GLOBAL VANTAGE: Recent Infrastructure Projects in Toronto: Shaping the Future of the City

Toronto, Canada’s largest city, is undergoing significant transformation with several high-profile infrastructure projects underway. These projects are designed to enhance the city’s transportation networks, boost housing development, and address the challenges posed by rapid urbanization. From major subway extensions to the construction of new smart highways, Toronto’s infrastructure initiatives are not only shaping the city’s skyline but are also having far-reaching impacts on the construction industry in Ontario.

1. The Ontario Line Subway

One of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in Toronto right now is the Ontario Line Subway. This $27 billion subway project aims to significantly improve the city’s public transportation system by linking the Ontario Science Centre to Exhibition Place, with a total of 15 stations across the city. Expected to be completed by 2031, the Ontario Line will ease congestion on Toronto’s existing subway lines, which have been increasingly overcrowded due to population growth. Originally, in 2019, the cost was estimated at $10.9 billion with completion by 2027.[1]

Development of the Ontario Line includes construction of new stations, bridges and corridors. It also includes various upgrades to existing stations and infrastructure across Toronto. A description of each sub-project can be found on the Metrolinx’s website.[2]

The Ontario Line will serve as a crucial extension to the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) system, connecting many underserved neighbourhoods to the downtown core and improving accessibility for thousands of residents. The construction involves cutting-edge technology, including tunnel boring machines  and innovative engineering to minimize disruptions to the city’s busy streets.

The impact on the construction industry will be significant, as this project requires large-scale involvement from construction firms, engineers, and subcontractors across the province. Not only will the Ontario Line create thousands of jobs directly related to the construction, but it will also require investments in workforce training, material sourcing, and innovation in urban construction techniques.

2. The Scarborough Subway Extension

The Scarborough Subway Extension is another significant infrastructure project that aims to enhance the city’s transit network. This extension is part of the broader effort to extend the TTC’s Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth Subway), connecting the Scarborough Town Centre to Kennedy Station. The project is expected to cost around 5.5 billion and is slated for completion by 2030.[3]

Once completed, the extension will provide residents in Toronto’s eastern suburbs with faster, more reliable transit options. Currently, Scarborough residents rely heavily on buses, which often face delays due to traffic congestion. The subway extension will dramatically reduce travel times to downtown Toronto, helping to alleviate the growing pressure on the city’s public transportation system.

3. The Eglinton Crosstown LRT

While the Eglinton Crosstown LRT isn’t a new project (it has been under construction for several years), its completion remains one of the most anticipated developments in the city. Construction of the LRT began in 2011, when the Province of Ontario estimated it would cost about $9.1 billion to build and maintain the Crosstown.[4]. It is uncertain as to when the project will be complete, however Toronto’s Mayor, Oliva Chow, has advised that the TTC will be ready to operate when the project is complete. As of December 2024, the potential date of completion was mid-2025[5].

Spanning 19 kilometres, the LRT will run along Eglinton Avenue from Mount Dennis in the west to Kennedy Station in the east, with 25 stations and 10 interchange points along the route.

The Eglinton Crosstown LRT will provide an important link between neighbourhoods that have historically been underserved by public transit, significantly reducing travel times for commuters. It is projected that when fully operational, the LRT will carry more than 5,000 passengers per hour during peak periods.

The project’s impact on the construction industry has already been significant, with thousands of workers involved in the design, development, and execution of the LRT. The project has also led to the creation of new construction standards, including the adoption of more sustainable and efficient building practices, such as the use of electric vehicles for construction transport and the implementation of noise reduction technologies.

4. SmartTrack

SmartTrack is a new regional rail system being developed by the City of Toronto in partnership with Metrolinx. The SmartTrack project budget is $1.689B inclusive of $878M from the City of Toronto, $585M from the Government of Canada and $226M from the Province of Ontario.[6]

SmartTrack stations are projected to bring 110,000 new daily riders to the GO rail network by 2031.

SmartTrack will enhance connectivity between Toronto’s neighbourhoods and its suburbs, offering riders more frequent and direct access to the downtown core. In addition to enhancing public transit, the project is expected to stimulate development in areas surrounding SmartTrack stations, leading to increased housing and commercial opportunities in the city.

Conclusion

Toronto’s infrastructure projects are changing the face of the city and offering numerous opportunities for the construction industry in Ontario. With projects like the Ontario Line, the Scarborough Subway Extension, and the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, the demand for skilled workers, innovative technologies, and sustainable building practices will only increase. These projects are not just transforming the city; they are laying the groundwork for a more connected, resilient, and sustainable future for the Greater Toronto Area.

Should you have any questions on this article, or require support in respect of the opportunities listed, please contact our experts Antony Smith, Andrés Durán or Nadir Hasan.

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[1] Ontario News Release, Premier Ford Unveils Transportation Vision | Ontario Newsroom, 10 April 2019

[2] Metrolinx, an agency of the Government of Ontario under the Metrolinx Act, 2006, was created to improve the coordination and integration of all modes of transportation in the Greater Toronto Area.

[3] Ibid.

[4] CBC News, TTC staffers ready to run Eglinton Crosstown if it opens in fall: mayor | CBC News, 14 March 2025.

[5] CBC News, Eglinton Crosstown will open no earlier than mid-2025, TTC chair says | CBC News, 4 December 2024.

[6] City of Toronto, SmartTrack Stations Program – Update, 10 December 2024.