First Spadina Subway extension contract awarded to an Aecon JV

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) awarded a CAD 279M (USD 276M) contract to Aecon, the first of two for tunnelling the 8.6km Toronto-York Spadina Subway extension.

For this first contract, the southern package from Downsview to Finch West station, a joint venture of Aecon/McNally Construction/Kiewit Construction will bore the 2.6km of twin running tunnels that will extend the Spadina line and construct the new Sheppard West station.

Construction for the extension will start in December, and Don Brophy, senior vice president of Aecon’s infrastructure division, confirmed tunnelling work will start in March 2011.

The second contract, the northern package, includes NATM plus compensation grouting to construct a double ended pocket track housing structure for trains to turn at peak time. It is expected to go to tender on 15 December. All contractors were prequalified in early 2010.

TTC has procured four Lovat EPB machines of 6.12m diameter, in advance of tendering the contracts.