Managing Dust and Mud
- Projects & Programs
- Managing Dust and Mud
What to expect
Construction can stir up dust and leave mud behind, especially during excavation or when heavy equipment is being used. Keeping communities clean and tidy is an important part of our commitment to being a good neighbour in the communities where we work. Metrolinx takes steps to control the spread of dust and mud from our work zones, using a range of measures to manage air quality and keep streets and sidewalks clean.
Before excavation begins, we carefully test soil within construction areas to make sure it meets environmental standards and that any material removed is handled appropriately. During construction, we monitor conditions regularly so we can respond quickly to control dust and mud from construction equipment and vehicles when needed.
Metrolinx puts measures in place at construction sites to manage dust and protect air quality.
Controlling the spread of dust
As part of construction planning, we strive to reduce the footprint of our work sites to control the amount of dust produced during excavation and other construction activities. We also work with our contractors to plan truck routes that avoid residential neighbourhoods, whenever possible.
During construction, we use measures like these to reduce dust from construction sites and keep neighbourhoods cleaner:
- Spraying road surfaces: We regularly spray water on roads and work areas to stop dust from becoming airborne, especially during dry or windy conditions. On some sites, a mixture of beet juice and salt brine may also be used. This solution clings to the road surface and can help keep dust down for longer.
- Covering exposed soil: Piles of material and loose soil can be covered to keep dust contained. When possible, we plant vegetation – like grasses or other non-invasive plants – on exposed areas to hold soil in place and prevent it from drying out and spreading.
- Fencing and netting: We use temporary barriers like fencing and mesh netting around our construction sites to catch dust and debris before it drifts into nearby areas.
- Washing equipment: Construction crews regularly clean trucks and construction equipment to avoid tracking dust into the surrounding area when they leave work sites.
- Monitoring air quality: We keep a close eye on air quality around our construction sites, using monitoring equipment, where necessary, to detect any issues early and to inform us when we need to put additional solutions in place.
Crews work within a contained construction zone near an intersection.
Managing mud
Rain and wet conditions can make construction sites muddy. These are some of the steps we take to keep mud from ending up on roads and sidewalks:
- Regular site sweeping and clean-up: Our construction teams regularly clear away loose material and sweep work areas to reduce the build-up of dust and debris that could be carried away by wind or vehicles.
- Street and sidewalk cleaning: Streets and sidewalks near work zones are swept and cleaned regularly to remove dust, mud, and debris.
- Washing vehicles and equipment: Trucks and machinery are regularly cleaned to avoid tracking mud and dust into the surrounding area when they leave work sites.
- Wheel washing stations: Where necessary, trucks pass through a wheel wash station at the exit of a work site to rinse off mud and debris before rejoining public roads.
- Gravel pads or rumble strips: These measures are often installed at work site exits to knock mud off vehicles before they reach public streets.
- Mud mats: Where the ground is soft or muddy, we can lay down heavy-duty mats at construction site exits to give vehicles a stable surface to drive over and help scrape off mud from tires and keep it from spreading onto nearby roads.
- Managing runoff: We use barriers like filter fabric or silt socks – long tubes filled with filtering material – around the edges of our work sites. They help stop mud and water from washing into nearby streets or properties.
Conditions are monitored regularly so that action can be taken to prevent dirt and mud from spreading beyond construction zones.
Our commitment
Metrolinx strives to keep construction sites tidy and well-organized throughout our projects. We inspect work sites regularly to spot any potential issues early, and we work closely with our contractors to make sure the right approach is taken for each work site.
Get in touch
We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work together to create a faster, more connected transit network for the future.
If you have questions about work on a Metrolinx project being built close to you, please reach out to the Community Engagement team in your area:
