New floating subway station in Toronto is about to sprout from the ground

A new elevated subway station in Toronto's Leslieville neighbourhood is about to sprout from the ground as part of the province's 15.6-kilometre, $34-billion Ontario Line project.

Metrolinx has announced that construction of support columns for the future Leslieville Station will commence next month, kicking off a nine-month process that will see the first above-ground construction for the new transit link.

Set to be constructed above Queen Street East between Broadview and Carlaw, the future Leslieville Station will be one of three above-ground stations on a stretch of existing elevated rail corridor situated between the line's two tunnelled sections, and one of six total elevated stations on the route.

Work on the station launched earlier this year, with early works including site preparation and utility relocations now giving way to deep foundation work.

The station will be supported by a series of massive columns, or piers, which will extend north and south of Queen Street on the west side of the rail corridor, widened in 2024 to support extra tracks.

Construction of these columns is set to begin next month, expected to stretch between September 7, 2026 and May 28, 2027.

During this stage of construction, crews will assemble steel rebar cages, erect concrete forms, and pour concrete to construct the supporting columns.

Rendering of how Queen Street East will appear during construction of the station in 2026 and early 2027.

Metrolinx states that "Crews will begin work on the eight columns in the south work area at Queen St. East and Strange Street, then continue construction of another eight columns in the north work area at Queen St. East and De Grassi Street."

Rendering of how Queen Street East will appear during construction of the station in late 2027.

The task will be carried out largely from Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., though Metrolinx notes that some concrete work "may need to continue without interruption to ensure the structural integrity of the columns."

Construction of the station's supporting piers will pave the way for the late 2027 start of work on the station superstructure above and flanking Queen Street East, a task expected to last between five and seven months.

The superstructure and station build-out is expected to continue into 2028, joined by installation of the station facade and other architectural elements. Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and finishing work are all projected to begin in 2028.

Station construction is expected to reach the finishing stages in 2029, including final facade work, restoration of construction areas, and the removal of staging zones.

Estimated view of station construction in 2028 (upper) and 2029 (lower).

While the current timeline has the station reaching readiness in just three years, the provincial government has not committed to a specific opening date or even year, currently providing a vague "2030s" timeline for the line's completion.

Once work wraps up, Leslieville will be one of 15 stations along the route from Exhibition Place to Don Mills and Eglinton, expected to relieve overcrowded interchanges between the TTC's busy Line 1 and 2 subway routes.