Metrolinx has selected tunneling team for Yonge North Subway Extension
Written by David C. Lester, Editor-in-Chief
Image courtesy of Metrolinx
ONTARIO – The Ontario government and Metrolinx are moving closer to breaking ground on major construction for the Yonge North Subway Extension.
The government of Ontario announced last week that Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario have engaged North End Connectors to design and build tunnels for the Yonge North Subway Extension. Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario initiated a competitive procurement process which led to the award of the contract.
Firms with proven experience in transit infrastructure projects will make up the construction team. The firms are:
- Applicant leads: Aecon Infrastructure Management Inc., Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas Canada Ltd., Ghella Canada Ltd.
- Construction prime team members: Aecon Infrastructure Management Inc., Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas Canada Ltd., Ghella Canada Ltd.
- Design prime team members: EXP Services Inc., TYPSA Inc.
TTC Line 1 service running north from Finch Station, then through north Toronto to Vaughan, Markham and Richmond Hill will include five new stations, and the route will be about five miles in length. Metrolinx said this extension will save riders up to 22 minutes per trip from Markham to downtown Toronto. Moreover, there is a proposal for a new transit hub at Bridge Station that would make it even easier to connect to GO trains and buses, along with regional and local transit routes.
Map of the Yonge North Subway Extension, showing the route, stations and important project features. (Metrolinx image)
The tunnel design, along with the tunnel boring machines, will be the responsibility of North End Connectors, along with the construction of the launch and extraction shafts. The company wil also build underground support structures for emergency exit buildings and future stations.
Preparation for tunneling has already begun, with existing utilities along the route being relocated and the early upgrades to Finch Station are essentially complete.
