The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) engaged HOK to design a regional transit center and passenger processing facility at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The GTAA estimates the first phase of the new facility could be in place as early as the mid-2020s.

In its most recent draft Master Plan, the GTAA forecasts that Toronto Pearson will grow to handle as many as 85 million passengers annually by 2037 and the GTAA is beginning the planning of the new facility to support this growth. The planning will incorporate a regional transit center to support the region’s need for better transit connectivity. Toronto Pearson is uniquely able to connect the region, due to its location between three municipalities, four major highways, and a number of planned and existing transit lines, and the Airport Employment Zone, the second largest employment zone in Canada. The GTAA continues to work with all levels of government to advance plans on priority lines connecting into the proposed regional transit center.

HOK’s work on the passenger processing facility and regional transit center design will include all facets of phased development of future airport facilities to meet projected passenger growth. Toronto Pearson saw an estimated 47 million passengers in 2017. The development will provide appropriate passenger facilities, reduce road congestion in the region, and provide greater access to jobs and customers for businesses in the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

“The Toronto Pearson regional transit center represents the marriage of aviation and ground transit,” noted Robert Chicas, AIA, director of Aviation + Transportation at HOK. “We look forward to collaborating closely with the GTAA to develop this new vision for a seamless link between the new multi-modal transit hub, the airport, and the Greater Golden Horseshoe region. This project will be transformational for Toronto Pearson by redefining the ‘front door’ of the airport, optimizing terminal real estate, positioning the airport for the future, and improving the passenger experience for millions of travelers.”

HOK will lead a design team that includes WSP Engineers and Weston Williamson + Partners, and design work will begin immediately. The process will include engagement with many different stakeholder groups, including airport partners, government, and local community members.