Behind all the noise, dust, closed businesses, and long-term disruptions to intersections and transit service, there is some real progress occurring behind the scenes for the 15.6-kilometre Ontario Line subway running between Exhibition Place and the (former) Ontario Science Centre.

Preparatory construction works for the 15-station line began in late 2021, and while the project isn't set to open until a far-off date in 2031, excitement is steadily building for this key route intended to relieve pressure on key points in the overcrowded subway network.

Many station sites along the route recently entered into a phase of construction known as piling, or shoring, a method for stabilizing soil that dates back to ancient times.

During this process, crews form underground retaining walls that will allow for safe excavation and below-grade construction for elements like foundations and the stations' other subterranean components.

Metrolinx recently shared a brief explainer on the current piling activities.

You can't build for the future without a strong foundation. Watch to learn more about what piling is and why it's such an important first step in delivering the Ontario Line subway. pic.twitter.com/Ks4XikDMP7

— Ontario Line (@OntarioLine) June 25, 2024

Once this piling process is complete, the station sites will be excavated, paving the way for massive tunnel boring machines to chew their way through and form the line's underground stops.

One such stop currently moving along through the piling process is the King-Bathurst Station under construction at the intersection of the same name. Metrolinx has also offered a behind-the-scenes look at ongoing station construction at this specific site, which is expected to be one of the busiest on the line.

Check out this cool behind-the-scenes footage of crews preparing to build a new Ontario Line station at King and Bathurst. Once built, the King and Bathurst station will put subway service minutes away from 27,000 people in the community. Learn more here: https://t.co/Q4mhriWsWU pic.twitter.com/oxnNNxii6o

— Ontario Line (@OntarioLine) June 28, 2024

While the station site spans two of the intersection's four corners, Metrolinx has promised that the busy 504 King and the 511 Bathurst streetcar routes will remain undisturbed throughout the long-term project.

Also spared from construction is the historic Wheat Sheaf Tavern built in 1849, thanks to the forthcoming station platform's diagonal configuration.