The long-talked about downtown relief subway line is closer to getting a shovel into the ground.

Metrolinx and the city of Toronto have received notice that the provincial environmental assessment of the project is complete.

Mayor John Tory says the project’s taken a ”giant step forward,” adding it’s a vitally important transit project.

”It has moved forward because we have worked hard to move it forward consistently over the last four years and because we have established the kind of partnerships with the other governments that are necessary to move these projects forward,” said the mayor.

Both Tory and mayoral challenger and former chief city planner Jennifer Keesmaat endorse the relief line but have different timelines for its completion.

Current projections would see it ready by 2031 while Keesmaat wants it finished three years sooner.

The proposed relief line and its eight stops would connect Osgoode Station on Line 1 with Pape on Line 2.