Line 6 Finch West
Line 6 Finch West, also known as the Finch West LRT, is a light rail line under construction in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to be operated by the Toronto Transit Commission. It was part of the Transit City proposal announced on March 16, 2007. The, 18-stop line is to extend from Finch West station on Line 1 Yonge–University to the North Campus of Humber College in Etobicoke. The line is forecast to carry about 14.6million rides a year or 40,000 a day by 2031. It is scheduled for completion in 2023, with an estimated cost of.
History
In March 2007, Toronto mayor David Miller announced the Etobicoke–Finch West LRT as part of the Transit City plan for the construction of several light-rail lines within the city. The western terminus of the line would be built in the Highway 27/Humber College area in Etobicoke. The line would run along Finch Avenue West eastward, terminating at Finch station in North York.On April 1, 2009, the Ontario government announced that it would provide funding for construction of this line from Humber College to Don Mills station via Finch West and Finch stations, opening in 2013.
In March 2010, the Ontario government budgeted less for building transit. As a result, it eliminated the proposed section of the line east of Finch West station.
In December 2010, Mayor Rob Ford cancelled the line after taking office. However, in February 2012, city council voted to restore the project as part of a new transit plan, restoring some of the elements of the Transit City proposal over Mayor Ford's objections.
In April 2012, Metrolinx proposed to start construction on the Finch West LRT in 2015, with the line opening in 2018. By November 2012, when the city and province signed an LRT master agreement, construction for the line was to begin in 2015 for completion in 2020.
In April 2015, the province announced that construction of the line would start in 2016 for completion in 2021. In September 2015, the Government of Ontario announced that its agency, Infrastructure Ontario, would search for a contractor to design, build, finance and maintain the Finch West LRT. The successful contractor would be chosen by 2017. The Request for Proposal was released to select companies in February 2016 and closed on December 20, 2017.
In 2017, Enbridge Gas Distribution began relocating natural gas mains along the LRT route as part of preparatory work for construction. Enbridge relocated natural gas pipelines lower within the roadway to allow for an appropriate depth beneath the proposed track-bed.
In May 2017, Metrolinx confirmed that it had entered into an agreement with Alstom to build 17 light rail vehicles for Line 6 Finch West. In September 2017, Metrolinx announced the line would not open until 2022 at the earliest, blaming the delay on uncertainty with the Bombardier vehicle supply.
In April 2018, Mosaic Transit Group, a consortium of ACS Infrastructure Canada Inc., Aecon, and CRH Canada Group Inc., was selected to build the transit line. After consultation with Mosaic on a construction schedule, Metrolinx delayed projected completion of the line to 2023, ten years after the originally announced date. That May, Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx announced that Mosaic had signed a contract to design, build, and finance the construction of the line and stations, and to maintain them for 30 years.
Line 6 began construction in late 2019.
Route layout
The eastern terminus of the line is to be built at Finch West station on Line 1 Yonge–University in North York. After a short tunnel at Finch West station, the line will run on the surface along Finch Avenue West until it reaches Highway 27 and from there, the line will run underground to its western terminus at Humber College's North Campus west of Highway 27. The line will be long.Stops
The TTC has indicated that stops will be spaced on average apart. Tracks run in the middle with stops located on sides separated from traffic along Finch. The following is the list of stops proposed as of 2018.| Stop | Notes |
| Humber College | To be located underground |
| Westmore | |
| Martin Grove | |
| Albion | |
| Stevenson | |
| Mount Olive | Original proposed name: Kipling |
| Rowntree Mills | Original proposed name: Islington |
| Pearldale | |
| Duncanwoods | |
| Milvan Rumike | |
| Emery | Original proposed name: Weston |
| Signet Arrow | |
| Norfinch Oakdale | Site of proposed maintenance facility |
| Jane and Finch | Original proposed name: Jane |
| Driftwood | |
| Tobermory | |
| Sentinel | |
| Direct connection to Line 1 Yonge–University; to be located underground |
In January 2018, to avoid naming conflicts with existing TTC and GO stations in Toronto, a consultation process was initiated to select unique names for the stops at Jane, Kipling, Islington and Weston; the initial suggestions were Jane and Finch, Mount Olive, Thistletown, and Emery Village, respectively. Based on feedback, Rowntree Mills was also considered, and ultimately selected, for the stop at Islington, while Emery was chosen as the name for the stop at Weston.
Potential extensions
Finch West station to Finch station
In March 2010, the Ontario government eliminated the proposed section of line between Finch West station and Finch station because of budget constraints. This section of the line was part of the original Transit City proposal.In 2013, this plan was revived as an "Unfunded Future Rapid Transit Project" in the City of Toronto's "Feeling Congested?" report, meaning this extension may be constructed sometime in the future. The extension was later shown in the TTC's 2018 Corporate Plan with no timeline for completion.
Humber College to Pearson Airport
In 2009, the TTC was studying the feasibility of potential routings for a future westward extension of the Etobicoke–Finch West LRT to the vicinity of Woodbine Live development, Woodbine Centre, and Pearson International Airport. This extension was later reclassified as a future transit project as described in the 2013 "Feeling Congested?" report by the City of Toronto.Finch station to Don Mills station
In May 2009, Metrolinx proposed that the line be extended from Finch station, along Finch Avenue East and Don Mills Road into Don Mills station to connect with the Sheppard East LRT and create a seamless crosstown LRT line in northern Toronto to parallel the Eglinton Crosstown LRT in central Toronto. The TTC said that a planning study would have commenced in 2010.Operations
- The route of Line 6 Finch West is now served by the 36 Finch West bus, one of the three busiest bus routes in Toronto with about 42,600 passengers per weekday. If buses continue to serve the route, then by 2031, forecasted demand would require 32–39 articulated buses or 45–55 standard buses.
- Line 6 would replace 35 morning and 29 afternoon peak period buses from existing traffic lanes.
- The full capacity of a full standard bus is 48 passengers and of a single LRT car is 163 passengers. Line 6 will be able to support two-car trains.
- Line 6 would carry about 42,600 passengers per weekday. By 2031, projected ridership would be 2,800 passengers per hour in the peak direction.
- The LRT will provide service 20% faster than buses in mixed traffic today.
- Each light rail vehicle will use the Presto proof-of-payment system.
- Metrolinx requires 17 Alstom Citadis Spirit LRVs to operate the line.
- Annual operating and maintenance costs are estimated to be $51.5million in 2022, before deducting fare revenue and costs saved by eliminating parallel bus service.
Maintenance and storage facility
The facility will have shops to inspect, service, and repair light rail vehicles used on the line. Construction of the facility started in 2019 and is expected to be completed in 2021. Upon completion, Mosaic Transit Group will start to test LRVs and the communication system. Testing may take up to 18 months.
The facility will be able to house 26 Alstom Citadis Spirit vehicles; however, only 18 will operate initially when the line opens.
The facility will include:
- Main shop
- Car wash facility
- Material storage building
- Administration office
- 122 parking spaces