Second Ontario Line Tunnel Shaft Marks Key Milestone in Toronto Transit Expansion

The Ontario government has officially broken ground on the second tunnel launch shaft for the Ontario Line near the future Gerrard Station. This shaft will serve as the northern starting point for tunnel boring machines, which are set to dig three kilometres of twin tunnels beneath Pape Avenue. Once complete, the shaft will function as a critical portal where Ontario Line trains transition from above-ground to underground tracks.

Gerrard Station, positioned just south of the shaft, will place nearly 12,000 residents within walking distance of the line. During peak hours, more than 3,000 passengers are expected to use the station daily. The tunnels will also connect directly to TTC’s Line 2 at Pape Station, reducing crowding on one of the busiest subway corridors by approximately 21 percent.

The Ontario Line will extend 15.6 kilometres, linking 15 stations from Exhibition Place to Don Valley Station. Expected to serve 388,000 daily boardings once operational, the project represents one of the largest transit expansions in North America.