Canadian Design and Construction Report staff writer
Construction is underway on the East Harbour Transit Hub, a new interchange station in Toronto’s east end that will link multiple transit lines and is expected to become the city’s second busiest station after Union.
The construction contract was awarded in March to Rail Connect Partners, a joint venture between AtkinsRéalis and Bird Construction, with Hatch Ltd. providing lead engineering and design.
Once complete, the hub will connect the Ontario Line subway with the Lakeshore East and Stouffville GO Transit lines, serving an estimated 100,000 riders daily. The project is a major component of Ontario’s broader transit expansion plan and is being developed in coordination with all levels of government.
“In the face of economic uncertainty, we are doubling down on our plan to build Ontario and deliver the largest expansion of public transit in North America,” Premier Doug Ford said in a news release. “Projects like the East Harbour Transit Hub will support economic growth, keep thousands of workers on the job and help commuters get where they need to go.”
The station will provide commuters with more direct access to downtown Toronto while easing congestion and reducing travel times across the regional transit network. The hub is also expected to support significant future development, including new housing, retail, and public spaces as part of the province’s Transit-Oriented Communities initiative.
Michael Lindsay, interim president and CEO of Metrolinx, called the hub a “transformational addition” to Toronto’s transit network and a “crucial pressure valve” for the system.
The major construction contract for the project was awarded in March. The government says the expansion of the GO network is expected to create 8,300 jobs over the next 12 years, including positions for drill rig operators, steel and concrete workers, and crane operators.
The site will also become home to a new transit-oriented community, with thousands of new housing units, jobs, and amenities including day care, parkland and retail.
Mayor Olivia Chow said the hub will help the city keep pace with rapid population growth and housing development.
“Today’s announcement is an important step to invest in better transit networks, which will support our city’s growth,” she said. “We are partnering with the province to create world-class public transit.”
