What is the Ontario Line in Toronto?
The Ontario Line is a new 15.6-kilometer (9.7 miles) rapid transit subway designed to transform how people move across Toronto. It will connect key areas of the city, from Exhibition Place to Don Mills Road, making urban travel faster, easier, and more efficient.
Why does Toronto need the Ontario Line?
Toronto is now the third largest city in North America, and its population continues to grow rapidly. As congestion increases, the Ontario Line is essential to:
- Reduce traffic overcrowding
- Improve commute times
- Expand access to jobs and services
Who is building the Ontario Line?
The southern section of the project is being delivered by a joint venture between Ferrovial Construction and VINCI Construction Grands Projets. This partnership is responsible for the design, construction, and financing of the southern segment for Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario.
What does the southern section include?
The Ontario Line Southern project includes:
- 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) of new subway tunnel
- 7 new or upgraded stations (including Exhibition, Osgoode, Queen, Moss Park, and Corktown)
- Major civil works and infrastructure upgrades
It also features Toronto’s first new downtown subway tunnel in over 60 years, marking a major milestone in the city’s transit development.
How will the Ontario Line improve commuting in Toronto?
Once completed, the Ontario Line will:
- Cut travel time across the city to under 30 minutes
- Reduce daily car trips by around 28,000 journeys
- Serve approximately 388,000 passengers per day
- Bring subway access within 10 minutes of home for over 227,000 residents
How does the Ontario Line connect with existing transit?
The new line will integrate seamlessly with:
- Toronto subway (TTC)
- GO Transit commuter rail network
What are the economic and environmental benefits of the Ontario Line?
The main benefits of ther Ontario Line will be:
- Improve access to up to 57,000 additional jobs within 45 minutes
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Support long-term economic growth across Toronto
What makes the Ontario Line innovative?
The project uses advanced construction and engineering techniques, including:
- Tunnel boring machines (TBMs) for underground excavation
- Construction in dense urban environments
- Careful integration with heritage buildings and infrastructure
When will the Ontario Line be ready?
While construction is ongoing, the Ontario Line is expected to become one of the most important transportation corridors in Toronto once completed in 2031, significantly improving daily life for residents and visitors alike.
