Province announces $55M for Yonge subway extension

By News Staff

The province is making another big move to help commuters across the GTA get to work easier by transit.

Just one day after announcing $150-million in funding for the downtown relief line, the Ontario government is giving $55-million to Metrolinx for the Yonge north subway extension.

“Under our Moving Ontario Forward plan, our government is committed to providing accessible, modern transit infrastructure that will manage congestion, reduce commute times, create jobs and improve the quality of life for Ontarians,” Ontario’s transportation minister Steven Del Duca said in a release.

A map of the proposed Yonge north subway extension, June 2, 2016. TTC

The proposed Yonge north subway extension would extend the Yonge portion of Line 1 from the existing Finch Station 7.4 kilometres north to Highway 7 in Richmond Hill.

The expansion is part of Metrolinx’s plan to connect transit throughout the GTA and Hamilton area.

“Metrolinx is proud to be working with our partners in Toronto and York Region on this project that will deliver more transit and bring us closer to a seamless, integrated transit network across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area,” Metrolinx president and CEO Bruce McCuaig said in a statement.

Vaughan mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua said this is a pivotal step in advancing transit and the funding will “serve to improve the quality of life and standard of living for our residents and beyond.”


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“Planning can now begin on the development of an important missing link in the dedicated regional rapid transit system, which presently requires approximately 2,500 bus trips per day to meet the public transit demand. We are at a critical juncture in the evolution of our city and as we continue our fast-paced growth and public transit is a key component of getting people where they need to go,” Bevilacqua said in a statement.

A study conducted by York Region projected that 58 million riders would use the extension annually by 2031.

Engineering and construction of the Yonge north subway extension is estimated to take approximately 10 years to complete.

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