Track work complete on Yonge-Spadina subway extension

Provincial and municipal leaders gathered in Vaughan, Ont. Monday morning to mark the completion of track work on the Yonge-Spadina subway extension.

Premier Kathleen Wynne and elected officials received an underground tour of the construction work at the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Station and cited the project as a boon for the region.

“It’s Ontario’s first inter-regional subway service,” Wynne said. “It means taking that regional approach. It means building a modern integrated transit system that seamlessly connects the growing numbers of people and business here in the Golden Horseshoe.

At a cost of $3.1 billion, the extension adds six stations on the 8.6 kilometre route from Toronto to York Region and is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2017.

“It will serve thousands of residents both in Toronto, York. It will connect with York University and most importantly connect people with jobs and opportunities around this city that so many desperately need,” said Toronto Transit Commission Chair Josh Colle.

WATCH: Josh Colle discusses ‘struggles and challenges’ with Yonge-Spadina subway extension

1:04 Josh Colle discusses ‘struggles and challenges’ with Yonge-Spadina subway extension

The subway extension is the first Toronto Transit Commission rapid transit line to cross the City of Toronto boundary.

Colle said work at all six stations are near 90 per cent completion and is on schedule to open next year.

“Progress is going very well but we don’t see it opening earlier than the end of 2017,” he said.