Emergency Exit Building Construction Update: Centre Lane Switch and Continued Closure of Donlea Drive at Eglinton Avenue East

What work is starting?

Why:  Utility relocations are required to make room for the piles that support the excavated shaft. This shaft is required to be in place before tunnel boring machines pass through, and then for the construction of the underground portion of the EEB.   

When:  Starting as soon as early-February 2015, crews will occupy the centre lanes of Eglinton Avenue for approximately two months. Also, the current traffic closure at the intersection of Donlea Drive and Eglinton Avenue will remain. A jet grout plant will be installed on Donlea Drive at Eglinton for the duration of the Bayview station headwall construction. Some work may be rescheduled or adjusted due to weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

Where: Lane closures will be in place between from west of Bessborough Drive to east of Hanna Road for work in the centre lanes of Eglinton Avenue for several months. In order to minimize occupancy on Eglinton, the jet grout plant will be located on the roadway at Donlea Drive, just north of Eglinton. Specifically, the jet grout plant will occupy northbound Donlea Drive from Eglinton, and will not block any driveways. A fence will enclose the site to separate it from the roadway.

Traffic Details

Traffic will be shifted to both the north and south curb lanes and reduced to one lane in each direction from west of Bessborough Drive to east of Hanna Road as construction takes place in the centre lanes. 

To ensure the safety of the community and public in the vicinity of construction zone, Donlea Drive will remain temporarily closed, to and from Eglinton, until jet grout work is completed.  

In addition: 

• Left turns from Bessborough Drive onto Eglinton Avenue will be prohibited
• Left turns from eastbound Eglinton Avenue onto Bessborough Drive will be prohibited
• Donlea Drive will remain closed at Eglinton Avenue
• Left turns onto and from the eastern-most driveway at Sunnybrook Plaza (660 Eglinton Avenue East), will be prohibited 

Pedestrians

During construction in the centre lanes, the north sidewalk will remain open for pedestrians travelling through our work zone.  To ensure the safety of pedestrians in the vicinity of the construction zone on the south sidewalk, a temporary detour of pedestrians near Leaside High School, will remain in place. Pedestrians travelling on the south side will be diverted onto a temporary sidewalk adjacent to the north side of Leaside High School and around the construction site. The crosswalk at Leaside High School will remain in place. During the occupancy of Donlea Drive by the jet grout plant, sidewalks will remain open for pedestrians. Please take care when travelling near construction areas.

Transit Information

For the safety of transit riders, both eastbound and westbound TTC bus stops in the affected area will be relocated. Watch for additional signs directing pedestrians.

Work Hours

Most of the work will be carried out between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., 7 days a week. In certain situations, some late night and/or early morning works may be required to complete the work and keep construction moving. The contractor will not always work during the extended hours, but may do so at its discretion.

Please Contact Us

If you would like more detail about this work or any other aspect of the Eglinton Crosstown project, please do not hesitate to contact us.  We thank you for your continued patience as we work to build you world class rapid transit.

For more details or updated traffic information, please contact us.

Transforming transit across the middle of Toronto will involve significant road works. Construction will be visible along the corridor and on some side streets. There will be short-term local street closures and turning restrictions to allow for the construction to take place. Metrolinx, City of Toronto staff and your elected officials are working closely together to monitor and make adjustments to the local road configurations, work zones and other day to day items such as signage and temporary adjustments.

Please support your local businesses during construction.