Federal government marks continued progress on the Ontario Line

TORONTO, Nov. 6, 2026 /CNW/ -- Today the Government of Canada marked another milestone in the construction of the Ontario Line as the first tunnel boring machine (TBM) broke through to the future King West Station in downtown Toronto. This represents the first time a TBM has reached a station on the new subway line. Once complete, the Ontario Line is expected to accommodate nearly 390,000 daily boardings and bring nearly 230,000 more people within walking distance of rapid transit, while supporting 4,700 jobs annually during construction.

The first TBM, nicknamed Libby, began tunnelling in April 2026 and has since travelled approximately 1.3 kilometres from its launch shaft east of Exhibition Station, installing approximately 780 tunnel lining rings along the way. Following its breakthrough to the future King West Station, crews will conduct testing and maintenance on the machine before it continues tunnelling toward the future Chinatown Station. A second TBM, nicknamed Corkie, is expected to arrive in December to begin excavating the parallel tunnel.

Located at King Street West and Bathurst Street, the future King West Station will bring subway service to the heart of Toronto's Fashion District, putting 27,000 people and 24,200 jobs within walking distance of rapid transit. The station is expected to serve approximately 5,100 customers during the busiest travel hour, with another 2,400 transfers between the Ontario Line and connecting services. Riders will also benefit from convenient connections to the TTC's 504 King and 511 Bathurst streetcar routes, making it easier to reach jobs, homes and businesses across the city.

The Government of Canada is investing more than $4 billion in the Ontario Line, the single largest federal public transit investment in Toronto. The Government of Ontario is leading the project's construction through Metrolinx.

Quotes

"The Ontario Line will help to transform the GTA, making it faster and easier for residents to reach home, school, or work. By working together we are building the first new subway line in Toronto in decades, and we are thrilled to see progress continue."

The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada

"Stretching over 15 kilometres, the Ontario Line subway will be game changing infrastructure for Toronto, accommodating hundreds of thousands of people to move around the city everyday. It's thrilling to see progress continue on this important project and know that tunnelling has now reached the site of the future King West Station."

Chi Nguyen, Member of Parliament for Spadina--Harbourfront

"Every kilometre of tunnelling brings us closer to delivering a new subway line that will transform how people travel across Toronto. This breakthrough is another major milestone in our government's plan to deliver the largest subway expansion in Canadian history, cut commute times by up to 40 minutes and take thousands of cars off the road every day. We're making historic progress on the Ontario Line, creating thousands of good-paying jobs and building the transit network our growing communities need."

The Honourable Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario's Minister of Transportation

"Torontonians want transit that's fast, reliable and close to home, and today's Ontario Line breakthrough brings that a step closer. King West Station will bring subway service to the heart of the Fashion District, with direct connections to the 504 King and 511 Bathurst streetcars. The city will continue working with our Federal and Provincial partners to keep the Ontario Line moving and make it easier for people to get to work, school and everything our city has to offer."

Her Worship Olivia Chow, Mayor of the City of Toronto

"After decades without tunnelling under downtown Toronto, the Ontario Line project continues to hit significant milestones every month. Every completed bridge, every excavated station, and every tunnel breakthrough brings us closer to the realizing of a project that Torontonians need and deserve."

Michael Lindsay, President and CEO of Metrolinx

Quick facts

• Once complete, the 15.6-kilometre Ontario Line will connect Exhibition Place to the Eglinton Crosstown LRT at Don Mills Road, with 15 new stations and more than 40 connections to subway, bus, streetcar and regional rail services.
• The Government of Canada is contributing over $4 billion towards the Ontario Line.
• This is part of the federal government's historic investment of over $10 billion in the Ontario Line, Scarborough Subway Extension, Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, and the Yonge North Subway Extension.
• During peak periods, the Ontario Line will reduce crowding by up to 15 per cent on the busiest stretch of TTC's Line 1 between Bloor-Yonge and Wellesley and cut travel times across Toronto by as much as 40 minutes.
• Tunnelling for the Ontario Line's twin downtown tunnels is progressing in phases, with the first tunnel boring machine digging the tunnel for the eastbound track, followed by the second tunnel boring machine, which is digging the tunnel for the westbound track.
• Earlier this year, the province broke ground on an elevated guideway for the Ontario Line and four new stations in Toronto's east end. This segment will improve access to 14,800 jobs in the area and bring 30,500 people within walking distance of transit.

Associated links

Federal government highlights progress on Ontario Line subway
https://www.canada.ca/en/housing-infrastructure-communities/news/2026/04/federal-government-highlights-progress-on-ontario-line-subway.html

Largest public transit investment in GTA history will create jobs and kickstart the economy
https://www.canada.ca/en/housing-infrastructure-communities/news/2021/05/largest-public-transit-investment-in-gta-history-will-create-jobs-and-kickstart-the-economy.html

Housing and Infrastructure Project Map
https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html

Ontario Line
https://www.metrolinx.com/en/projects-and-programs/ontario-line

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SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

Contacts: For more information (media only), please contact: Jenna Ghassabeh, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, [e-mail]; Media Relations, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [e-mail]; Dakota Brasier, Ministry of Transportation, Minister's Office, [e-mail]