Massive $1.5 billion Bloor-Yonge project takes key step forward

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Posted By: jasabacklink March 6, 2024

The TTC’s Bloor-Yonge Capacity Improvements project (BYCI) is slowly making progress. On Tuesday, the TTC released a request for proposals (RFP) to three candidates for the Bloor-Yonge Capacity Improvements project (BYCI).

The three teams—shortlisted through a request for pre-qualification (RFPQ) process conducted last year and are now invited to respond to the RFP—are:

  • The Bloor-Yonge Crossline Partners (team lead: Aecon Infrastructure Management, Inc.)
  • EllisDon-Barnard Joint Venture, a joint venture between EllisDon Civil Ltd. and Barnard Constructors of Canada LP (team lead: EllisDon Civil, Ltd.)
  • Kenaidan Murphy Joint Venture, a joint venture between Kenaidan Infrastructure, Ltd. and Murphy Infrastructure, Inc. (team lead – Kenaidan Infrastructure, Ltd.)

The $1.5 billion project is funded jointly by the City of Toronto, the Government of Ontario, and the Government of Canada. Once complete, the subway will be significantly expanded, improving efficiency and capacity and reducing overcrowding during rush hours.

Work will include the construction of a second platform on Line 2 for eastbound service, an expansion of the Line 1 northbound and southbound platforms, new elevators, escalators, and stairs, and a new accessible entrance and exit on the south side of Bloor Street East.

Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation, noted in a statement that the expansion is part of Ontario’s $80 billion investment in public transit—the largest expansion in Canadian history.

Bloor-Yonge Station project rendering (TTC)

“Working with the City of Toronto, Premier Ford and our government will continue to invest in public transit to make life more convenient and affordable for families, supporting economic growth for decades to come,” Sarkaria noted.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said she was “pleased” to see the expansion of Bloor-Yonge Station moving forward, as the city works to ensure that public transit infrastructure keeps up with the pace of growth.

“I am grateful for the support of all levels of government in this project, as we continue to work towards a reliable, accessible, safe, and modern transit system now and in the future,” Chow noted.

TTC Chair Jamaal Myers also commented on the project, noting that Bloor-Yonge Station is one of the busiest stations in the TTC’s network, and that  “this project will significantly renovate and expand the station,” ensuring that the city provides reliable public transit for the riders who use it every day.

According to the TTC, in 2019, line 1 ridership was 210,000 per day or 65,000,000 annually. Line 2 ridership was 180,000 per day (55,000,000 annually). There were 220,000 unique customers to Bloor-Yonge Station per day (67,000,000 annually), and morning rush hour ridership was about 26,000.

In five years, these numbers are expected to increase sharply. By 2029, line 1 ridership is expected to reach 270,000 per day (83,000,000 annually). Line 2 ridership is expected to reach  225,000 per day (69,000,000 annually), with 280,000 unique customers expected at the Bloor-Yonge Station each day (86,000,000 annually). Morning rush hour ridership is expected to reach 31,000.

As for the BYCI proposals—the three shortlisted teams will submit their proposals later this year, and the TTC will likely award the contract by the end of the year. Construction is expected to begin in 2026.