45 years ago in 1978

Spadina Subway Opening

A significant achievement in 1978 was the official opening of the 6.17-mile Spadina Subway by the Honourable William G. Davis, Premier, Province of Ontario, on January 27. The new line was opened for passenger service on January 28 and riders were allowed free entry to the new stations between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. The opening of the Spadina line extended the Yonge-University subway north from its southerly terminus at St George Station to Wilson Station in the City of North York and brought the total length of Metro’s subway system to approximately 32 miles.

From St George Station, the line runs in a northwest direction, north of Bloor Street, where it swings north under Spadina Road to Davenport Road. The cut-and-cover method of construction was used on this section of line. North from Davenport Road, the line runs in tunnel to Russell Hill Drive and the Nordheimer Ravine. It continues northwest in cut-and-cover through the Forest Hill and Cedarvale Ravines and then north under Everden Road to Eglinton Avenue. From Eglinton Avenue, the line continues north on the median strip of the William Allen Arterial Road-Expressway to the terminal at Wilson Avenue. Passengers travelling between downtown Toronto and the northwest section of Metro have the choice of a direct, through, subway ride via University Avenue or transferring to the crosstown Bloor-Danforth line at Spadina or St George Stations.

There are eight new stations on the Spadina Subway, each unique in design. Station aesthetics are further complimented by imaginative works of art especially created by nine contemporary Canadian artists.

Surface route changes associated with the opening of the Spadina Subway
Co-incident with the opening of the new subway line, the Commission introduced an extensive program of associated surface route changes. The new routes and extensions were planned to provide as many direct-to-subway feeder routes as practicable so that passengers would get the maximum benefit from faster subway service. In all, seven new routes were started, 19 were rerouted or extended to subway stations, and service improvements and schedule changes were introduced on many more routes.

In addition to the new and extended routes associated with the subway opening, several other routes were extended or rerouted to provide improved service during the year.