Ontario looking for build teams to dig tunnels for two new Toronto transit projects
By On-Site Staff
Construction Infrastructure
A completed Eglinton Crosstown tunnel that will carry light rail vehicles beneath Toronto. PHOTO: Metrolinx
Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx took a first step toward construction earlier this month on both the Scarborough Subway Extension and Eglinton Crosstown West Extension.
Two new Toronto transit tunnels — together, more than a dozen kilometres long — are needed as infrastructure planners begin implementing a multibillion-dollar initiative to greatly expand the city’s transit network. The provincial agencies issued separate requests for qualifications (RFQ) for tunnelling work on the two projects March 10.
“To expedite work on these projects, tunnelling will begin first, to be followed by separate contracts for the balance of the work on each project, which includes building the stations, fitting-out the tunnels and installing and commissioning the systems,” Infrastructure Ontario, said in a release.
The Scarborough Subway Extension will include three new stations and extend Toronto’s current Line 2 eight kilometres from Kennedy Station to McCowan Road and Sheppard Avenue.
The two projects are located at the eastern and western edges of the city
The Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, meanwhile, is expected to run 9.2 kilometres — six of which are underground — from Mount Dennis to Renforth Drive. The initial phase of the Eglinton Crosstown light rail project is currently under construction and, after a recent delay, expected to open in 2022. As the name implies, the West Extension will stretch the new line farther west.
Each of the new tunnelling contracts use the design, build and finance model. The winning construction team will be responsible for digging the extraction shafts and tunnels, as well as providing the tunnel boring machines, coordinating utility relocations and installing precast concrete tunnel liners.
The province plans to shortlist teams of bidders for each project by this summer.
