Over the past few years while the city has debated the future of transit expansion, the Toronto York Spadina Subway Extension has been digging out a transit future for the northwestern part of the city at an average rate of 15 metres a day. After the completion of the southern tunnels in March (those within Toronto city limits), and the total of amount of tunnel dug sitting around 85%, the digging process on the northern tunnels leading to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Station have been picking up. On June 13th and 14th, Tunnel Boring Machines 'Torkie' and 'Yorkie' completed thier most recent drive, breaking through the headwall at the Steeles Ave West extraction shaft. These twin tunnels now connect Highway 407 Station to Black Creek Pioneer Village Station, passing below the CN Rail Tracks as well as Jane Street and the Black Creek on their journey.

Subway Extension, image alterred from Toronto Transit Commission original to reflect new station names

Now that Yorkie and Torkie's most recent 1,020 metre long drive is complete, they will be dissasembled and then removed via the extraction shaft before being transported back to Highway 407 Station. From there they will start their drive towards Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Station. When completed in 2016 the six-station 8.6-kilometre long Toronto York Spadina Subway Extension is expected to save an average of 30 million car trips to and from the city a year. Check back for more updates soon as tunnelling wraps up and station construction continues! Check out a map of recent and current drives from the TTC below.

Subway Extension Progress, image courtesy of the Toronto Transit Commission