Excavation starts at first Ontario Line tunnel launch shaft

First downtown subway tunnel work in more than 60 years

Nov. 22 – Excavation is now underway near Exhibition Station for the Ontario Line’s tunnel boring machine (TBM) launch site.  

A 16-metre-deep shaft will become the starting point for two TBMs that will dig a roughly six-kilometre pair of twin tunnels — the first subway tunnel project to start in Toronto’s downtown core in more than 60 years. 

Two twin tunnels created by the TBMs will run from just east of Exhibition Station to just west of the Don River. Following tunnelling, the launch shaft will become the portal where Ontario Line trains will transition, travelling east, from above to below ground. 

When complete, the Ontario Line will be a 15.6-kilometre subway that will bring 227,500 more people in Toronto within walking distance to transit. 

Community safety and support during major construction 

Metrolinx is committed to keeping people safe and supporting communities throughout major Ontario Line construction, including in Liberty Village where this work is taking place.  

Working closely with partners at the City of Toronto and the local community, Metrolinx is looking for the safest and best solutions for haul routes that will keep truck numbers to a minimum while maintaining easy access to key neighbourhood infrastructure and spaces for residents.   

Through work with community partners, Metrolinx is also introducing ways to ease the existing congestion in Liberty Village by using paid duty officers to direct traffic, optimizing signal timing and increasing traffic bylaw enforcement while coordinating for events like the CNE and FIFA to keep people moving. 

While building the Ontario Line, Metrolinx will continue to work with community members to introduce solutions that will help ease the impacts of construction.  

For accredited journalists, you can contact our media team at mediarelations@metrolinx.com.  

For customers, please visit Metrolinx – Contact Us to contact the customer service team.