A major chapter in Toronto’s transit future has officially begun. Tunnel boring machines are now digging beneath the city for the long-awaited Ontario Line, marking one of the most significant milestones yet in a project expected to reshape how millions move across the GTA.
Leaders from all levels of government gathered to celebrate the launch of tunnelling on the 15.6-kilometre rapid transit line, which will connect Exhibition Place in the west to the eastern transit corridor near Don Mills and the Eglinton Crosstown LRT. Once complete, the line will feature 15 stations and more than 40 transit connections.
Two tunnel boring machines, named Libby and Corkie, will carve twin tunnels deep below Toronto streets as crews push eastward from Exhibition Station. The tunnels will reach roughly 40 metres underground before trains eventually emerge near the Don Valley corridor.
Premier Doug Ford called the moment historic, saying the line is expected to cut some commute times by up to 40 minutes. Olivia Chow described it as part of a broader investment to reduce congestion and improve movement across the city, while Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria highlighted the thousands of jobs tied to the build.
For residents in Toronto, this project could dramatically change daily travel. But its benefits may extend far beyond city limits. Commuters from Brampton, Mississauga, Hamilton and across the GTA who connect through Toronto’s transit network could also see smoother transfers and stronger regional mobility once the system is complete.
Construction is already active at several future stations, including areas such as King West, Moss Park, Chinatown, and the Distillery District. Exhibition Station alone is expected to become a major interchange, serving thousands of riders during rush hour.
The wait, however, is far from over. The Ontario Line is not expected to open until the early 2030s, meaning years of construction still lie ahead.
Yet for a city long defined by traffic and crowded transit, the sound of tunnelling machines may be more than construction noise—it may be the sound of progress finally arriving.