Ontario Line station construction in Toronto reaches four stations

Ontario Line station construction has moved into a new phase in Toronto’s east end, with Metrolinx starting groundwork at four sites along the planned rapid transit route, according to Metrolinx.

Work is underway at three elevated stations — Thorncliffe Park station, Flemingdon Park station and Don Valley station — while crews are also excavating the underground Cosburn station.

Ontario Line station construction: stations and guideway in the east end

The eastern segment centres on an elevated guideway section that is now taking shape across the area, as outlined by the Government of Ontario. The structure is set to stretch for almost three kilometres, running from Overlea Boulevard in Thorncliffe Park. From there, it will link with Thorncliffe Park station and continue north along Don Mills Road to Flemingdon Park station and Don Valley station.

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At Don Valley, the new line is planned to connect with Line 5 Eglinton. Also, the elevated guideway is intended to tie into tunnels being built beneath Pape Avenue, which are meant to serve Cosburn and Pape stations.

Tunnelling and excavation progress at Pape Avenue and Exhibition

At Pape, excavation is underway to reach the existing interchange. Around 24,000 cubic metres of soil — about one fifth of the required amount — has already been removed.

Separately, preparations at Exhibition are focused on tunnelling work. Two tunnel boring machines, Libby and Corkie, are expected to launch later this year. In addition, work is progressing on a second launch shaft near Gerrard Street, where two additional machines are expected to start excavating northern tunnels.

Bridge works, station builds, and the Ontario Line network goal

Meanwhile, bridge construction is continuing at crossings over the West Don, Don Valley and Lower Don. At the same time, upgrades to existing rail bridges are also taking place in the Riverside and Leslieville areas.

Elsewhere on the Ontario Line, station excavation has either started or finished at downtown locations between Corktown and Exhibition. Crews have begun installing permanent structural elements, including concrete and steel.

Still, the Ontario Line is intended to provide a new rapid transit connection across the city. Project information indicates that journeys between Thorncliffe Park and the downtown area could be reduced from around 40 minutes to approximately 25 minutes once the line is operational. The route is also planned to connect with more than 40 existing and future transit services.

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