Metrolinx is asking Ontarians for help to name its two new tunnel boring machines (TBMs) that will dig their way through downtown Toronto for the Ontario Line subway, and the public has already come up with some clever names.
Metrolinx announced on Monday that the public can participate in a contest to help name the two machines until June 23.
This falls in line with past transit projects, where the public helped name the Scarborough Subway Extension TBM known as Diggy Scardust, and the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension TBMs known as Rexy and Renny.
The yet to be named Ontario Line TBM’s will dig their way between Exhibition Station in the west and Don River in the east.
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The transit agency is encouraging the public to get creative with their name suggestions.
“Think about local landmarks and history, famous individuals and places, or something unique about the communities these TBMs will travel through,” the agency said in a statement.
As a result, Ontarians have already taken to social media to share their suggestions.
“Eglinton and Finch,” an X user said.
“Tim and Horton,” an Instagram user said.
“Dig Horton,” another user added.
However, some social users have taken the time to suggest names that poke fun at long-running and delayed projects such as the Eglinton Crosstown and Finch West LRT which are both years behind schedule.
“Late and never?,” a Reddit user suggested.
“Over budget [and] behind schedule,” another user said.
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A panel of judges will vote on six semi-finalists who will be announced on the contest’s website on July 14. Members of the public will also have a chance to vote on their favourite entries until July 28 according to Metrolinx.
The semi-finalist with the largest number of votes upon time of closing will win the chance of naming the machines.
A total of four TBMs will be used to tunnel the Ontario Line. The two currently being named have already arrived in Canada, and will prepare to dig through the downtown core beginning this fall.
The 15.6-kilometre Ontario Line will run from Exhibition Place in the west to Don Mills Rd. in the east. The line was previously set to end at the Ontario Science Centre before the provincial government permanently closed the site.
The subway line is now set to be completed by 2031.
