Preliminary work set to begin on the Yonge North Subway Extension project

RICHMOND HILL, ON, June 16, 2017 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Ontario are making investments to create jobs and grow the middle class, while building a foundation for a strong, sustainable economic future. Investing in public infrastructure supports efficient and affordable transit services that help Canadians to safely get to and from work, school and other activities on time.

The Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Markham—Stouffville, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Steven Del Duca, Ontario Minister of Transportation, and Wayne Emmerson, York Region Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, today announced more than $36 million in federal funding to support the planning and preliminary engineering of the proposed 7.4 km extension of the existing Yonge Subway line into York Region.

The Province of Ontario, through the Moving Ontario Forward plan, has committed approximately $55 million for Metrolinx to work with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), the Regional Municipality of York and York Region Rapid Transit Corporation to continue planning and design work on the Yonge North Subway Extension – a priority project identified in Metrolinx's Regional Transportation Plan for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

Once complete, the proposed work would extend the subway from the existing Finch Station to the Richmond Hill Centre in York Region, providing subway service beyond regional boundaries, connecting more people to transit, connecting GO Transit, York VIVA and York Region Transit services, and improving travel around the region. Residents and visitors to the area will have better access to subway service to get them where they need to go on time.

This investment is part of an agreement between Canada and Ontario for the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is committed to investing in public transit infrastructure that will get people where they need to go safely and efficiently, while contributing to economic prosperity and the growth of the middle class. Modern public transit will help make municipalities across Ontario stronger and more inclusive and sustainable. I'm pleased to help support this very important first stage of the Yonge North Subway Extension."

The Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Markham-Stouffville, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"I'm pleased that the federal government is helping York Region and Metrolinx to advance the planning and design for the Yonge North subway extension, which is one of our priority transit projects. Ontario is committed to providing accessible, modern transit infrastructure that will manage congestion, reduce commute times, create jobs and improve the quality of life for Ontarians."

The Honourable Steven Del Duca, Ontario Minister of Transportation

"With the funding being announced today, we can advance the preliminary engineering and design work required to move the Yonge North Subway Extension forward. This project is the number one rapid transit priority of York Regional Council for good reason. It will allow us to keep up with the tremendous growth we are experiencing, it will virtually eliminate the 2,500 daily bus trips now required to service this section of Yonge Street, and it will be the catalyst for job creation and the development of more affordable housing options."

Wayne Emmerson, York Region Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Quick Facts

• This funding is part of the first phase of Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada's historic plan to support public infrastructure across the country.
• The Government of Canada will provide more than $180 billion in infrastructure funding over 12 years for public transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, transportation that supports trade, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
• The Government of Ontario is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, public transit, roads and bridges, and water and wastewater infrastructure in the province's history – more than $190 billion in public infrastructure over 13 years, starting in 2014–15. To learn more about what's happening in your community, go to Ontario.ca/BuildON.
• Since 2004, the Government of Ontario has committed more than $3.7 billion to municipalities across the province through the provincial gas tax program. This funding supports municipal transit systems.

Associated links

Government of Canada's $180-billion+ infrastructure plan in Budget 2017: http://www.budget.gc.ca/2017/docs/plan/chap-02-en.html#Toc477707375

Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/on-eng.html  

The Public Transit Infrastructure Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/ptif-fitc-eng.php

Build ON 2017 Infrastructure Update: https://www.ontario.ca/page/buildon-2017-infrastructure-update

Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

For further information: Brook Simpson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-219-0149, brook.simpson@canada.ca; Celso Pereira, Minister's Office, Ontario Ministry of Transportation, 647-201-9348, Celso.Pereira2@ontario.ca; Jennifer Mitchell, Corporate Communications, York Region, 1-877-464-9675 ext. 71236, 905-955-2533, jennifer.mitchell@york.ca; Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, infc.media.infc@canada.ca