Metrolink approves Eglinton Crosstown East Tunnel contract
26 November 2013The board of directors at the Ontario government agency's Metrolink has approved the award of the Eglinton Crosstown East Tunnel construction contract from Yonge Street to just east of Brentcliffe Road, it was announced recently.
This CARD 177M (163.5M) contract is the second of the two tunnelling contract packages for the Crosstown Project.
"Approval to award this contract means Metrolinx and the Province of Ontario can keep moving forward to deliver public transit that will transform the way residents travel across the region," said Bruce McCuaig, Metrolinx president and CEO. "The Crosstown project is a priority for Metrolinx and regional transit, making it easier for people to choose transit."
Aecon Dragados Joint Venture will begin work in late 2013 to construct approximately 3.25km of twin tunnels using two TBMs and precast concrete tunnel lining segments supplied by Metrolinx. The twin tunnels are to be constructed as a single pair of drives from a launch shaft located east of Brentcliffe Road to an extraction shaft located east of Yonge Street.
"We are moving forward on the biggest investment in public transit in the City of Toronto," said Glen Murray, Ontario minister of transportation and infrastructure. "The Eglinton Crosstown Project will create tens of thousands of jobs and make it easier for commuters to get work, school or home to their families."
Tunnelling from the west launch shaft area near Black Creek Drive to Yonge-Eglinton station began in June 2013, under a contract awarded by the Metrolinx Board last year.
The Eglinton Crosstown Project is a key project planned for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). Currently, Metrolinx has CAD 16bn (USD 14.7bn) worth of projects underway that make up an extensive network of regional rapid transit projects.
