Yonge subway extension to Richmond Hill gets $36M federal boost

Yorkregion.com
June 16, 2017
By Lisa Queen

The extension of the Yonge Street subway from Finch subway station to Richmond Hill is another step closer.

Preliminary engineering and design work on the 7.4-kilometre extension is set to begin, federal, provincial and regional politicians announced at a news conference at the Richmond Hill transit terminal on June 16.

Federal Health Minister and Markham-Stouffville MP Jane Philpott, Ontario Transportation Minister and Vaughan MPP Steven Del Duca and York Region chair Wayne Emmerson announced more than $36 million in federal funding at the event.

"This project is the No. 1 rapid transit priority of York Regional council for good reason,” Emmerson said.

“It will allow us to keep up with the tremendous growth we are experiencing, it will virtually eliminate the 2,500 daily bus trips now required to service this section of Yonge Street and it will be the catalyst for job creation and the development of more affordable housing options."

The federal funding is in addition to about $55 million from the provincial government to continue design work on the project.

Metrolinx has identified the subway extension as a priority project for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.