Some 1.6km of twin tunnels for the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension, part of the 8.6km north-western extension subway line, has been completed. The progress was celebrated earlier this week.
The EPBM broke through the headwall at the Keele Street extraction shaft last month, representing the first major breakthrough for the project. The EPBM in the parallel drive broke through in early June, completing the second tunnel for this section.
Both machines are now being dismantled and moved to the second launch site. They will bore the next section of tunnel between Sheppard West Station and Downsview Station.
The estimated USD 2.6bn project is scheduled for completion in late 2015. Toronto Transit Commission is executing the project. It is expected to reduce commute times and ease traffic congestion for people living in the Greater Toronto area.