5 things you need to know about the Toronto island airport tunnel
Posted July 30, 2015 12:53 pm.
Last Updated July 30, 2015 12:57 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Torontonians are now able to do something they have never done before: walk to the island airport.
After three years of construction and several delays, the $82.5-million pedestrian tunnel, which stretches 260 metres (853 feet) – a bit longer than two football fields – opened on Thursday.
The tunnel runs 10 metres under water and connects the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to the mainland at the foot of Bathurst Street.
What else do you need to know about the tunnel? Keep reading below.
Tunnel funding
No taxpayer money was used to pay for the tunnel, which was financed by the private sector and paid for by airport users via the $20 airport improvement fee.
The funding model is a public-private partnership between Ports Toronto, Forum Equity Partners and PCL, the lead contractor.
Ferry vs. walking option
Previously, travellers could only take a ferry to and from the airport. The ferry will continue to run around every 15 minutes. The boat trip travels 121 metres, taking around 90 seconds. Alternatively, walking in the tunnel will take six minutes, moving an estimated 2.4 million passengers through the airport each year.
Tunnel project history
A tunnel to the island airport was first proposed in 1935. Work on the tunnel was started but then cancelled. In 1997, city council approved a bridge to the island airport. But once again, it was cancelled – this time, when David Miller was elected mayor in 2003.
How the tunnel works
Travellers will descend 30 metres under water – the distance from first base to second base in major league baseball – via an elevator to access the tunnel. They will then walk along the passageway to the airport’s check-in area using one of four moving sidewalks, two in each direction, travelling at 2.3 km/h.
The entire journey is expected to take six minutes, which is how long it takes to walk from the Union Station bus terminal to the Air Canada Centre. Once there, travellers also have access to free Wi-Fi.
View highlights of the pedestrian tunnel below, or click here for a mobile-friendly version.
A tribute to Billy
The Toronto Island Airport was renamed Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport in honour of William “Billy” Bishop, Canada’s top pilot in the First World War.
The tunnel features historical artifacts and art pieces that pay tribute to the war hero, including a life-size bronze statue of Bishop standing alongside flying ace William George Barker. There’s also a life-size model of a Nieuport 17 suspended from the ceiling and an exhibit with Bishop artifacts, memorabilia and photographs.
Below are some more fun facts, or click here for a mobile-friendly version.
