Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

11/06/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/06/2026 08:41

Ontario Line Tunnel Boring Machine Breaks Through to Future King West Station

Share

Content

TORONTO - The Ontario government is marking another milestone in the construction of the Ontario Line, as the first tunnel boring machine (TBM) breaks through to the future King West Station in downtown Toronto. This breakthrough represents the first time a TBM has reached a station on the new subway line. Once complete, the Ontario Line is expected to accommodate nearly 390,000 daily boardings and bring nearly 230,000 more people within walking distance of rapid transit, while supporting 4,700 jobs annually during construction.

"Every kilometre of tunnelling brings us closer to delivering a new subway line that will transform how people travel across Toronto," said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. "The Ontario Line will expand access to fast, reliable transit, cut commute times and reduce gridlock by taking thousands of cars off the road every day while creating thousands of good-paying jobs during construction."

The first TBM, nicknamed Libby, began tunnelling in April 2026 and has since travelled approximately 1.3 kilometres from its launch shaft east of Exhibition Station, installing approximately 780 tunnel lining rings along the way. Following its breakthrough to the future King West Station, crews will conduct testing and maintenance on the machine before it continues tunnelling toward the future Chinatown Station. A second TBM, nicknamed Corkie, is excavating a parallel tunnel and will arrive at King West Station in December.

"The Ontario Line will help to transform the GTA, making it faster and easier for residents to reach home, school or work," said the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada. "By working together, we are building the first new subway line in Toronto in decades, and we are thrilled to see progress continue."

Located at King Street West and Bathurst Street, the future King West Station will bring subway service to the heart of Toronto's Fashion District, putting 27,000 people and 24,200 jobs within walking distance of rapid transit. The station is expected to serve approximately 5,100 customers during the busiest travel hour, with 2,400 transfers providing direct connections to other transit services like the TTC's 504 King and 511 Bathurst streetcars.

Ontario is investing nearly $70 billion in public transit, including the largest subway expansion in Canadian history: the Ontario Line, Scarborough Subway Extension, Eglinton Crosstown West Extension and Yonge North Subway Extension.

Quick Facts

  • Once complete, the 15.6-kilometre Ontario Line will connect Exhibition Place to Line 5 Eglinton at Don Valley Station.
  • During peak periods, the Ontario Line will reduce crowding by up to 15 per cent on the busiest stretch of TTC's Line 1 between Bloor-Yonge and Wellesley and cut travel times across Toronto by as much as 40 minutes.
  • Earlier this year, the province broke ground on an elevated guideway for the Ontario Line and four new stations in Toronto's east end that will improve access to 14,800 jobs in the area and bring 30,500 people within walking distance of transit.
  • The Government of Canada is contributing over $4 billion toward the construction of the Ontario Line.

Quotes

"This breakthrough at King West Station means real results for the people of Ontario. Through our government's $236 billion capital plan to build and Protect Ontario, we are planning a transit-oriented community (TOC) at the King-West station which will deliver nearly 680 new homes. Our government's historic investments in modern subway networks are shaping and connecting communities, supporting economic growth and improving daily life. I welcome this landmark progress on the Ontario Line and remain committed to building the critical infrastructure our province needs for the future."

- David Piccini
Minister of Infrastructure

"Torontonians want transit that's fast, reliable and close to home and today's Ontario Line breakthrough brings that a step closer. King West Station will bring subway service to the heart of the Fashion District, with direct connections to the 504 King and 511 Bathurst streetcars. The City will continue working with the province to keep the Ontario Line moving and make it easier for people to get to work, school and everything our city has to offer."

- Olivia Chow
Mayor of Toronto

"After decades without tunnelling under downtown Toronto, the Ontario Line project continues to hit significant milestones every month. Every completed bridge, every excavated station, and every tunnel breakthrough brings us closer to the realizing of a project that Torontonians need and deserve."

- Michael Lindsay
President and CEO, Metrolinx

Related Topics

Driving and road safety

Information about road conditions and safety, driver's licences, vehicle registration, commercial vehicles, transit and transportation infrastructure. Learn more

Jobs and employment

Find resources and supports for job seekers and employers. Learn more

Recreation and tourism

Learn about hunting and fishing, provincial parks, festivals and events, and visiting Ontario. Learn more

Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care published this content on November 06, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on November 06, 2026 at 14:41 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]