Eglinton Crosstown West Extension deal signed and sealed
The Eglinton Crosstown West Extension is another step closer to getting shovels in the ground.
May 20, 2021
The Eglinton Crosstown West Extension has reached an important financial milestone.
Once built, the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension will complete a continuous rapid transit line across the east end of Toronto into Mississauga, bringing more people and jobs closer to transit and making it faster and easier for people to move around the region. It’s a key pillar of the Province’s historic $28.5 billion subway expansion program, which also includes the Ontario Line, the Yonge North Subway Extension, and the Scarborough Subway Extension. Together, these projects will add more than 40 kilometres of new subway service to the rapid transit network.
Back in March, Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario identified West End Connectors as the team they were negotiating with on the final aspects of a contract for designing, building and financing the tunnels for the project. After working together to finalize the details on the financial and technical aspects, the contract is now signed, and West End Connectors is poised to start major works in the near future.
Earlier this year, Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario identified West End Connectors as the team they were negotiating with on the final aspects of a contract for designing, building and financing the tunnels for the project. Here’s an example of a tunnel from the Eglinton Crosstown project underway. (Metrolinx photo)
West End Connectors is a team made up of a mix of international companies who have experience working on other major transit projects in Canada and around the world, including:
- Applicant Lead: Aecon Infrastructure Management Inc., Dragados Canada Inc., Ghella Canada Ltd.
- Construction Team: Aecon Infrastructure Management Inc., Dragados Canada Inc., Ghella Canada Ltd.
- Design Team: TYPSA Inc., EXP Services Inc., Dr. G. Sauer & Partners Corporation, Pedelta Canada Inc.
- Financial Advisor: ACS Infrastructure Canada, Aecon Concessions, Scotiabank Capital, Ghella Investments & Partnerships
Earlier this year, West End Connectors was identified as the First Negotiations Proponent and has been busy on with some early design work. Now that the tunnelling contract is finalized, they’re ready to begin work at the tunnel launch site at Renforth Drive and Commerce Boulevard.
Details of the Dig
The tunnel boring machines will launch at the Renforth site and dig the underground section between Renforth Drive and Scarlett Road. To get the launch site ready for the arrival of the machines early next year, West End Connectors will carry out some utility works, conduct site surveys, and start setting up monitoring equipment for environmental testing. They’ll also be building an access road and mobilizing two rigs to start building the launch shaft.
Set against the size of the workers, here’s how big elements of the tunnel boring machine equipment can be. (Metrolinx photo)
While work is moving quickly to get the tunnel boring machines in the ground at Renforth, construction between Martin Grove Road and Scarlett Road is expected to start in spring 2022. As these plans move forward, the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension team will keep the public informed along the way. And the community will even have a chance to weigh in on a name for the tunnel boring machine later this year.
Visit metrolinx.com/EglintonWest for the latest project information about the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, details on engagement opportunities, and to sign up for the mailing list.
Interested in this project? Here’s another recent story.
Tunnelling teams identified for Scarborough Subway Extension and Eglinton Crosstown West Extension – Now talks begin to drill down on details
by Kimberly Murphy Metrolinx senior advisor, subway program
