There can be no doubt that the construction of Canada’s first subway was a spectacular engineering triumph. Approved in January 1946, but delayed by post-war shortages of supplies, the ground-breaking ceremony took place on September 8, 1949. In the section south of College Street, the subway was built directly under Yonge Street. Where the “cut and cover” method was used (as far north as Davenport Road), citizens were treated to daily displays of massive equipment, such as pile drivers, power shovels, and cranes, while hundreds of men toiled on the project. The TTC encouraged the public’s interest in the subway construction, and issued several informative brochures for “sidewalk supervisors.”
The ground breaking ceremony for the Yonge Subway was an exciting event attended by thousands, and broadcast live over the radio. The temporary stage was set up at Yonge and Wellington streets, just above where there would soon be an 18-foot excavation. September 8, 1949 Fonds 1128, Series 381, File 2, Id 5914-7.
To minimize traffic disruption along Yonge Street, the initial work was done along short sections of the street. This work involved preliminary excavation and support for utility conduits, accompanied by the placement of temporary decking to support traffic. This was followed by the completion of the excavation underneath the decking, and the construction of the reinforced concrete subway structure. Finally the temporary decking was removed, the subway structure was backfilled, and Yonge Street was resurfaced.
Crowds gather along Yonge Street in front of Eaton’s department store to watch workers begin the excavation work for the subway September 28, 1949 Fonds 1567, Series 577, Item 3.
Man breaks ground with jack hammer Artist: John DeRinzy 1950 Fonds 16, Series 259, Item 12.
This view shows horizontal steel support beams placed over excavation work on Front Street. One-foot square timbers were laid across the steel beams, creating the cover over the cut. Traffic could then travel along Front and Yonge streets while work continued below. January 25, 1950 Fonds 1567, Series 577, Item 24.
First lift excavation – men digging under wooden frames supporting construction cables and utilities Artist: John DeRinzy 1950 Fonds 16, Series 259, Item 1.
Planking being installed on Yonge Street, south of King Street March 16, 1950 Fonds 1567, Series 577, Item 27.
Yonge Street timber decking Artist: John DeRinzy 1949 Fonds 16, Series 259, Item 6.
Responding to the tremendous public interest in the new subway, the TTC produced four “manuals” filled with facts, figures, and information required to answer the many questions of the sidewalk superintendents.
Sidewalk Superintendents’ manuals, grades 1, 2, and 4 [between 1950 and 1953] Fonds 16, Series 836, Subseries 1, File 29.
Meanwhile, underneath the surface, work was continuing away from the interested gazes of the sidewalk superintendents. As these photographs amply illustrate, it was difficult and dirty work, but by the latter part of 1953, the construction work was largely completed.
Underground work going on in the Queen-Yonge station area. The floor reinforcing and centre beam have been completed. March 21, 1950 Fonds 1567, Series 577, Item 36.
Underground work – burst flume, Front Street. Heavy rain on July 24, 1950 caused a temporary storm sewer to give way, causing flooding south of Adelaide Street. July 25, 1950 Fonds 1567, Series 577, Item 66.
Underground work – pouring first concrete, Yonge Street at Queen Street March 23, 1950 Fonds 1567, Series 577, Item 38.
Underground work – slab over tunnel, Trinity Square September 1, 1950 Fonds 1567, Series 577, Item 70.
Underground work – Front Street W., east of York Street June 2, 1950 Fonds 1567, Series 577, Item 58.
North of College Street, the route continued along a right-of-way adjacent to Yonge Street, partly underground and partly in an open cut as far as Eglinton Avenue. Ten intermediate stations were more or less evenly spaced along the 4.6 mile length of the subway between the Union and Eglinton terminals.
An open-cut section of the Yonge Subway, on the east side of Yonge Street, looking south from Pleasant Boulevard October 20, 1953 Fonds 1128, Series 381, File 271, Id 11271-25.
Completed subway tunnel October 20, 1953 Fonds 1128, Series 381, File 271, Id 11271-69.
Previous: Canada’s First Subway