The TTC opened its new decade-in-the-making six-stop Line 1 subway extension that will see trains go to Vaughan from north Toronto on Sunday.
The six new subway stations are Downsview Park, Finch West, York University, Pioneer Village, Highway 407 and Vaughan Metropolitan Centre.
Premier Kathleen Wynne joined Minister of Transportation Stephen Del Duca for the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and took the first ride from there to Pioneer Village Subway Station around 8 a.m.
READ MORE: TTC to be free Sunday in honour of new Line 1 subway extension launch
Just after 7:45 a.m., Mayor John Tory, alongside TTC Chair Josh Colle and TTC CEO Andy Byford, boarded the first train northbound from Downsview Park and met Wynne and Del Duca in the middle at Pioneer Village.
“This city fell decades behind on traffic and now we’re trying to make up for lost time,” Tory said. “It’s heralding a new era.”
The $3.18-billion, 8.6-kilometre Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension (TYSSE) into York Region marks the first time a TTC rapid transit line extends beyond the City of Toronto’s borders.
TTC staff and contractors had to work in overdrive after issues with contractors and design changes necessitated a project reset back in March 2015. The TYSSE was two years behind schedule at that point and it needed an extra $150 million to get the job done. Byford committed to opening the extension by the end of 2017.
“I’m particularly excited, this is my final act as CEO of the TTC and I’m proud of my team,” Byford said, who will become the new CEO of the New York City Transit Authority in mid-January. “A huge amount of effort goes into opening a subway extension. You’ve got to build it, license all the equipment, train the staff, get the signalling system working, get everything cleaned up, all the furniture fitted, locks changed, events planned etc., and I couldn’t be prouder of my team today.
“It’s the culmination of years of work.”
Officials say the extension could add an estimated 36 million transit trips while eliminating 30 million car trips. Colle said there are also almost 3000 new parking spots located between all the stops.
The venture was funded by both the federal and provincial government, as well as the city of Toronto and York Region.
All TTC services, including streetcars, buses and subway, are free for riders Sunday up until Monday at 5 a.m. in honour of the extension launch — a cost that will be covered by the province.
READ MORE: TTC set to begin service on Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension Sunday
TYSSE by the numbers
– 1.75 million cubic metres of materials excavated (enough to fill the Rogers Centre)
– 400,000 cubic metres of concrete used (equal to 10 CN Towers)
– 70,000 tonnes of rebar used
– approximately 14 minutes to travel between Sheppard West and Vaughan Metropolitan Centre stations
Source: Toronto Transit Commission
New TTC subway station locations
Downsview Park
Address: 80 Carl Hall Rd., Toronto (vehicular access via. west entrance off of Sheppard Avenue West)
Nearest major intersection: Chesswood Drive and Sheppard Avenue West
On-site vehicle parking?: No
Transit connections: GO train platforms open on Dec. 30, Bus service accessible on Sheppard Avenue West via. sidewalk
Finch West
Address: 3950 Keele St., Toronto
Nearest major intersection: Keele Street and Finch Avenue West
On-site vehicle parking?: Yes (347 spaces)
Transit connections: TTC buses servicing inside and outside of station
York University
Address: 120 Ian Macdonald Blvd., Toronto
Nearest major intersection: Keele Street and The Pond Road
On-site vehicle parking?: No
Transit connections: GO Transit, YRT, Viva and Brampton Zum buses
Pioneer Village
Address: 2800 Steeles Ave. W., Vaughan (north entrance, vehicle parking) and 185 Northwest Gate, Toronto (south entrance, bus terminal)
Nearest major intersection: Jane Street and Steeles Avenue West
On-site vehicle parking?: Yes (1,881 spaces)
Transit connections: TTC and YRT/Viva buses, Wheel-Trans, and YRT Mobility Plus servicing bus terminal
Highway 407
Address: 7332 Jane St., Vaughan
Nearest major intersection: Jane Street and Highway 407
On-site vehicle parking?: Yes (583 spaces)
Transit connections: GO Transit and YRT buses
Vaughan Metropolitan Centre
Address: 3150 Highway 7, Vaughan
Nearest major intersection: Jane Street and Highway 7
On-site vehicle parking?: No
Transit connections: YRT and Viva buses, YRT Mobility Plus servicing outside of station
—With files from Nick Westoll
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