Text Summary: Station Design Update

 

East Tunnel Construction Timeline

•    Contract awarded
•    Construction of launch shaft – 1 year
•    Utility relocation at headwalls
•    Construction of headwalls – 6 to 8 months
•    Construction of extraction shaft at Yonge Street

Cross-section of a Tunnel Boring MachineTunnel Boring Machine

The construction of new tunnels under Eglinton Avenue is done by tunnel boring machines or TBMs. Each TBM moves forward by pushing off against concrete segments. The operator advances the machine as soil is removed from the TBM face through a conveyor system. The launch pit remains active for removal of muck/spoils.

Launch of the Tunnel Boring Machine

The Eglinton Crosstown tunnel will consist of side-by-side or twin tunnels. Each tunnel will be 6.75 metres internal diameter. Initially, one machine will begin excavation; the other will follow on a parallel course soon after.

Launch Shaft Operations

To keep the tunnel safe for the crew a ventilation system pumps fresh air into the tunnel and exhaust air is moved out of the tunnel. Cranes remain in position during the mining operation; muck will be hauled out and new concrete tunnel segments will be delivered.

Tunnelling Begins

Tunnel boring machines will work beneath Eglinton Avenue, allowing business activities and traffic to continue. A single TBM will tunnel 75 metres per week, and each machine is capable of moving 500 cubic metres of earth per day. The machines are made in Toronto by Caterpillar Tunneling Canada Corporation, formerly LOVAT, a world leader in tunnel boring machine manufacturing.

The below image illustrates the East Tunnels Launch Shaft. 

East Tunnels Launch Shaft

Design Excellence at Metrolinx

Design excellence at Metrolinx refers to the successful interplay between:

  • Functionality
  • Durability
  • Beauty
  • Value

Crosstown Principles of Design Excellence

  • A strong conceptual narrative vision across the system
  • Design that elevates the quality of the public transit experience
  • Civic caliber and scale of built form and materials
  • Clarity and simplicity of architectural expression through integrated design of building systems and elements
  • Responsiveness to contextual, local and future conditions

Accessibility

Crosstown Accessible Features: Stations

  • Accessible path from street to platform
  • Accessible routes identified
  • Station attendant
  • Platform edge tactile strip
  • Wayfinding tiles on platforms
  • Near level boarding of trains
  • Platform edge illumination
  • Audible messages throughout stations
  • Signage with accessible features
  • Designated Waiting Area
  • Colour contrast between station walls and floors
  • Equipment mounted at accessible heights
  • Benches

Crosstown Accessibility Features: Stops

  • Platform edge tactile strip
  • Platform edge illumination
  • Colour contrast at between walls and platform
  • Equipment mounted at accessible heights
  • Sheltered benches
  • Sheltered wheelchair area
  • Passenger assistance intercom
  • Ramp access to platforms
  • Signage with accessible features

Stations and Stops

Laird Station

Local Context: Demand

Laird Station Local Context
There are many residences within 900m radius of the Laird station.

Local Context: Land Use

Aerial view of the Laird Drive and Eglinton Avenue intersection
The above rendering is an aerial view of the Laird Drive and Eglinton Avenue intersection, demonstrating the neighbourhoods and businesses this station will serve.

Profile View

Cross-section profile view of the Laird station concourse and platform
The above rendering shows a cross-section profile view of the Laird station concourse and platform.

Longitudinal Section

Preliminary representation of Laird Station's entrances and station
The above rendering is a preliminary representation of the entrances and station, subject to change throughout the next phases of the design process. Passengers will travel below ground to the concourse level where they will pay their fare and then proceed down to the station platform to board their train.

Main Entrance

Main entrance for Laird Station
The main station entrance will be located on the south west corner of Laird Drive and Eglinton Avenue West.

Secondary Entrance

Secondary entrace for Laird Station
The secondary station entrance will be located on the north west corner of Laird Drive and Eglinton Avenue West.

Brentcliffe Portal

Illustrates the Brentcliffe portal
This illustrates the Brentcliffe portal.

East Portal and Don West Bridge

Illustrates the east portal and Don West Bridge
This illustrates the east portal and Don West Bridge.

Leslie Stop

Local Context: Demand

Illustrates the land use around the Leslie stop
This illustrates the land use in the area within walking distance.

Local Context: Pedestrian Flow

Preliminary platform design for Leslie surface stop
Preliminary platform design for Leslie surface stop.

CP Rail bridge

Illustrates how the LRTs will travel under the CP Rail bridge
This illustrates how the LRT vehicles will move underneath the CP Rail bridge in a dedicated lane, separate from traffic.

Don Mills Station

Local Context: Demand

Don Mills Station Local Context
This illustrates the land use in the area within walking distance.

Local Context: Land Use

Illustrates the existing land use around Don Mills station
This illustrates the existing land use around Don Mills station.

Primary Entrance

Primary entrance for Don Mills Station
The above displays a rendering of the primary entrance to Don Mills Station.

Secondary Entrance

Secondary entrace for Don Mills Station
The above displays a rendering of the secondary entrance to Don Mills Station.

Longitudinal Section

Preliminary representation of the entrances at Don Mill's station
The above rendering is a preliminary representation of the entrances and station, subject to change throughout the next phases of the design process. Passengers will travel below ground to the concourse level where they will pay their fare and then proceed down to the station platform to board their train.

Ferrand

Ferrand Portal

Ferrand portal
This illustrates the Ferrand portal.

Wynford

Local Context: Pedestrian Flow

Preliminary platform design for Wynford surface stop
Preliminary platform design for Wynford surface stop.

Stop configuration view

The below images display the Wynford Stop as proposed in both the RCD and as proposed in the environmental assessment.

Wynford Stop as Proposed in the RCD
Wynford Stop as Proposed in the RCD.

 

Wynford Stop as Proposed in the EA
Wynford Stop as Proposed in the EA.

Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP)

The public-private partnership model has been underway in Canada for 20 years and has been used in 165 projects, including the Canada Line rapid transit project (Vancouver), Autoroute 25 in Montreal and the Trans-Canada highway in Atlantic Canada. In Ontario, AFP has been used for the Pan AM games athletes’ village, Ottawa Light Rail Transit, Highway 407 East Phase 1 and the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway (formerly the Windsor-Essex Parkway).

Owner’s Role Changes with AFP

AFP Model

Advantages of AFP include:

  • Increased capacity to bring projects to market.
  • Transfer of risk: Appropriate risks are transferred to the private sector to ensure “on time, on budget” delivery and to offer value for money. Design, construction, cost escalation, schedule delays, operations, maintenance, life cycle, and financial risk are all transferred to the private sector.
  • Cost certainty: AFP provides the optimal cost combination, combining capital, maintenance and life cycle costs while integrating design and construction.

Metrolinx's Roles and Responsibilities include:

Design

  • Overall scope (inclusion of maintenance, operations, etc.)
  • Project-specific output specifications (in collaboration with consultant team)
  • Real estate acquisition (in collaboration with the City of Toronto)

Build

  • Oversee construction phase
  • Quality assurance

Finance

  • Manage project budget
  • With Infrastructure Ontario, run a competitive procurement process; select the winning contractor

Maintain

  • Testing & commissioning (in collaboration with the Toronto Transit Commission)
  • Safety certification and project acceptance

Operation

  • TTC to Operate
  • Integration with existing TTC system