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Construction Begins on a Tunnel to the Island Airport
This morning, Mayor Rob Ford, flanked by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty, announced the groundbreaking of a long-awaited project: a pedestrian tunnel that will link the foot of Bathurst Street with Billy Bishop Airport.
The Post is reporting that the $82.5 million project will be funded in large part by a $20 Airport Improvement Fee, already paid by travelers each time they depart from Billy Bishop. Harper is quoted as saying, “It will not cost the taxpayers a dime.”
In July, city council approved final arrangements for building the tunnel in partnership with the Toronto Port Authority. The federal government recently gave its own approval. In addition to helping pedestrians, it’s expected that the project will assist the City with bringing better water and sewer service to the island.