A $45-million pedestrian tunnel to Billy Bishop Island Airport will be built in 2012, the Toronto Star reports.

The Toronto Port Authority told the news outlet that an environmental assessment is underway. It hopes 30 to 40 per cent of the tunnel's plans are ready by the end of this year.

The 123-metre tunnel will be financed through a public-private partnership that will include money from the $20 improvement fee charged on flights that depart from the island.