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.”

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.”

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