There’s a lot of planning in place, as the Hurontario Light Rail Transit (HuLRT) project prepares for work in Port Credit, as well as through a 400-series highway.

Those changes include enhancements to the Port Credit GO Station, a new Lakeshore West corridor underpass and revitalization of the QEW underpass.

The building of the Lakeshore West underpass will allow the light rail vehicle (LRV) to travel under the rail corridor into the future below-ground Port Credit LRT Station. This underpass will be located on the south side of the rail corridor. For this, crews begin with the protection and removal of trees and shrubs, expected to begin this month (Feb).

As well, crews will soon be installing plywood fencing around trees in the area to protect them from construction debris. As many trees as possible will be protected. However, trees that cannot be protected will need to be removed – replaced as required by local bylaws as a part of the final landscaping phase.

Excavation and shoring works for the QEW underpass will also take place. Once the area has been excavated and supported, crews will build the hollow concrete structure, or a ‘push box’ and install temporary track support systems. Following that, hydraulic jacks will be used to slowly push the push box into its place.

The builders will excavate the area under the QEW to form a tunnel. The push box will then be installed into the tunneled area, creating a passageway for northbound traffic to pass through. Using this innovative tactic allows the constructor to have minimal disruptions to traffic on the QEW.

Preparation work will begin in the Port Credit area in the spring, starting with a designated laydown area at Port Credit GO Station.  The laydown area will act as the spot where crews will store equipment and materials during construction of the LRT project.  

Other future work in the south includes the revitalization to the QEW underpass.

Where traditional widening of the QEW would be time-consuming and cause major disruption and long-term closures, this method will ensure the work is completed over a long weekend. Metrolinx News will share plans well in advance, to help residents and commuters plan their routes.

The revitalization will provide a seamless connection along the entire Hurontario corridor.  The existing Hurontario underpass at the QEW has enough space for the two southbound lanes and the LRT line to fit within the structure. The new push box structures used on the HuLRT line will be a first of their kind in Ontario and will provide the additional space required for northbound traffic.

To residents travelling along Hurontario, the area will look largely as it does now, once completed. The only difference is that there will be a diversion where northbound traffic will have to travel through the new structure while southbound traffic will share an underpass with the LRV.

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