Leslieville station construction begins next month on Ontario Line
Support columns for the elevated station will be built from September to May, with concrete pours potentially running around the clock.
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Construction of massive support columns for Toronto's future Leslieville station will begin next month as part of the Ontario Line project, marking the first major above-ground work for the 15.6-kilometre, $34-billion transit extension.
Metrolinx announced that column construction is set to run from September 7, 2026 through May 28, 2027. The station will sit above Queen Street East between Broadview and Carlaw, supported by 16 large columns—eight south of Queen at Strange Street and eight north at De Grassi Street.
During this phase, crews will assemble steel reinforcement cages, erect concrete forms, and pour concrete. Work will occur primarily Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., though Metrolinx notes some concrete work may need to continue without interruption to preserve structural integrity.
Once the columns are complete, construction of the station superstructure above Queen Street is expected to start in late 2027 and last five to seven months. Finishing work—facade installation, mechanical and electrical systems, plumbing—will continue into 2028, with the station reaching completion in 2029.
Leslieville will be one of three above-ground stations on the Ontario Line and one of six elevated stations total along the route from Exhibition Place to Don Mills and Eglinton. The station is designed to relieve overcrowding on the TTC's Line 1 and Line 2.
The provincial government has not committed to a specific opening date or year for the line, offering only a vague "2030s" timeline.
The facts
When does construction of Leslieville station's support columns begin?
Construction of the support columns for Leslieville station begins on September 7, 2026 and runs through May 28, 2027.
How many columns will support the Leslieville station?
Leslieville station will be supported by 16 large columns—eight south of Queen Street East at Strange Street and eight north at De Grassi Street.
When is the Ontario Line expected to open?
The provincial government has committed only to a vague timeline of the 2030s for the Ontario Line's opening, without specifying a particular year.
What is the total cost and length of the Ontario Line?
The Ontario Line is a 15.6-kilometre transit extension with a total cost of $34 billion, running from Exhibition Place to Don Mills and Eglinton.
