Metrolinx continues progress on delivering transit solutions in Toronto

Tunnel construction contract awarded for the Eglinton-Scarborough Crosstown Light Rail Transit project

TORONTO – The Metrolinx Board has approved the award of the Eglinton-Scarborough Crosstown tunnel construction contract from the west launch shaft area near Black Creek Drive to Yonge-Eglinton station, signalling another important step in the largest light rail transit expansion in the City of Toronto’s history.

“Approval to award this contract means Metrolinx and the Province of Ontario can keep moving forward to deliver public transit that will transform the way residents travel across the region,” said Bruce McCuaig, Metrolinx President and CEO. “Metrolinx has long identified the Crosstown as a priority project for regional transit, making it easier for people to choose transit.”

The $320M contract is the first of two tunnelling contracts packages anticipated for the Crosstown project. Crosstown Transit Constructors, a joint venture of Obayashi Canada Ltd., Kenny Construction Company, Kenaidan Contracting Ltd. and Technicore Underground Inc., will begin work in late 2012 to construct a 6.2-kilometre tunnel beneath Eglinton Avenue from the west launch shaft area at Black Creek Drive to Yonge Street using two tunnel boring machines.

“We are moving forward on the biggest investment in public transit in the City of Toronto,” said Bob Chiarelli, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation and Minister of Infrastructure. “This project will create tens of thousands of jobs and make it easier for commuters to get to work, school or appointments.”

The first drive will be from the west launch shaft to west of Allen Road where the machines will be extracted and re-launched east of Allen Road to avoid tunneling under the existing Spadina subway line. The second drive will continue from east of Allen Road to just west of Yonge Street.

For more detailed information on the tunnelling process for the Crosstown, go to www.thecrosstown.ca/tunnelling.

The Crosstown project is an important part of Metrolinx’s successful and ongoing expansion of rapid transit infrastructure and is identified in The Big Move, the regional transportation plan for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

Metrolinx is the Province of Ontario’s regional transportation agency for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. For more information, go to www.metrolinx.com.

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Vanessa Thomas
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