Editing Line 1 Yonge–University (section)

==Yonge North extension<span id="Future extensions"></span><span id="Yonge extension"></span><span id="Yonge North Subway Extension"></span><span class="anchor" id="Yonge North expansion plan"></span><span class="anchor" id="YNSE"></span>==

{{Yonge North extension}}
The Yonge North subway extension is a [[Metrolinx]] proposal to extend the Yonge Street portion of Line 1 north of Finch station to [[Richmond Hill, Ontario|Richmond Hill]] in [[Regional Municipality of York|York Region]]. As of 2021, the project entails building two underground stations plus two surface stations north of Finch station. One of the underground stations will be at Steeles Avenue, with the other located at Clark Avenue.<ref name="clark">{{cite web |title=Clark Station to be included as fourth stop on Yonge North Subway Extension |url=https://blog.metrolinx.com/2021/07/16/clark-station-to-be-included-as-fourth-stop-on-yonge-north-subway-extension/ |website=Metrolinx News |publisher=Metrolinx |date=July 16, 2021 |access-date=July 16, 2021 |archive-date=July 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716142248/https://blog.metrolinx.com/2021/07/16/clark-station-to-be-included-as-fourth-stop-on-yonge-north-subway-extension/ |url-status=live }}</ref> From south of [[Ontario Highway 7|Highway 7]], the extension would veer east away from Yonge Street, rising to the surface and then turning north along GO Transit's [[Richmond Hill line]]. The two northernmost stations{{Snd}}one between Highway 7 and [[Ontario Highway 407|Highway 407]] (dubbed "Bridge station" by Metrolinx) and another {{convert|400|m}} farther north at High Tech Road{{Snd}}would be built on the surface along the railway corridor.<ref name="G&M-2021-03-18" /> Bridge station would also be a hub for Viva and GO Transit buses as well as being connected to the existing [[Langstaff GO Station]].<ref name="Metrolinx-2021-04-06" /> The estimated cost of the {{convert|8|km|adj=on}} extension is $5.6{{nbsp}}billion.<ref name="G&M-2021-03-18" /><ref name="Metrolinx-YNSE">{{cite web |url=http://www.metrolinx.com/en/greaterregion/projects/yonge-subway-extension.aspx |title=Yonge North Subway Extension |publisher=[[Metrolinx]] |accessdate=April 10, 2021 |archive-date=April 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417165641/http://www.metrolinx.com/en/greaterregion/projects/yonge-subway-extension.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

Originally, prior to 2021, the extension was to have had five new stops, all underground, located at Cummer/Drewry, Steeles, Clark, Langstaff/Longbridge and the [[Richmond Hill Centre Terminal]] of [[Viva Rapid Transit|Viva bus rapid transit]]. In May 2017, the originally proposed {{convert|7.4|km|mi|adj=on}} extension would have cost $5.6{{nbsp}}billion.<ref name="TheStar-2016-06-02" /><ref name="TheStar-2017-05-09" /> However, by 2021, the cost of this version of the extension had risen to $9.3{{nbsp}}billion, resulting in a reduction of its scope.<ref name="G&M-2021-03-18" />

The extension was projected to take a decade to build and would have replaced many of the 2,500 buses per day that run along the route. Ridership on the proposed extension was estimated at 165,000 per day.<ref name="TheStar-2016-03-03">{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/2016/03/02/york-region-pitches-justin-trudeau-on-yonge-subway-extension.html |title=York Region pitches Justin Trudeau on Yonge subway extension |newspaper=[[Toronto Star]] |first=Tess |last=Kalinowsski |date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=June 3, 2016 |archive-date=June 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602231832/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/2016/03/02/york-region-pitches-justin-trudeau-on-yonge-subway-extension.html |url-status=live }}</ref> York Region estimated that the extension would help to create 31,000 jobs,<ref name="TheStar-2016-06-02">{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/06/02/yonge-subway-extension-to-york-region-takes-step-forward.html |title=Yonge subway extension to York Region takes step forward |newspaper=[[Toronto Star]] |first=Ben |last=Spurr |date=June 2, 2016 |access-date=June 3, 2016 |archive-date=June 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602231742/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/06/02/yonge-subway-extension-to-york-region-takes-step-forward.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and that the extension would carry 58{{nbsp}}million riders annually by 2031.<ref name="OMT-2016-06-02" />
{{wide image|File:North Yonge Subway Extension map.svg|650px|caption=Schematic map of the Yonge North extension}}
===Plan history===
On June 15, 2007, the Ontario government announced plans to fund this extension as part of a network of rapid transit growth called [[MoveOntario 2020]].<ref name="ON-2007">Government of Ontario (2007). [http://www.premier.gov.on.ca/news/Product.asp?ProductID=1385 MoveOntario 2020 Projects] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070709090118/http://www.premier.gov.on.ca/news/Product.asp?ProductID=1385 |date=July 9, 2007}} Retrieved on October 14, 2007.</ref>

In April 2009, the environmental assessment for the Yonge North subway extension was approved.<ref name="OMT-2016-06-02">{{cite web |url=https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2016/06/yonge-north-subway-extension-planning-moving-forward.html |title=Yonge North Subway Extension Planning Moving Forward |publisher=Ontario Ministry of Transportation |date=June 2, 2016 |access-date=June 5, 2016 |archive-date=June 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602140216/https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2016/06/yonge-north-subway-extension-planning-moving-forward.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In November 2014, an addendum to the environmental assessment was approved to include an underground train storage facility and surface facilities.<ref name="OMT-2016-06-02" />

By 2016, the province had committed to fund 15 percent of the preliminary engineering and design for the project.<ref name="TheStar-2016-03-03" />

On June 2, 2016, the provincial government gave $55{{nbsp}}million to [[Metrolinx]] in order to work with the TTC and York Region on a detailed plan for the subway extension.<ref name="TheStar-2016-06-02" /><ref name="OMT-2016-06-02" />

In May 2017, Toronto mayor [[John Tory]] announced he would not support planning for the Yonge North subway extension unless there was a funding commitment for the [[Relief Line (Toronto)|Relief Line]] to relieve crowding on Line 1, expected to be at capacity by 2031. If such a funding commitment had been authorized, city staff could have completed 15 to 30 percent of the design for both projects, including schedules and better estimates, by the end of 2019. As of May 2017, planning was more advanced for the Yonge extension than for the Relief Line,<ref name="TheStar-2017-05-09">{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/05/09/mayor-john-tory-threatens-to-block-subway-extension-unless-province-pays-for-relief-line.html |title=Mayor John Tory threatens to block subway extension unless province pays for relief line |newspaper=[[Toronto Star]] |first=Ben |last=Spurr |date=May 9, 2017 |access-date=May 9, 2017 |archive-date=May 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170509174332/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/05/09/mayor-john-tory-threatens-to-block-subway-extension-unless-province-pays-for-relief-line.html |url-status=live }}</ref> though the latter has since been replaced with the [[Ontario Line]] under the premiership of [[Doug Ford]].

{{External media|title=Metrolinx media|image1=[https://assets.metrolinx.com/image/upload/f_auto,c_limit,w_3840,q_auto/Images/Metrolinx/YNSE_Map_-_December_2023.jpg Map of extension as proposed in October 2023]}}

By March 2021, Metrolinx had reduced the scope of the project in order to reduce the estimated project cost from $9.3{{nbsp}}billion to $5.6{{nbsp}}billion. The number of stations was reduced from six underground stations to two underground stations plus two surface stations. Two of the three originally proposed underground stations at Cummer Avenue, Clark Avenue and Royal Orchard Boulevard would be eliminated, saving $400 to $500{{nbsp}}million per station, with only the station at Steeles Avenue being retained. The two northernmost stations, Langstaff/Longbridge and Richmond Hill Centre, would be replaced by the surface Bridge and High Tech stations. As well, the storage yard at the north end of the line would be built on the surface rather than underground.<ref name="G&M-2021-03-18">{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/toronto/article-ontario-scales-back-on-proposed-yonge-subway-extension/ |title=Ontario scales back on proposed Yonge subway extension |newspaper=[[The Globe and Mail]] |first=Oliver |last=Moore |date=March 18, 2021 |accessdate=March 18, 2021 |archive-date=March 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318105102/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/toronto/article-ontario-scales-back-on-proposed-yonge-subway-extension/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Metrolinx-2021-04-06">{{cite web |url=https://blog.metrolinx.com/2021/04/06/a-launch-pad-to-explore-the-region-a-closer-look-at-bridge-station/ |title=A launch pad to explore the region: a closer look at Bridge Station |publisher=[[Metrolinx]] |date=April 6, 2021 |accessdate=April 7, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210406174938/https://blog.metrolinx.com/2021/04/06/a-launch-pad-to-explore-the-region-a-closer-look-at-bridge-station/ | archivedate=April 6, 2021 }}</ref> [[Markham City Council]] voted to reject this new route realignment including all surface portions of the route. This in effect cancelled the route option that the city council voted against. In July 2021 and January 2022 respectively, the province announced that the stations at Clark Avenue and Royal Orchard Boulevard would be retained; Royal Orchard station was to be funded by revenues related to the [[Urban density|intensification]] of the surrounding area as a [[Transit-oriented development|transit-oriented community]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/yonge-north-subway-stop-announcement-1.6105418 |title=Ontario announces 4th stop on Yonge North subway extension |work=CBC News |date=July 16, 2021 |access-date=July 16, 2021 |archive-date=July 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716173042/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/yonge-north-subway-stop-announcement-1.6105418 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Royal Orchard stn">{{cite news|url=https://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/10554381-province-adds-royal-orchard-station-in-thornhill-to-yonge-subway-extension/|title=Province adds Royal Orchard station in Thornhill to Yonge subway extension|last=Riedner|first=Heidi|newspaper=Thornhill Liberal|date=January 14, 2022|access-date=January 14, 2022|archive-date=January 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114185629/https://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/10554381-province-adds-royal-orchard-station-in-thornhill-to-yonge-subway-extension/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Procurement ===
The Yonge North subway extension consists of two primary contracts. The contracts are:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Yonge North Subway Extension |url=https://www.infrastructureontario.ca/en/what-we-do/projectssearch/yonge-north-subway-extension/ |access-date=May 6, 2023 |website=Infrastructure Ontario |language=en |archive-date=May 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506030906/https://www.infrastructureontario.ca/en/what-we-do/projectssearch/yonge-north-subway-extension/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Advance tunnel ====
On April 27, 2023, Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for the advance tunnel contract, marking the first phase of procurement for the Yonge North subway extension.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Request for Qualifications Issued for Advance Tunnel Contract on the Yonge North Subway Extension |url=https://www.infrastructureontario.ca/en/news-and-media/news/advance-tunnel-yonge-north-subway-extension/request-for-qualifications-issued-for-advance-tunnel-contract-on-the-yonge-north-subway-extension/ |access-date=May 6, 2023 |website=Infrastructure Ontario |language=en |archive-date=May 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506030909/https://www.infrastructureontario.ca/en/news-and-media/news/advance-tunnel-yonge-north-subway-extension/request-for-qualifications-issued-for-advance-tunnel-contract-on-the-yonge-north-subway-extension/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

This contract will include the design and construction of:

* A {{Convert|6.3|km|adj=on}} tunnel from the existing [[Finch station]] to a portal south of Highway 407
* Design and construction of launch and extraction shafts, tunnels, as well as headwalls for stations and support of excavation for emergency exit buildings
* Design, procurement, and supply of tunnel-boring machines and tunnel liner segments
* Reinforcement and improvement of soil and works necessary to facilitate tunnelling under and next to the CN Railway tracks and the York–Durham sewage system
* Construction of CN right-of-way separation barriers to expedite safe corridor access and construction

To expedite construction, tunnelling will begin first, followed by a separate contract to build the stations, rail, and systems.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 27, 2023 |title=RFQ issued for tunnelling work on Yonge North Subway Extension |url=https://canada.constructconnect.com/dcn/news/infrastructure/2023/04/rfq-issued-for-tunnelling-work-on-yonge-north-subway-extension |work=ConstructConnect |access-date=April 27, 2023 |archive-date=April 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427233925/https://canada.constructconnect.com/dcn/news/infrastructure/2023/04/rfq-issued-for-tunnelling-work-on-yonge-north-subway-extension |url-status=live }}</ref>

On December 1, 2023, Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx released a request for proposals (RFP) for the advance tunnel contract package. The three teams previously shortlisted through the RFQ process{{Snd}}including CrossTransit Group ([[Vinci SA|Vinci]], [[Ferrovial]], Sener, Janin Atlas), North End Connectors ([[Aecon]], [[ACS Group|Dragados]], [[Ghella (company)|Ghella]], EXP, TYPSA), and Toronto-York Tunnel Connectors ([[Acciona]], [[Bouygues]], Hatch, [[Parsons Corporation|Parsons]]){{Snd}}were invited to submit proposals detailing how they will deliver the project. Upon evaluating the proposals received, IO and Metrolinx expect to award this tunnelling contract in late 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Request for Proposals Issued to Shortlisted Teams for the Yonge North Subway Extension Tunnelling Contract|url=https://www.infrastructureontario.ca/en/news-and-media/news/advance-tunnel-yonge-north-subway-extension/rfp-to-shortlisted-teams-for-the-yonge-north-subway-extension-tunnelling/ |access-date=December 1, 2023 |website=Infrastructure Ontario |language=en}}</ref>

==== Stations, rails and systems ====
As of Infrastructure Ontario's March 2023 update, there is no timeline identified for the procurement of the stations, rails and systems (SRS) contract.<ref>{{Cite web |title=March 2023 Market Update |url=https://www.infrastructureontario.ca/en/news-and-media/news/market-update/march-2023-market-update/ |access-date=May 6, 2023 |website=Infrastructure Ontario |language=en |archive-date=May 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506030909/https://www.infrastructureontario.ca/en/news-and-media/news/market-update/march-2023-market-update/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Capacity constraints===
{{update section|date=March 2024}}
Toronto council approved the plan in principle in January 2009 provided there were upgrades to the existing line to support the additional ridership from York Region.<ref name="NP-2009-02-18">{{cite news |last=Haynes |first=Allison |date=January 6, 2009 |title=City's Demands Push Price Of Subway To $5B |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/toronto/story.html?id=1146889 |newspaper=National Post |location=[[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], Canada}}{{dead link|date=August 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Specifically, Toronto politicians stated that the Yonge line does not have the capacity to support an extension to Richmond Hill until a separate relief line is built between Pape and Osgoode stations. In the morning rush hours, southbound trains on the Yonge line usually reach capacity between York Mills and Eglinton stations.<ref name="TheStar-2016-03-03" />

In March 2016, York Region officials stated their belief that SmartTrack, [[GO Expansion|electrified GO service]], the Spadina subway extension and [[automatic train control]] would be implemented by 2026 and be sufficient to support the extra ridership of an extension to Richmond Hill. Thus, the deputy mayor of Richmond Hill wanted to start construction of the extension by 2019.<ref name="TheStar-2016-03-03" /> Vaughan politicians and officials noted a June 2015 Metrolinx report which indicated the Yonge line would have enough capacity to carry the new demand if the Spadina extension and [[GO Transit Regional Express Rail|Regional Express Rail]]<!--Don't bypass redirect per [[WP:NOTBROKEN]]--> on the Richmond Hill line were implemented.<ref name="TheStar-2016-03-03a">{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/2016/03/03/vaughan-councillor-challenges-yonge-subway-no-capacity-mythology.html |title=Vaughan councillor challenges Yonge subway 'no-capacity mythology' |newspaper=[[Toronto Star]] |first=Tess |last=Kalinowski |date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=June 9, 2016 |archive-date=August 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805225857/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/2016/03/03/vaughan-councillor-challenges-yonge-subway-no-capacity-mythology.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ML-2015-06-25">{{cite web |url=http://www.metrolinx.com/en/docs/pdf/board_agenda/20150625/2015-06-25_Yonge_Relief_Network_Study.pdf |title=Yonge Relief Network Study |publisher=[[Metrolinx]] |first1=Leslie |last1=Woo |first2=Anna |last2=Pace |date=June 25, 2015 |access-date=June 9, 2016 |archive-date=March 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313120745/http://www.metrolinx.com/en/docs/pdf/board_agenda/20150625/2015-06-25_Yonge_Relief_Network_Study.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> However, Metrolinx has no immediate plans to provide electrified GO service on the Richmond Hill line and Toronto transit advocate [[Steve Munro]] noted that the line would be at 96 percent capacity in the peak hour and there would be some overcrowding due to variations in traffic over the hour.<ref name="TheStar-2015-04-17">{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/2015/04/17/go-to-add-30-per-cent-more-trains-in-next-5-years-s.html |title=GO to add almost 50 per cent more trains in next 5 years |newspaper=[[Toronto Star]] |first=Tess |last=Kalinowski |date=April 17, 2015 |access-date=March 30, 2016 |archive-date=March 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307142352/http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/2015/04/17/go-to-add-30-per-cent-more-trains-in-next-5-years-s.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="SteveMunro-2016-07-05">{{cite web |url=https://stevemunro.ca/2016/07/05/york-region-wants-a-subway-overstates-available-capacity/ |title=York Region Wants a Subway, Overstates Available Capacity |first=Steve |last=Munro |author-link=Steve Munro |date=July 5, 2016 |access-date=July 11, 2016 |archive-date=September 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921221326/https://stevemunro.ca/2016/07/05/york-region-wants-a-subway-overstates-available-capacity/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2016, the Toronto mayor's office said that [[SmartTrack]] and automatic train control may have also been required, which was reaffirmed by TTC spokesperson Brad Ross that June.<ref name="TheStar-2016-03-03" /><ref name="TheStar-2016-06-02" /> This was affirmed again by Metrolinx in January 2019, thus reversing its opinion in its June 2015 report. The 2019 report also predicted that if both phase 1 of the then-planned [[Relief Line (Toronto)|Relief Line]] to Pape station and the Yonge North extension had been built, Line 1 would have been over capacity by 2041. At that point, the Relief Line would have needed to be extended farther north.<ref name="TheStar-2019-01-31">{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/01/31/relief-line-must-open-before-yonge-north-subway-extension-says-metrolinx.html |title=Relief Line must open before Yonge North subway extension, says Metrolinx |newspaper=[[Toronto Star]] |first=Ben |last=Spurr |date=January 31, 2019 |access-date=January 31, 2019 |archive-date=February 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190201040208/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/01/31/relief-line-must-open-before-yonge-north-subway-extension-says-metrolinx.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the Relief Line was later replaced by the [[Ontario Line]], which will run to Eglinton Avenue at [[Don Valley station]] to meet with Line 5 Eglinton.

===Busway===
{{Main|Yonge Street Rapidway}}
Given the wait for the Richmond Hill extension, there were plans to construct [[Viva Rapid Transit|Viva Bus Rapid Transit]] bus lanes along Yonge Street from Finch Avenue to Highway 7.<ref name="Metrolinx-2014-04-23">{{cite web |title=York Region vivaNext Rapidways |url=http://www.bigmove.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/TBM_ProjectsInProgress-York-Region-vivaNext-Rapidways.pdf |work=[[Metrolinx]] |access-date=April 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424044035/http://www.bigmove.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/TBM_ProjectsInProgress-York-Region-vivaNext-Rapidways.pdf |archive-date=April 24, 2014}}</ref> However, by April 2014, the plan was scrapped in favour of only constructing the busway north of Highway 7.{{cn|date=July 2023|reason=Source needed for date}} A group in York Region had lobbied for the plan's cancellation due to concerns about a loss of treed boulevards and private property when widening Yonge Street for bus lanes through [[Thornhill, Ontario|Thornhill]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yorkregion.com/opinion-story/1422958-don-t-count-on-yonge-subway-just-yet/ |title=Editorials – Don't count on Yonge subway just yet |via=Yorkregion.com |newspaper=[[The Newmarket Era]] |date=August 15, 2007 |access-date=June 6, 2016 |archive-date=July 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701140251/https://www.yorkregion.com/opinion-story/1422958-don-t-count-on-yonge-subway-just-yet/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The revised busway opened in December 2020.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=YRTViva |number=1339635960749977601 |title=As of this Sunday, Dec. 20, Viva blue 🐳 riders can travel along the new corridor on Yonge.}}</ref>