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Ontario Line subway: Metrolinx and GO shift platform at Exhibition GO Station to support "early-works" construction, starting March 28



Ontario Line header.jpg

Metrolinx intends to build the* Ontario Line subway* between Exhibition Place / Ontario Place and the area near the Ontario Science Centre, through downtown Toronto.


Today, Sunday, March 27, Metrolinx formally marked the launch of construction on the Ontario Line subway project, starting with upgrading Exhibition GO Station.

According to a post on the Metrolinx News blog by Sara Wilbur, Metrolinx communications senior advisor, subway program, and Scott Money, Metrolinx News editorial team member, “Exhibition Station is significant because it will be one of the Ontario Line’s most popular transit hubs with connections to GO trains and TTC services.”

The post quotes Malcolm MacKay, Metrolinx sponsor for the project, who says, “At the peak of rush hour, about 6,300 people will transfer between the Ontario Line, GO Transit trains and the TTC at Exhibition Station.

O-Line - Exhibition Station - rendering 1.jpg

^ Click to enlarge. Artist’s rendering showing an aerial view of Ontario Line’s Exhibition Station. Image, Metrolinx

The post continues,

“MacKay says when it’s done, Exhibition Station will be completely enclosed, bringing GO and Ontario Line services under one roof. It will also have fully accessible paths between the different lines and platforms, making it quick and easy to transfer between trains.

“‘The exciting work starting now is all about upgrading the existing Exhibition Station to keep people moving during major construction,’ he adds. ‘Providing continued access to GO train services through new features like a temporary pedestrian bridge, new platforms, and new station entrances is critical for us.’

“The temporary pedestrian bridge over the… GO tracks will give people another way to access trains and to move between Liberty Village and Exhibition Place.”

Early works to upgrade the south and north platforms on the east side to prepare for future Ontario Line construction won’t impact how you board and exit trains.

However, starting Monday, March 28:

  • GO is temporarily shifting the south platform further east to serve GO trains and make space for Ontario Line construction further west.
  • It’s removing the north platform to make space for a new Ontario Line and GO platform on the north side of the station.
  • Construction to upgrade the platforms will start on the west side of the south platform later this spring, and the west side of the north platform this fall. You can still to access the platforms at your station during construction.
  • You may notice plywood on small sections of both platforms. It is there to keep you safe while crews install underground utilities in these areas overnight.

ExhibitionGOConstructionMap_March282022.PNG

^ Click to enlarge.


During the early-works phases of the project, crews are:

  • building a new entrance and exit building on Atlantic Avenue;
  • building a temporary entrance and exit building on the north side of the station, including a tunnel connection, an elevator and stairs to the train platforms;
  • extending the north and south platforms;
  • installing a temporary pedestrian bridge between the north and south sides of the station; and
  • upgrading the elevator at the south side of the station.

  • Some early works, including removing trees and demolishing the south platform started “as early as” March 11.
  • Metrolinx expects early works to continue for “approximately one year”, meaning this phase of construction continues as late as until March 31, 2023.
  • When the early-works phases of the project end, construction to build the new Ontario Line at Exhibition Station will start.