Yonge North subway extension likely being scaled back

Citynews.Toronto.ca
March 19, 2021

Metrolinx has released its ‘Initial Business Case’ for the Yonge North subway extension.

The proposal would see the TTC’s line 1 subway extended about seven kilometres north from Finch station into Richmond Hill.

But in a pair of transit planning reports, to stay on budget, the number of proposed stops will likely be reduced.

The original plan was to have six stops but now it’s looking like that will be cut to three or four.

The Metrolinx plan specifies the three stations originally proposed as Cummer, Clark and Royal Orchard will not all be built.

Another proposed change to save money is that the route would not be tunneled all of the way.

“As we continue to keep up with tremendous growth in Toronto and York Region, our government is delivering on our plan to provide people with access to faster, more reliable transit to get them where they need to go,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation.

“The release of the Initial Business Case marks an important step towards our vision for a truly connected transit system that people in the Greater Toronto Area deserve.”

The projects capital cost, for a three station extension, is reportedly between about 4 and 5 billion dollars.

The extension not expected to be open until 2029 or 2030.