 15 – 20 years ago, but it better then nothing.