Specifically, the recommendations include: “Direct staff to work in consultation with York Region, City of Toronto and the TTC to advance the project development of the Yonge North Subway Extension to 15% preliminary design and engineering.”

“This is a great step in the right direction,” said Mayor Barrow. “Yonge Street is one of the busiest and most congested roads in the GTA,  and the approval to progress to preliminary design and engineering on the subway extension is the investment that we need.”

The Environmental Assessment for the extension was unconditionally approved in 2009 and the Conceptual Design Study was approved by the Toronto Transit Commission and The Regional Municipality of York in 2012.

The Richmond Hill Centre transit anchor will deliver more riders and ridership movement than any other anchor in the GTA apart from Union Station. With direct connection to rapid transit services that span York Region, the Yonge North Subway Extension will seamlessly connect Richmond Hill with Toronto. It will include up to six new subway stations, extending more than six kilometres from Finch Station to Richmond Hill Centre.

“We are very pleased with the Study recommendations,” said Mayor Barrow. “These recommendations will finally move the project forward. With them, Richmond Hill will have an opportunity to work with key partners like Metrolinx, City of Toronto and TTC to advance the pre-construction activities and turn the subway vision into reality.”

The York Region Rapid Transit Corporation (YRRTC), along with The Regional Municipality of York, will provide a detailed update to local municipalities at a municipal liaison meeting July 7.

The Yonge Relief Network Study is posted is posted on the Metrolinx website.