

Chris Fox, CP24.com





An underwater tunnel that will provide pedestrians with an easy way to access Billy Bishop Airport will open at the end of this month, more than three years after construction first began on the project.

According to Ports Toronto, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on July 30 at 11 a.m. to celebrate the opening of the $82.5 million tunnel.

Officials estimate that the journey from the mainland through the tunnel to the airport’s check-in area on the island side will take six minutes using the new passageway.

Previously, passengers relied on a ferry that departed each side of the 121 metre channel every 15 minutes. That ferry will continue to operate once the tunnel opens to the public.

“Often people will arrive and they will see the ferry going over to the island and they just miss it. Now they can just go underground and take the tunnel across,” Ports Toronto Spokesperson Erin Mikaluk told CP24 on Monday afternoon. “It is all about allowing people the opportunity to just flow through the airport and get to the check-in area in a fast and in a convenient way.”

Construction on the pedestrian tunnel, which was paid for using airport improvement fees tacked on to airline tickets, began in March, 2012 and was initially scheduled to be completed by March 2015.

It is not known precisely what caused the delay, but Mikaluk said it is “understandable” given the “complexity and scope of the project.”

“There were a couple more things that took a little bit longer than anticipated but certainly we are relatively on schedule and we are really excited to get the tunnel open now,” she said.

Once open, the tunnel will be able to transport 1,100 people per hour via four automated pedways.

Remember for instant breaking news follow @cp24 on Twitter.