Pedestrian tunnel to Billy Bishop Airport set to open July 30

This photo shows the new pedestrian tunnel that connects to Billy Bishop Airport that opens July 30. (Port Toronto)

An underground pedestrian tunnel connecting downtown Toronto to the Billy Bishop island airport is officially set to open on July 30.

Ports Toronto announced Monday that it will open the $82.5-million tunnel, which has been under construction for three years, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony inside the airport next week.

The tunnel will feature elevators on the mainland side that will descend 30 metres down into the tunnel. It will take less than six minutes to travel across the tunnel. The tunnel leads to the airport's check-in area.

The pedestrian tunnel will link the island airport to the mainland, meaning travellers will no longer have to wait for a ferry to catch their flight. The tunnel are outfitted with four moving sidewalks travelling at approximately 2.3 kilometers per hour.

The tunnel can accommodate 1,100 people per hour.

For travellers who prefer taking the ferry to the island, Ports Toronto confirms it will continue to run once the tunnel has opened.

Ports Toronto says the tunnel was built through a public-private partnership, and at no cost taxpayers.