Toronto (July 20, 2015) – PortsToronto is pleased to announce that the new Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport pedestrian tunnel will open to the public on July 30, 2015, providing travellers with a fast, reliable and convenient access to the airport.

 

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place the morning of July 30, to celebrate the opening of the tunnel with the public able to access the tunnel shortly thereafter. Details are as follows:

 

What:              Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

When:             July 30, 2015 at 11:00 a.m.

Where:            Island-side Atrium at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

Who:               Speakers to be confirmed; details to follow

 

Attendees will take the ferry across to the island-side atrium for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. A tour of the tunnel will follow with exclusive access to the facilities being provided to the media prior to the tunnel opening to the public.

 

To confirm attendance and receive a schedule of events, please contact Erin Mikaluk at (416) 863-2065 or (647) 298-0544 or email at emikaluk@portstoronto.com.

 

In March 2012, PortsToronto announced and began excavation on a new 853-foot pedestrian tunnel that would be built under Lake Ontario’s Western Channel, connecting mainland Toronto to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. The $82.5 million tunnel was built using an innovative public-private partnership agreement between PortsToronto, Forum Equity Partners and lead contractor PCL, at no cost to taxpayers. To access the tunnel, travellers will descend 100 feet and travel along the main passageway via four moving sidewalks. At the south end of the tunnel, travellers will ascend to the island atrium and airport’s check-in area using one of the longest escalator systems in Canada. The tunnel will be 100 per cent powered by green energy supplied by Bullfrog Power Inc.

 

For downloadable, high-res images and more information on the Pedestrian Tunnel, visit www.portstoronto.com.

 

For more than 100 years PortsToronto, (formerly the Toronto Port Authority), has worked with its partners at the federal, provincial and municipal levels to enhance the economic growth of the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. PortsToronto owns and operates Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which welcomes more than two million passengers each year; the Outer Harbour Marina, one of Canada's largest freshwater marinas; and, Terminals 51 and 52, which provide transportation, distribution, storage and container services to businesses at the Port of Toronto. PortsToronto is committed to fostering strong, healthy and sustainable communities and has invested more than $6.7 million since 2009 in charitable initiatives and environmental programs that benefit communities along Toronto's waterfront and beyond. PortsToronto operates in accordance with the Canada Marine Act and is guided by a nine-member board with representation from all three levels of government.

 

Erin Mikaluk

Senior Manager, Communications & Media Relations

PortsToronto

(416) 863-2065 or (647) 298-0544