Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario have released the Initial Business Case for Ontario Line subway in Toronto. Recognizing the pressing need to serve the fast growing Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) an option for a new rapid transit line was developed - based on the existing plans for the Relief Line South subway and initial analysis for the Relief Line North extension, to better expand the transportation network as well as allow for faster delivery and cost optimization.

The Ontario Line subway project is an approximately 16 km free-standing subway line, connecting Ontario Place/Exhibition through downtown Toronto to the Ontario Science Centre.

The line will better connect people to where they want to go, and reduce travel times across Toronto. The new innovative transit route will go through the heart of the city and feature 15 potential stations, including six interchange stations adding 17 new connections to GO Transit, existing subways and streetcars.

The Ontario Line Initial Business Case was developed with the intent to accelerate delivery of the new transit line, serve additional markets and reduce costs per kilometre while staying true to the plans developed by the City of Toronto, TTC and Metrolinx.

The Ontario Line concept was developed iteratively and with the flexibility to allow for implementation using a public-private partnership, transferring risks to a Project Company that would also have the freedom to determine the exact design and technology within set parameters. Infrastructure Ontario President and CEO Ehren Cory has announced the Ontario Line will use a P3 contractual structure.

He said: “This is an incredible opportunity for local companies and those around the world to support a historic transit project leveraging our homegrown P3 delivery model. The Ontario Line and the other subway projects will also include many transit-oriented development opportunities. We will be actively engaging industry to share more details and gather input on how best to deliver this ambitious project.”

The total Present Value of Costs of the project Adjusted for P3 Delivery according to the business case is between CAD 9.6 billion (USA 7.3 billion) and CAD 10.2 billion (USA 7.7 billion).

Some of the benefits of the Ontario Line include:

• Fully automated, driverless trains with modern signaling that enables high-frequency service (similar technology is being used in Paris, London and Singapore)
• Shorter trains and platforms approximately 100 metres in length
• Up to 6 km of the route to be elevated or at grade in existing rail corridors, isolated from traffic which helps to significantly lower the cost of the project
• Up to 40 trains per hour, 90 seconds apart vs every two minutes, providing shorter wait times
• Travel time savings to Toronto neighbourhoods
• More Connections
• Less Crowding

The Initial Business Case is the first stage of the evidence-based decision-making process. The team of experts will continue to refine their work to the next stage through the Business Case life cycle.