Toronto Pearson Airport broke ground Monday on the first phase of Pearson LIFT, a long-term infrastructure modernization program that will begin with a $3-billion investment in airside and baggage systems at Canada’s largest airport.

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority said the Pearson LIFT (Long-term Investment in Facilities and Terminals) program is one of the largest airport infrastructure initiatives in Canadian history and will support expansion and modernization efforts over the next decade. The first phase includes upgrades to airfield technology, baggage-handling systems, EV-charging infrastructure and taxiways.

Toronto Pearson held a ceremonial groundbreaking attended by federal Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali, Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria and Patrick Brown, along with airport partners and construction teams.

The airport said the work will include approximately 30 kilometres of baggage-infrastructure upgrades, new baggage carousels in Terminal 1, expanded aircraft stands and a high-speed taxiway intended to improve aircraft movement between gates and runways. The upgrades are expected to support up to 28,000 additional passengers daily.

“Today marks a pivotal moment, the culmination of three years of planning, analysis, competitive procurement and collaboration with industry partners and air carriers to deliver a state-of-the-art airfield that will make Toronto Pearson one of the most efficient and digitally-advanced airports in the industry,” said Deborah Flint, president and CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority. “This is an investment that increases capacity for global trade with Canada. Passengers can be more confident in their journeys through North America’s second-most internationally-connected airport.”

According to the GTAA, the Pearson LIFT program will position the airport to handle 65 million passengers annually, create 16,000 new airport jobs and contribute $30 billion to the Canadian economy. The authority said the initiative is also expected to generate more than $10 billion annually in spending with Canadian suppliers, based on analysis by Oxford Economics.

Pictured: Pearson Airport executives and officials take part in a groundbreaking ceremony at the airport.

Photo: CNW Group/Toronto Pearson