Drilling picks up steam on Finch West LRT station construction
From utility relocation to drilling & excavations, progress is being made on the Finch West LRT.
May 28, 2020
Move over summer, transit construction is heating up in northwestern Toronto.
Right now, construction crews are drilling deep into the ground near Finch Avenue West and Keele Street. This work is significant because it marks the start of construction on Finch West station – which will be the eastern edge of the Finch West light rail transit (LRT) project.
When it’s finished, the Finch West LRT will run 11 kilometres along Finch Avenue West from Keele Street all the way to Humber College and Hwy 27.
The drilling work happening now is specifically to install supports before major digging work begins. A large rig is used to drill holes into the ground and fill them with concrete and steel piles to create columns that will support the excavation of the entrances to the Finch West station, the pedestrian tunnel which will connect both the LRT and the existing TTC subway station, as well as the portal where light rail vehicles will enter and leave the station.
The new underground LRT station is being built right above the existing Finch West TTC subway station all while subway trains continue to travel below.
Pile installation is a common method used for the foundation of a building. A pile rig drills through the soil to install piles several metres into the ground to support excavation for the station. (Metrolinx photo)
Humber College construction
On the western edge of the transit route, there is ongoing work at the Humber College’s north campus. In particular, this excavation work is happening right in one of the college’s parking lots as preparations continue for major constructions.
Construction work happening in parking lot #5 at Humber College (Metrolinx photo)
Water main work is also taking place on Finch Avenue West between Sentinel Road and Romfield Lane. As the transit project moves forward, residents will see many similar excavations as utilities are relocated to make room for the future light transit rail line.
Watermain work taking place on Finch Ave. W. between Sentinel Rd. and Romfield Ln. (Metrolinx photo)
Want to learn more about this project?
To keep up with the latest construction updates and other important information about the Finch West LRT, community members can sign up Metrolinx’s Toronto West online newsletter by clicking here.
Want to see other transit related progress Metrolinx is spearheading? Then check out this special page.
by Scott Money Metrolinx editorial content manager
