The Ontario Line, another milestone in developing Toronto's public transit system

Abstract

The new Ontario Line is one of four priority transit projects announced by the province of Ontario in 2019 for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). It will be a 15.6 km stand‐alone rapid transit line that will run through the city from Exhibition/Ontario Place in the southwest, through the heart of downtown Toronto, all the way to the Ontario Science Centre in the northeast. Over half of the route (9 km) is planned to run underground through new tunnels, with the remainder running along elevated and at‐grade rail corridor sections of track. Fifteen new stations are proposed, whereby eight are planned as deep underground structures. Most of these underground stations will be built in the downtown core, with numerous connections to the broader transit network of the GTA, including GO Transit rail services, the Toronto Transit Commission's (TTC) existing subway Lines 1 and 2, the Line 5 (Eglinton Crosstown LRT) currently under construction, as well as numerous bus and streetcar routes. The expected project benefits of Ontario Line are as follows: A faster and more reliable access to rapid transit system with more than 227,500 people living within walking distance to the new line. Reduction in crowding of existing Line 1 subway. Up to 47,000 jobs accessible by transit in 45 min or less for Toronto residents. Economic and community growth along the future transit line and significant reduction in traffic congestion and greenhouse gases by providing alternative transportation options. The Ontario Line is currently being delivered through a number of contracts with different procurement approaches.