Yonge North Subway: Tunnel Boring Machine Parts Arrive in Markham. What It Means for Thornhill Home Values

For decades, Thornhill families have heard that the subway is coming. Now the launch shaft is dug, machine parts are on site, and demolition notices are going up along Yonge. It finally feels real.

Here is where the project stands as of October 2026, which stations serve Markham's side of Thornhill, and what the evidence says about home values near new subway stations.

Michael John Lau is one of Markham's top real estate agents, with 430+ homes sold, a 5.0 rating across 81 Google reviews, and eXp ICON Agent awards in 2024 and 2025. He has helped many Thornhill families buy and sell, and he follows the subway project closely because buyers ask about it at almost every Thornhill showing.

Where is the Yonge North Subway Extension now?

The tunnel launch shaft, south of the future Bridge Station near Langstaff Road and south of Highway 407 in Markham, was completed in mid-2026. Governments marked the milestone on July 23, 2026. Crews removed about 70,000 cubic metres of soil and placed 11,000 cubic metres of concrete.

According to a summary of the September 2026 Metrolinx Board meeting shared by the Royal Orchard Ratepayers' Association, parts for the tunnel boring machines have begun arriving at the launch site, and tunnelling is planned to begin early in 2027. The City of Markham also lists early 2027 for the start of tunnelling. Two machines will dig twin tunnels about 6.3 km south toward Finch Station.

The $1.4 billion tunnelling contract went to North End Connectors, a team of Aecon, FCC Canada and Ghella. A separate contract for stations, rail and systems was still in procurement in 2026. Metrolinx has not published an opening year.

Which stations serve Markham and Thornhill?

The extension runs nearly 8 km north from Finch Station. North of Steeles, Yonge Street is the boundary between Markham to the east and Vaughan to the west, so Steeles, Clark and Royal Orchard sit right on Markham's Thornhill edge. York Region's planning identifies all three as major transit station areas within Markham's Yonge Corridor study area.

Bridge Station sits between Highway 7 and Highway 407 and will link to Langstaff GO. It is one of two provincial transit-oriented communities on the line, alongside High Tech in Richmond Hill.

Will the subway raise Thornhill home values?

Probably modestly, and unevenly. Here is what credible research says:

• A widely cited international review of rail transit studies found an average residential gain of about 6% within a quarter mile of a station, with subway effects lower and less consistent than commuter rail.
• Toronto studies of earlier subway lines found real but limited effects, and stronger gains where transit came with good, walkable development around stations.
• Industry data from the Eglinton Crosstown line showed some station areas outperforming the city, but results varied widely from station to station.

For Thornhill homeowners, the clearest benefits are likely shorter commutes and more buyer interest in homes within walking distance of Clark, Royal Orchard and Steeles. Homes right beside construction may face years of noise and traffic, which some buyers will discount until the work is done.

See current pricing on the Thornhill Markham home values page.

What development is planned near the stations?

• Yonge Corridor Secondary Plan: Markham is planning the Yonge corridor from Steeles north. A draft plan is targeted for Council in early 2027.
• 7015 to 7027 Yonge Street: a three-tower proposal of 46, 60 and 65 storeys near Steeles Station, starting with a 504-unit rental tower. It is not yet approved.
• 36 to 48 Steeles Avenue East: two towers of 40 and 44 storeys with about 1,060 units were approved through the Ontario Land Tribunal in 2024.
• Bridge Station: a provincial transit-oriented community planned for high-density housing and jobs.

More context: what is being proposed at Yonge and Steeles.

What construction should Thornhill residents expect?

• Clark and Royal Orchard: building demolitions along Yonge, Clark Avenue, Morgan Avenue and Kirk Drive, and temporary shifts of Yonge Street around station sites.
• Yonge and John: piling, noise walls and road widening began in 2026.
• Langstaff GO: the south parking lot has been closed for an extended period, with bus stops moved.
• Yonge and Steeles: the City of Toronto's schedule shows a long-term closure of Yonge from Steeles to Madawaska, with traffic on a diversion road, from 2028 to 2030.

Metrolinx offers pre-construction surveys to eligible nearby owners and posts all notices on its project site.

Buying or selling near the subway: what to consider

• Buyers: check the walk to the nearest station entrance, the construction schedule nearby, and any development applications on your street.
• Sellers: if you are near a station, market the future commute, but be honest about construction timing. Buyers respect clarity.
• Everyone: remember that no opening year is official yet. Plan around your own timeline, not the subway's.

Thinking about a move? Start with a free home evaluation or browse the Markham neighbourhood guide.

General information only, not financial, legal or tax advice. Figures are from the sources listed and may change.

Frequently asked questions

Has the Yonge North Subway tunnel boring machine arrived?

Parts for the tunnel boring machines have begun arriving at the launch site near Langstaff Road in Markham, according to a summary of the September 2026 Metrolinx Board meeting. Tunnelling is planned to begin in early 2027.

When will the Yonge North Subway Extension open?

Metrolinx has not published an official opening year. It says service will begin after the Ontario Line is complete.

What are the Yonge North Subway stations?

Five new stations: Steeles, Clark, Royal Orchard, Bridge and High Tech, extending Line 1 nearly 8 km north from Finch Station.

Which subway stations are in Markham?

Steeles, Clark and Royal Orchard sit on Yonge Street, which is the Markham and Vaughan boundary north of Steeles. Bridge Station sits between Highway 7 and Highway 407 near Markham's Langstaff area.

Will the subway increase home values in Thornhill?

Research suggests a modest, uneven premium near stations rather than a guaranteed increase. Construction disruption may weigh on homes right beside the work until it is finished.

How much does the Yonge North Subway cost?

The widely reported estimate is about $5.6 billion. The federal government committed up to $2.24 billion and York Region $1.12 billion, with Ontario funding the rest.

Keep reading

Sources

• Metrolinx: Yonge North Subway Extension
• Metrolinx: Tunnel launch shaft and portal
• Government of Canada: Yonge North Subway Extension milestone (July 2026)
• City of Markham: Yonge North Subway Extension
• Royal Orchard Ratepayers' Association: Metrolinx Board meetings
• Infrastructure Ontario: Advance tunnel contract awarded
• Metrolinx: Construction notices
• City of Markham: Yonge Corridor study
• UrbanToronto: 46-storey rental at Yonge and Steeles
• Debrezion, Pels and Rietveld: Rail stations and property values (meta-analysis)
• University of Toronto: Transit and land value uplift

Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of October 23, 2026 and may change. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.