The Yonge North Metro Extension has entered the proposal stage after Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario issued an RFP covering stations, rail infrastructure, and related systems.

Toronto Rocket train at Finch Station
Archive photo of a Toronto Rocket train at Finch Station. Photo: Terramorphous / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

The project is one of the most significant expansions of the Greater Toronto Area’s metro network. Procurement will follow the Progressive Owner-Formed Alliance model.

The prequalification phase took place in October 2025. Following that process, ⁠11 participants were shortlisted and invited to compete for one of three separate work packages.

Three Yonge North Metro Extension work packages

Underground stations and infrastructure

The underground package covers Steeles, Clark, and Royal Orchard stations, as well as the Finch Transition Box. Supporting structures include traction power substations and emergency exit buildings.

Four consortia are competing for this package:

  • Trillium Construction Partners — Acciona Infrastructure Canada and Amico Infrastructures;
  • NorthLine Partners — Flatiron Dragados Canada and Green Infrastructure Partners;
  • CrossTransit Group — Ferrovial Construction Canada and Vinci Construction Grands Projects Canada;
  • North Extension Transit Alliance (NExTA) — Aecon Infrastructure Management, Pomerleau Major Projects, and Formento de Construcciones y Contratas Canada.

Above-ground stations and depot

The second package covers the extension’s above-ground elements: Bridge and High Tech stations, the portal structure, and the train depot.

The selected bidders are:

  • Kenaidan Murphy Joint Venture (KMJV) — Kenaidan Infrastructure and Murphy Infrastructure;
  • NorthLine Partners — Flatiron Dragados Canada and Green Infrastructure Partners;
  • North Extension Transit Alliance (NExTA) — Aecon Infrastructure Management, Pomerleau Major Projects, and Formento de Construcciones y Contratas Canada;
  • True North Corridor Alliance — Ledcor Ontario Infrastructure and Bird Construction Industrial Services.

Railway systems integration

The third package deals with systems design and integration. Its scope includes technological systems, railway infrastructure, and work associated with the train depot.

Three candidates have been shortlisted:

  • NorthOne Integration Partner — Arup Canada, Hatch, and Egis Canada;
  • NovaNorth — AtkinsRéalis Canada, NORR Architects & Engineers, and CIMA Canada;
  • WSP-AECOM — WSP Canada and AECOM Canada.

Don’t miss…Florida Hosts the CSX Hazardous Materials Training Institute

Bid selection and project development

Proposal submissions are due to close in late 2026. One successful partner will be chosen for each package, and each winner will sign an alliance agreement with Metrolinx.

During the subsequent development phase, Metrolinx and the selected partners will complete the design, undertake investigations, and conduct preliminary works. The contracting authority will then decide whether to approve the final proposal covering design, costs, and the construction schedule.

Northbound TTC Line 1 train in Toronto
Illustrative photo of a northbound TTC Line 1 subway train in Toronto. Photo: Milan Suvajac / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Route, stations, and transport connections

The scheme will ⁠extend Toronto’s Line 1 by almost 8 km from its existing terminus at Finch Station to Richmond Hill. Its route crosses Toronto and York Region, including areas within Vaughan, Markham, and Richmond Hill.

Plans call for five new stations and a 6.3-km tunnel. In the northern section, trains will use an elevated alignment along the existing rail corridor.

Once completed, the extension will connect directly with York Region Transit and GO Transit, helping to improve mobility across the northern part of the Toronto metropolitan area.

Implementation of the Yonge North Metro Extension is divided between two principal contracts. One covers the Advance Tunnel, while the newly launched procurement encompasses the stations, railway infrastructure, and systems.

Metrolinx projects more than 94,100 daily boardings on the completed extension, with travel-time savings of up to 22 minutes. The agency also estimates that more than 26,000 additional residents and more than 22,900 employees will be within walking distance of a station. Up to seven connections with other transit services are proposed, including Richmond Hill GO train service and York Region Viva bus rapid transit services.

Metrolinx also forecasts a reduction of more than 7,700 vehicle kilometres during the morning rush hour and annual greenhouse-gas savings of more than 4,800 tonnes.

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed:

Don’t miss…Metra Railcar Rehabilitation Completed for 302 Commuter Cars