Toronto's new Ontario Line subway just took a massive leap forward

A key station on the 15.6-kilometre Ontario Line subway has advanced through an important milestone, bringing the nightmare of traffic and road closures at one of Toronto's busiest intersections a step closer to clearing.

The provincial government announced the start of excavation work for the Ontario Line's Queen Station on Wednesday. 

The news comes a full two years after the Yonge and Queen intersection was closed down in May 2023, the start of an expected 4.5-year disruption anticipated to last until 2027.

Queen Station on the Ontario Line will sit 40 metres below street level, situated beneath the existing TTC Queen Station on Line 1.

Its excavation will involve the removal of more than 100,000 cubic metres of earth, carving out new platforms ahead of the tunnel boring machines that will soon begin their journey, etching the tunnelled downtown section of the line from Exhibition Place to the Don River.

Queen Station is expected to be the busiest stop on the 15-stop Ontario Line, with a projected 15,000 passengers during peak hours. The station will be one of the line's two interchange points with the Line 1 subway, and is expected to relieve overcrowding at the current busiest interchange at Bloor-Yonge.

"We need to get Toronto moving for drivers, pedestrians and public transit users. The Ontario Line is a vital new public transit option that will alleviate congestion and help hundreds of thousands get to their destination faster," said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow.

"We are partnering together with the province to give riders better public transit options," said Chow, adding, "I'm excited to celebrate this important milestone."