Timeline: Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport pedestrian tunnel

WATCH ABOVE: The long awaited Billy Bishop pedestrian tunnel opened Thursday after three years of construction. Built under Lake Ontario’s western channel, the 853-foot pedestrian walkway will connect Toronto mainland to the island airport. Erica Vella reports. 

TORONTO – The long awaited Billy Bishop pedestrian tunnel is set to open Thursday after three years of construction.

A PortsToronto press release issued on the day of the groundbreaking on March 9, 2012 said the tunnel was expected to take 25 months and be completed by Spring 2014.

“We have always pegged the tunnel project as taking between 24 and 36 months to complete. Opening on July 30th puts us just beyond the outer-limit of this estimate which, given the complexity and scope of the project, is understandable,” said Erin Mikaluk, communications manager with PortsToronto.

The tunnel’s final cost reached $82.5 million funded by a public-private partnership.

Built under Lake Ontario’s western channel, the 853-foot pedestrian walkway will connect Toronto mainland to the Billy Bishop airport.

The walk is expected to take no more than six minutes.

TIMELINE

Jul 14, 2011 – Agreement Reached with City of Toronto to build the pedestrian tunnel.
The Toronto Port Authority (TPA) and the City of Toronto reaches an agreement that will see the two parties work together to build the pedestrian tunnel. The City will also use the construction process to install water and sewage mains.

Oct 12, 2011 – Pedestrian Tunnel One Step Closer, Federal Government Approves Regulation
The federal government approves a regulation permitting the TPA to build a pedestrian tunnel to the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

Nov 25, 2011 – TPA Chooses Preferred Pedestrian Tunnel P3 Proponent
TPA announces negotiations with Forum Infrastructure Partners (Forum) to build the public-private partnership pedestrian tunnel.

Mar 9, 2012 – Tunnel Groundbreaking
TPA begins constructions of the pedestrian tunnel.

Jan 11, 2013 – ‘Chip’ Ready to Dig
‘Chip’, one of the two tunnel boring machines used to construct the pedestrian walkway, has been lowered into the tunnel shaft.

Jan 29, 2013 – ‘Chip’ Breaks Through
‘Chip’ completes one of the drift tunnels and broken through the tunnel’s shaft wall on Toronto Island.

May 28, 2013 – TPA announces the completion of the seven drift tunnels forming the crown of the pedestrian tunnel.

Aug 7, 2013 – Excavation of Billy Bishop Airport Pedestrian Tunnel reaches halfway mark. ** The tunnel’s excavation began in early July and is set for completion fall 2013.**

Aug 23, 2013 – The core of the pedestrian tunnel to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is fully excavated, with tunnelling equipment having broken through to the island-side at 11:30 a.m.

June 2014 update – The next phases of the tunnel project will include construction of the connecting vertical structures, which will include the installation of waterproofing, insulation, reinforced steel, electrical and mechanical, as well as the placement of concrete.

August 2014 update – The next phase of tunnel construction includes continued installation of the moving sidewalks, as well as waterproofing, insulation, reinforcing steel and concrete placement to the connecting building structures. Electrical and mechanical rough-ins will also continue to progress.

October 2014 update – The use of heavy machinery and deliveries to and from the site are necessary and may result in construction-related noise. However, the primary hours of construction will continue to be scheduled within the operating hours of the Airport. During the next phase of the tunnel construction there will be changes to the ferry loading lanes and passenger drop-off areas.

November 2014 update – Completion of the moving sidewalks, installation of the escalators, and architectural finishes. The water mains going across the airfield to the City main at Hanlan’s Point to be connected.

December 2014 update – During the final phase of the tunnel construction, there have been changes to the ferry loading lanes and passenger drop-off areas that will remain until the opening of the tunnel.

February 2015 update – The next phase of tunnel construction includes completion of the moving sidewalks, continued installation of the escalators, hook-up of the remaining City of Toronto water and sewer mains, installation of the architectural finishes, completion of the tunnel’s connecting terminal structures and landscaping.

April 2015 update – The pedestrian tunnel is set to open in late spring 2015. The next phase of tunnel construction includes the completion of architectural finishes, elevating devices, removal of the hoarding and completion of the landscaping.

May 2015 update – The next phase of tunnel construction includes architectural finishes, removal of the equipment and hoarding, landscaping and the grand opening later this spring. The Billy Bishop Airport pedestrian tunnel construction began in March 2012 and is expected to be completed in late spring 2015.

June 2015 update – The pedestrian tunnel enters its final stage of construction, which will include the commissioning of the tunnel’s eighth (and final) elevator, architectural finishes, the implementation of a new Digital Out-of-Home advertising platform and passenger service enhancements, and the installation of integral safety and security systems.

July 30, 2015 – Opening day of new Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport pedestrian tunnel
Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport and Mayor John Tory will join in the opening-day events for the new Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport pedestrian tunnel.