Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx announced on April 27 that they have released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Advance Tunnel Contract package for the Yonge North Subway Extension.

“The Yonge North Subway Extension is a critical project for York Region that will provide much-needed access to reliable public transit and connect more people to major employment centres in Markham, Vaughan and Richmond Hill,” said Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney. “Together with our partners in Ottawa, York Region and the City of Toronto, we’re demonstrating real progress to make this project a reality and delivering on our plan to build a strong Ontario.”

The Yonge North Subway Extension will extend the TTC’s Line 1 subway service approximately eight kilometres from the existing terminus at Finch Station into the City of Richmond Hill. Thew project will include an approximately 6.3-kilometre tunnelled segment as well as an above-ground segment that will run along the existing rail corridor in the northern section of the route.

The RFQ outlines the scope of work to design, build and finance the tunnels. It includes approximately 6.3 kilometres of tunnelling works; design and construction of launch and extraction shafts, tunnels, as well as headwalls for stations and support of excavation for emergency exit buildings; design, procurement, and supply of tunnel boring machines and tunnel liner segments; reinforcing and improving soil and works necessary to facilitate tunnelling under and next to the CN Railway tracks and the York Durham Sewage System; and construction of CN right-of-way separation barriers to expedite safe corridor access and construction.

To deliver the new subway as quickly as possible, tunnelling will begin first, followed by a separate contract to build the stations, rail and systems.

Early work on the Yonge North Subway Extension is currently underway at Finch Station, where workers are making upgrades to accommodate the future subway service. Once complete, the approximately eight-kilometre extension will accommodate over 90,000 daily trips. The project is also expected to cut the distance travelled by personal vehicles by 7,700 kilometres during rush hour and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 4,800 tonnes each year.

The Yonge North Subway Extension is expected to create thousands of jobs during construction and generate over $3.6 billion worth of total economic benefits to help stimulate the economy.