The government of Canada, government of Ontario and city of Toronto have come together to provide joint funding of up to C$1.5 billion (US$1.1 billion) for the expansion and rehabilitation of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)’s Bloor-Yonge Subway Station.
With the funding, Toronto will be able to expand and rehabilitate the existing subway station to improve efficiency and capacity and reduce overcrowding during rush hours. Work will include the construction of a second platform on Line 2 for eastbound service, an expansion of the Line 1 northbound and southbound platforms, new elevators, escalators and stairs, and construction of a new accessible entrance and exit on Bloor Street East.
“The expansion of Bloor-Yonge Station is a key part of our transit expansion plan,” Toronto Mayor John Tory said. “This work to increase the capacity of this important transit hub is only possible because all three governments are working together to invest in the TTC and its future. Toronto is growing rapidly and these unprecedented transit investments are needed to make sure we have a reliable, accessible, safe and modern transit system now and in the future.”
“As part of our government’s historic investments in transit across the Greater Toronto Area, we are providing up to $449.2 million to help the city of Toronto enhance the commuter experience at Bloor-Yonge Station,” Ontario Minister of Transportation and Minister of Francophone Affairs Caroline Mulroney said. “Ontario has been a strong advocate of this project, and as Toronto’s population grows, we will continue working with the city and the federal government to deliver a world-class transit system for the Greater Toronto Area.”
Once complete, the project will increase the station’s capacity and accessibility. These improvements will enable more Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) residents to use public transit to get to and from their destination, reduce gridlock on roads and help the TTC accommodate a projected growth in ridership.
By investing in infrastructure, the government of Canada is growing the country’s economy, increasing the resiliency of communities and improving the lives of Canadians.
“Bloor-Yonge Station is home to one of the busiest lines in North America, and it is an important part of the routines of people from across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area – including my own family,” Deputy Prime Minister of Canada and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland said. “Today’s announcement is great news for Toronto, and it is critical to ensuring we have reliable public transit for the riders who use it every day.”
“As the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area continues to welcome more newcomers, we need to ensure that our public transit infrastructure keeps up with the pace of growth,” Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs of Canada Dominic LeBlanc said. Since 2015, we have partnered with the Government of Ontario and the city of Toronto to make historic investments in public transit in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area – and with today’s announcement, we are continuing to deliver modern, reliable public transit for Canadians.”
The government of Canada is investing up to C$500 million (US$365 million) in the project through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP). This represents the government of Canada’s formal commitment to the funding first announced in August 2019. The government of Ontario is providing up to C$449.2 million (US$328.4 million), and the city of Toronto is contributing more than C$564 (US$412 million).
Under the Investing in Canada Plan, the federal government is investing more than C$180 billion (US$131 billion) over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
