Dozens of trees about to be chopped down for TTC subway extension

Dozens of trees are about to be chopped down in the area of Yonge Street and Clark Avenue, just north of Toronto.

Metrolinx plans to remove 53 trees from properties along Yonge Street south of Morgan Avenue, as well as properties on Clark Avenue, Morgan Avenue and along Glen Cameron Road east of Yonge Street.

The regional transit authority says that the removal of these trees "is necessary to prepare the area for further site clearing work to accommodate future construction of Clark Station" on the TTC's Yonge North Subway Extension (YNSE) project.

According to a notice shared by Metrolinx, crews will work to ensure that no animals are harmed, stating that "Before tree removal work begins, the area will be carefully checked for wildlife and active bird nests."

"Work will move forward following all required environmental and wildlife protection measures and municipal approvals," the notice reads.

Diagram of upcoming tree removals for the Yonge North Subway Extension. Image: Metrolinx

Building demolitions are already underway in this area, as crews set the stage for the station's upcoming construction. The demolitions are part of a broader wave underway along the extension's route, including the teardown of an abandoned Hudson's Bay location.

The YNSE project, now in its early stages of construction, will eventually extend the Yonge Street leg of the TTC's Line 1 Yonge-University almost eight kilometres north from the current terminus at Finch Station deep into Richmond Hill.

Clark Station is one of five new stations that will join Line 1 when the extension opens several years down the line — Metrolinx has not publicly shared an opening timeline — and is expected to put 8,100 people and 1,900 jobs within a 10-minute walk of the subway, with connections to a future extension of Viva Orange bus rapid transit service.

Rendering of Clark Station on the Yonge North Subway Extension. Image: Metrolinx

Metrolinx has advised local residents and businesses that they may hear noise from equipment and trucks during the tree removals, including chainsaws and woodchippers.