Spadina Subway Extension

Toronto, Ontario

The Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension Project (TYSSE) is the first Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) rapid transit line to cross the City of Toronto boundary into York Region. The project extends from the existing Downsview Subway station near Sheppard Avenue, to the new Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) at Highway 7. The TYSSE provides traffic congestion relief with connections to the VMC transit hub, York University and the existing system. The TYSSE is also anticipated to foster growth and improvements to neighbourhoods along the alignment.

Kiewit, in joint venture with McNally International Inc. and Aecon Constructors, constructed the $90 million South Tunnels as part of the Sheppard West Station and Tunnels contract for Aecon Buildings (A division of Aecon Construction Group Inc.).

The project consisted of twinned 1,540 meter and 1,185 meter long PCTL (precast concrete tunnel lining) tunnel drives, cast in place concrete invert and tunnel walkways, three emergency exit buildings (EEBs), four cross passages and associated works. Two custom manufactured EPB tunnel boring machines (TBMs) were supplied by the TTC and manufactured by Caterpillar Tunneling Canada with bore diameters of 6 meters. Each tunnel was lined with precast concrete rings, also supplied by the TTC. The Southern Tunnels required approximately 3,650 rings; each ring consisting of six segments and weighing approximately 13 tons.