Billy Bishop Airport pedestrian tunnel officially opens to the public

From a bank of six elevators in the mainland pavilion, travellers descend 100-feet to access the tunnel and travel along the passageway before ascending to the island atrium and airport’s check-in area using one of the longest escalator systems in Canada.

The ferry will continue to run approximately every 15 minutes, Ports Toronto said, for vehicles and for those who prefer it over the tunnel.

Federal Transportation Minister Lisa Raitt will be on hand for the grand opening.

The 858 foot tunnel is under Lake Ontario’s western channel, 550 feet of it under water connecting Toronto’s mainland with the airport. “They no longer have to rely on taking a ferry as the only means of reaching the island airport to catch a flight or to get to the city”.

“Thanks to this new pedestrian tunnel, travellers can now enjoy a fast, convenient and reliable way to access the Billy Bishop Airport”, Tory said.

“Once again, I am very happy to see the pedestrian tunnel opening, and plan on being at this morning’s ribbon cutting ceremony”, Ford wrote.

“The City of Toronto was looking at how to bring much-needed sewer and water mains to Toronto Island”, he said.

Discussing the proposal, Di Pasquale said he believes the Billy Bishop Airport “makes great sense” for shorter destinations but should not be expanded.

His administration approved the tunnel’s construction in 2011, which Tory could not have done “because of his (business) conflicts”, Ford said in a statement. Raitt said it would be up to the City of Toronto and PortsToronto to move to have the agreement amended to permit larger aircraft to use the airport. “Another matter that our current Mayor would not have been able to vote on, or even debate on the Council floor”, said Ford.