The SmartTrack Stations Program will improve transportation choice within Toronto by leveraging existing transit infrastructure to serve more people. Combined with Metrolinx’s GO Expansion Program, SmartTrack will transform heavy rail infrastructure in Toronto from a regional commuter service into an urban rapid transit network. The SmartTrack Program, funded by the City of Toronto, will see five stations constructed at Finch-Kennedy, East Harbour, King-Liberty, Bloor-Lansdowne and St. Clair-Old Weston. Through the GO Expansion Program, the stations will be supported with all-day, two-way service, increased frequency and quieter and faster trains. SmartTrack will expand transit access for Toronto residents travelling within and beyond the city.
In April 2018, City Council approved a contribution of up to $1.463 billion to Metrolinx for the SmartTrack Stations Program, which included $585 million in federal funding under the City’s allocation of the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Federal Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
City Council approved updated terms for the SmartTrack Program in February 2021 that were incorporated into a Revised Agreement in Principle (AIP). The Revised AIP was signed by the City and Province in August 2021.
In June 2023, Toronto City Council voted to receive $226 million in provincial funding for the delivery of the SmartTrack Stations Program. The revised SmartTrack Station Programs budget is $1.689 billion, including $878 million from the City, $585 million from the Government of Canada and $226 million from the Province of Ontario. The Program represents all three orders of government’s collaborative approach to transit expansion and is one of several major transit expansion projects underway and planned for Toronto.
The five new stations are projected to bring approximately 110,000 new daily riders to the rail network by 2031 and reduce congestion on the roads and emissions throughout the region.
Metrolinx issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for St. Clair-Old Weston, Finch-Kennedy, King-Liberty stations and a Statement of Qualifications (SQ) for Bloor-Lansdowne station in August 2021, marking the first step in the procurement process.
Following a technical evaluation process, contracts for St. Clair-Old Weston, Finch-Kennedy, and King-Liberty stations were awarded in April 2022 and for East Harbour Station in November 2022. An RFP for Bloor-Lansdowne Station was issued by Metrolinx in February 2022 and closed in November 2022, identifying a successful proponent in December 2022. Metrolinx is continuing to advance the designs for the stations through 2024.
Construction has started on the SmartTrack stations and is estimated to be in operation in 2029.
Located on Finch Avenue East between Milliken Boulevard and Midland Avenue, the Finch-Kennedy Station will provide Stouffville corridor passengers with seamless access to frequent TTC bus connections on Finch. Canopies and heated shelters will keep passengers warm and dry while bike parking and accessible drop-off will make it easy to get to the station. Within walking distance, station users can access diverse shopping and dining opportunities.
This station will be located in the Riverdale neighbourhood, immediately east of the Don Valley Parkway and south of Eastern Avenue, on the Lakeshore East rail corridor. Anticipated to be a major transit and business hub, the East Harbour Transit Hub will provide seamless connectivity between GO and TTC, including the new Ontario Line.
Located on the Kitchener GO rail corridor between Union and Bloor GO stations, the King-Liberty Station will feature an enclosed pedestrian bridge connecting King Street and the High Line to the new platforms and a second pedestrian bridge connecting the new platforms to both Sudbury Street and Joe Shuster Way providing increased connectivity between neighbourhoods.
Situated on Bloor Street West between St. Helen’s Avenue and the Barrie rail corridor, the new Bloor-Lansdowne Station will feature bike parking, entrance at Bloor street (lower) level and at platform (upper) level, plaza and landscaping at the platform level, one tunnel connecting East and West platforms and a multi-use path from the Davenport Diamond Greenway north of Bloor Street to Dundas. This multi-use path will be routed adjacent to the Barrie GO Rail Corridor and will provide connection to the West Toronto Railpath.
This station is located on Union Street north of St. Clair Avenue West, between Bloor and Mount Dennis GO Stations on the Kitchener GO rail corridor. The St. Clair-Old Weston Station will feature two new station buildings providing connection points directly from Union Street, bike parking, two pedestrian tunnels connecting the east and west platforms, and connections to Gunns Road and St. Clair Avenue West will also be available.