Metrolinx has launched a public naming contest for the pair of tunnel boring machines (TBMs) that will help construct the downtown segment of the Ontario Line in Toronto.
The two machines, each custom-built for the project, recently arrived in Canada after being assembled, tested, and disassembled in Schwanau, Germany. They will be responsible for carving out twin tunnels from the Ontario Line’s western terminus at Exhibition Station to the Don River.
Submissions for names are open until 23 June and can include references to local heritage, historical figures, landmarks, or unique aspects of the neighbourhoods along the route. Participants may also suggest related name pairs for the two machines, which will operate in tandem.
Once the naming phase closes, members of the public will be able to vote on a shortlist of entries. Those whose submissions are selected will receive credit and be invited to attend a photo opportunity at the tunnel launch site.
The launch shaft, located just east of Exhibition Station, is currently under construction. Work began in November 2024 and is progressing in preparation for the arrival of the TBMs later this year. The shaft is approximately 16 metres deep and will serve as the entry point for the TBMs as they begin their journey beneath the city.
The Ontario Line is a planned 15.6-kilometre rapid transit line intended to improve connectivity across Toronto. The downtown tunnel section is a key part of the line, aiming to relieve congestion and offer new travel options through some of the city’s busiest districts.
More information, including how to submit name suggestions and contest rules, is available on the Metrolinx website: metrolinx.com/NameOurTBMs.
