Tunneling progresses on Toronto’s LRT line

Written by Kyra Senese, Managing Editor
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The first tunnel boring machine to be used for the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit line was assembled between February and May 2013.
Eglinton Crosstown/TheCrosstown.ca

Tunneling has been completed on a 6.2-mile tunnel of Toronto’s Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit (LRT) line, one of the largest public transportation projects underway in Canada.

Tunnel boring machines (TBMs) Don and Humber arrived Aug. 17 at Yonge Street, more than two miles from where they began east of Brentcliffe Road last September. The machines are now boring the eastern tunnels along the line, officials say.

During the project, Don and Humber installed more than 26,000 precast concrete tunnel segments, forming 4,363 rings. TBMs Dennis and Lea completed tunneling on the western segment of the Crosstown, reaching Yonge Street this May.

Metrolinx, Ontario’s regional transit agency, and Infrastructure Ontario are working in partnership to develop the LRT.

“Having our east tunnel boring machines reach Yonge Street is another exciting milestone for the Eglinton Crosstown LRT project,” said Metrolinx President and CEO Bruce McCuaig. “With tunneling now complete for both the east and west segments of the line and construction underway on many underground stations, our vision of a modern, integrated transit line in Toronto that connects to three subway stations, three GO stations, and an UP Express station is even closer to becoming a reality.”

Construction shoring has also begun on three Crosstown stations—Keelesdale, Laird and Avenue—with preparatory demolition work underway or completed at 12 other stations.

The project is intended to bring in modern light rail vehicles operating on tracks separated from regular traffic to provide more efficient service that is expected to be 60 percent faster than current bus service in the province.

Construction on the LRT began in 2011 when provincial funds totaling at $5.3 billion in capital investment were allocated to the Toronto project. Officials say about 2,500 workers will be present during peak construction times.

“We are making considerable progress on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT line. The completion of tunneling is a significant step for the project and will provide [11.8 miles] of new rapid transit for Toronto,” said Steven Del Duca, minister of Transportation. “This is further proof of our government’s commitment to provide accessible, modern transit infrastructure that will manage congestion, reduce commute times, create jobs and improve the quality of life for Ontarians.”

It is predicted that the LRT will begin service by September 2021, and the line is expected to better manage Ontario’s greenhouse gas emissions resulting from transportation.

The new LRT line will have 25 stations and stops along Eglinton Avenue between Weston Road and Kennedy Station. The regional public transportation system GO Transit and three TTC interchange subway stations will also link to the line.

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