'Long overdue': Commuters enthused by subway extension

More than 150 attend open house in Richmond Hill to learn more about the Yonge North subway extension

Newmarkettoday.ca
Jan. 29, 2024
Joseph Quigley

Thornhill resident Alexandra Koblyianski is interested in the future Yonge North subway extension.

Having a condo on the projected line, she wanted to get more information about it. That prompted her to attend an open house hosted by Metrolinx in Richmond Hill on Jan. 25.

“It’s long overdue. I think it’s important to have it done,” she said. “I hope to be able to enjoy the results of this construction.”

York Region residents flocked to Richmond Hill’s Langstaff Community Centre this week to learn more about the subway extension that stands to transform regional transportation.

More than 150 attended the open house. Staff were on site to field questions, with displays highlighting various aspects of the project, including milestones to date.

“The opportunity to connect one-on-one with residents, share information, and answer their questions is invaluable as we work toward bringing more subway service to York Region,” the organization said.

Metrolinx says extending Line 1 subway service will reduce commute times by as much as 22 minutes and offset 4,800 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually as more people choose to take transit.

The subway, with an estimated cost of $5.6 billion, is currently going through a procurement process for tunnel construction. That procurement is expected to finish in late 2024.

Metrolinx said it would confirm a timeline for construction and completion once that procurement is complete.

The proposed route will go through Vaughan, Markham and Richmond Hill, with five stations along eight kilometres.

Beyond that, the open house highlighted the consultation and preparation that went into reaching the procurement stage, including early construction on Finch station.

Markham resident Peter Miasek said nothing in the open house surprised him as someone well-researched on the project. He said it seemed better for those not following the project as closely.
Still, Miasek said he supports the project, though is concerned about what the costs could become.

“I’m worried about cost escalation because a lot of the subway is very, very deep, and depth costs money,” he said. “Plus, the entire construction world is under cost pressure.

“I hope it proceeds on schedule and on budget,” he further said, adding that he would also like to see a good parking facility included on the route as with Finch station.

Sandra Montana said the extension would make the area boom. She added praise for the open house.

“I found out other things today (that) I need to know," she said. "It’s excellent.”

Koblyianski said she came to Canada from Ukraine many years ago. She said trains were much more prevalent and developed there compared to Canada.

“I hope it will be better, it will improve,” she said.