Text Summary: Eglinton Crosstown Update

Crosstown Overview

The Crosstown is a $5.3 billion project funded by the Province of Ontario. It includes a 19 kilometre east-west Light Rail Transit (LRT) from Kennedy to Mt. Dennis, including a tunnelled central section, as well as new transit connections to the Yonge, University-Spadina Subway, Scarborough RT, GO Stouffville line and a future connection to the GO Kitchener line. The Crosstown will have up to 26 stations.

Project Schedule

Tunnelling Update

The tunnel contract was awarded on September 11, 2012. The winning consortium is comprised of Kenny Construction Co., Kenaidan Contracting Ltd., Obayashi Canada Ltd. and Technicore Underground Inc.

The assembly of the first Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) at the West Launch pit at Eglinton and Black Creek is complete and tunnelling is underway. A twin machine is currently being assembled.

Tunnel Boring Machine assembly at the West Launch Shaft.

Tunnel Boring Machine and trailing gear at the west launch shaft on June 5th, the first day of tunneling.

Sequence of Tunnel Drive

Tunnel Drive Works 2013

Current Status

The majority of the work taking place in 2013 will be between Black Creek Drive and the vicinity of Allen Road. Crews are already starting the construction of headwalls at future station sites along Eglinton Avenue West. Work zones are currently set up at Keele and Caledonia.

Headwall installation in preparation of station construction at Keele Street.

Headwalls

Headwalls are temporary support walls for future excavation of the LRT stations. They are made of concrete and installed to the depth of the future track level.

There are two methods of installation used to install headwalls, secant pile walls and jet grout. Machinery, including drill rigs, grout tanks, diggers and other equipment, is used to build the headwalls.

Tunnelling from Black Creek to Caledonia is expected to be complete by the end of year.

Secant pile wall: formed by intersecting concrete piles.	Jet grout wall: uses engineered grout to form wall in position.

TBM Extraction Shaft

An extraction shaft is a deep excavated area of land where the first two tunnel boring machines will be removed from the ground. This will be located just west of Allen Road and Eglinton West.

Utility relocation (explained in more detail below) will occur before excavation begins. Temporary concrete support walls will form the foundation of the shaft.

Work will start on the north side of Eglinton Avenue, with traffic shifted according to phases of the work.

The extraction shaft for the tunnel boring machine will be built in the west commuter parking lot. The launch shaft will be built in the east commuter lot.

TBM Launch Shaft

A launch shaft is a deep excavated area of land where two more tunnel boring machines will be assembled and launched for the second phase of tunnelling to Yonge Street. This will be located just east of Allen Road and Eglinton West.

The site will be active for the delivery of tunnel liners and the hauling of spoils northbound on Allen Road for 12 months. A sound barrier will be erected on the north side of the east commuter parking lot to assist with unwanted noise.

Existing subway service will remain operational during this time.

The east commuter lot will be used for the delivery of tunnel liners and hauling of spoils.

Timeline

At future station locations, underground structures, including emergency exits and cross passages, utility relocation and headwall installation are expected to last approximately six months.

At Allen Road, deep excavations are expected to take up to 24 months to construct. These excavations will provide egress and access points for TBMs.

Lastly, the second phase of tunnelling activities to Yonge is expected to take 12 months. Following the completion of tunnelling works, the site will be turned over to the Metrolinx station contractor.

Utility Relocations

Construction of the headwalls and shafts will require movement of some utilities for safety purposes. Depending on site conditions, gas, hydro, water mains, sewers, lighting and telephone and cable lines may be relocated.

In most cases, utility relocation will be undertaken by a Metrolinx contractor in co-ordination with Bell, Enbridge, Toronto War, Toronto Hydro and Cogeco.

Approach to Traffic Management

In construction zones, a minimum of one lane eastbound and westbound on Eglinton will be maintained. Both buses and general traffic will share this lane during construction, with additional lanes provided should space allow.

As a result, signal timing may be modified and turning restrictions may be added or relaxed. Metrolinx will work with the City of Toronto Transportation, local elected official and neighbours to monitor local traffic in affected areas.

Traffic Lane Reductions

For station construction, lane restrictions will be required.	A minimum of one lane in each direction will be maintained on Eglinton.

Anticipated Side Street Closures

In order to safely move utilities out of the way and install underground structures, some local streets off of Eglinton Avenue will be closed during construction phases. The following roads will be affected:

• Strathearn Rd
• Flanders Rd
• Winnett Ave
• Everden Rd
• Atlas Ave
• Park Hill Rd
• Old Park Rd

Allen Road Access

Metrolinx is no longer pursuing the year-long closure of Allen Road. Temporary, short-term closures to on and off ramps will be required during different phases of construction.

We will provide as much notice as possible in advance of closures. Advance warning signs will be placed in the vicinity of the corridor, including electronic changeable message signs and static signs.

Transit Services during tunnel construction

Pedestrian and bus access to Eglinton West Station will remain open. Both eastbound and westbound TTC stops in the affected area may be shifted and relocated for the safety of transit riders. Watch for TTC posted signs indicating adjusted stop locations.

Parking

Three-hour paid parking is currently available on Eglinton Avenue during off-peak hours. In order to provide space for construction work, street parking on Eglinton in the work zone will not be permitted.

To off-set street parking losses for users of the shops and services along Eglinton, Metrolinx is proposing that one-hour parking on some local roads be extended to three hours while construction is impacting parking availability.

The provision of additional all-day parking is not within the scope of The Crosstown works.

Proposed Parking Alternatives

The following streets have been proposed to allow three-hour parking while construction impacts on-street parking availability:

• Glenarden Road: Between Eglinton Avenue & Old Forest Hill Road (west side only)
• Westover Hill Road: Between Eglinton Avenue & Dewbourne Avenue (east side only)
• Wembley Road: Between west end point & Hilltop Road (south side only)

Pedestrians

The goal is to maintain 1.5 metre sidewalk widths wherever possible in the construction zone for both existing and temporary sidewalks. Access to properties from sidewalks should be maintained during this time.

Some sections of sidewalk may be closed, with crossings available at traffic signals. Please take care when travelling near construction and watch for additional signage directing pedestrians.

Pedestrian Detours

A sidewalk width of 1.5 metres will be maintained wherever possible. To ensure pedestrian and worker safety, some sections of sidewalks may be closed.

Please contact us with any additional questions.