The project recently reached a significant milestone with the lowering of the TBM at our launch shaft site. We’re excited for Scarborough’s tunnel boring machine, Diggy Scardust, to start tunneling in a few months!
A crucial part of the tunnel building process is the installation of headwalls. These headwalls are underground support structures that create the frame for future subway stations and emergency exit buildings. We will share an overview of the headwall construction schedule along the project route to help the community anticipate what they will see once the work is underway.
On July 6, 2022 we hosted a virtual open house and answered your questions about the next steps in the construction of the Scarborough Subway Extension.
If you couldnt attend, please watch the video recording of the event below.
Call-In With Your Question
As we continue to evolve the virtual engagement format, we are adding a call-in option for tonight’s event. To ask your question by voice, join the Zoom meeting here. We aim to keep each question and subsequent answer to 3 minutes allowing for as many call-in questions as possible.
NOTE: please ensure you have the latest version of Zoom installed.
Meeting ID: 853 5633 7241
Passcode: 588523
Agenda
6:30: Meeting Begins/Opening Remarks
6:35: SSE Project Update
7:00: Questions and Answers
7:30: Wrap up & Closing Remarks
Presentation Materials
Meet the Speakers
Georgina Collymore
Community Engagement Manager, SSE
Jenny Matharu
Program Sponsor, SSE
Justin Ji
Stations Manager, SSE
Michael Dworczak
Advance Works Project Manager, SSE
Nigel Sandy
Community Relations Specialist, SSE
Moderator
Thomas Tuzinski
Deputy Construction Team Lead, STRABAG
Format & Accessibility
Questions will be answered based on popularity (total votes). We aim to answer all questions.
Please review and note that conduct inconsistent with our policies will result in removal.
To enable closed captioning, toggle captions “on” in the YouTube video player settings.
Comments
Construction around McCowan & Progress
AnonymousI see lane reduction and construction on McCowan near Progress. Can you give us an idea of what we can expect on Mccowan between 401 and Ellesmere in the near future. How long is this expected to last?
Answer
MetrolinxGoing south on McCowan Rd between the 401 and Ellesmere, you can expect to see more activity related to headwall construction - https://www.metrolinx.com/en/aboutus/publications/community_documents.aspx#scarborough-subway. We anticipate construction in this area to be completed in late December or early January of next year.
Reconfiguration of McCowan Road and Progress Avenue
AnonymousAs part of making Scarborough Centre more walkable, the intersection of McCowan Road and Progress Avenue is supposed to be reconfigured as an at-grade intersection. Metrolinx is supposed to be responsible for this. Has a timeline for the reconfiguration been established or is this to be determined as part of the Scarborough Centre station construction?
Answer
MetrolinxBringing Progress Avenue to grade was part of the City of Toronto’s Scarborough Centre Master Plan. As part of SSE project, we will be completing this work to support the City’s plans for the area.
This work is expected to start in the spring of 2024 and will include a weekend closure at Progress Avenue. This weekend closure is to bring the overpass down. There will be various stages of closures and the timing of this work is expected to begin before construction of the new Scarborough Centre Station. After construction is completed, Progress Avenue will become a permanent 4-way signalized intersection.
Integration with future Sheppard East Subway Extension
AnonymousHow will the station at Sheppard and McCowan be built to accommodate a future eastwards extension of the Sheppard Subway without having to completely rebuild the station when the Sheppard Subway is being constructed.
Answer
MetrolinxOur current plans at the Sheppard/McCowan terminus station will protect for future expansion considerations, including the proposed Sheppard subway.
traffic detour route for Lawrence/McCowan
AnonymousAnswer
MetrolinxHeadwall construction activities will also take place around the McCowan and Lawrence intersection. Staging activities are scheduled to start in August of this year with the hopes of being completed by March 2023. Construction notices will be distributed within a 500m radius of the work zone.
We plan to share the future traffic impact illustrations related to the Stations, Rail and Systems contract with members of the community soon.
Ensuring good public realm & quality architecture
AnonymousDoes Metrolinx have policies on ensuring that the transit stations and the transit oriented development on Metrolix lands have good public realm and quality architecture? Will Metrolinx have its own Design Review Panel like Waterfront Toronto does to give it independent professional design advice?
Answer
MetrolinxMetrolinx is supportive of good public realm and quality architecture and Metrolinx has developed guidelines to support this. The Metrolinx design team has also contributed to the transit guidelines that have been developed by the city which weave together transit and land use planning to help realize quality transit orientated developments and the public realm.
Congested traffic at Sheppard & McCowan
AnonymousCan detour signs be placed to redirect traffic to resolve heavily congested traffic at intersection, mainly East & West bounds? Sheppard is frequented by emergency vehicles, many times these vehicles are blocked not able to find an easy way to get through.
Answer
MetrolinxWe sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. An essential utility relocation was taking place at the intersection and that caused the congestion in the area - https://www.metrolinx.com/en/greaterregion/projects/docs/scarborough-subway-extension/Sheppard-Avenue-Gas-Main-Relocation-EN.pdf. The utility relocation activities have now been completed and the regular flow of traffic has resumed.
Scarborough Centre mall to subway
AnonymousSince it’s easy from STC mall to the rt station and now it be hard to go from station to mall for the new STC station, Will ttc build a overpass-way to get to the new Scarborough Centre station sorta like how Yorkdale has a long path from the mall to the station, and how minutes would it take to get from STC mall to the new STC station
Answer
MetrolinxThere has been some interest in converting the existing SRT structure once it is decommissioned, and this is an initiative that would be led by the City/ TTC. Metrolinx continues to follow up with the City and TTC on the plans for this. The SSE team is aware of this community interest and are working to make provisions in the design at an early stage to allow for a seamless connection between this elevated structure and the subway station.
The distance is about 500m east of the existing station to the new location and it's about a 5 min walk from there to the shopping mall. A secondary entrance is being planned on the west side of McCowan Road and Triton Road and will be built through a proposed future development.
Possible subway station on Eglington/Danforth Road/Brimley Road
AnonymousGiven the current rapid development is there any consideration given on building a headwall structure on the intersection of Eglinton Ave between Danforth road and Brimley road that would be utilized as the foundation of a future subway station.
Answer
MetrolinxAt the moment, The Scarborough Subway Extension is funded to build three new subway stations to join TTC’s Line 2. This project might not build a new subway station at Danforth and Eglinton but there are discussions for additional transit development in the future. We appreciate your feedback and understand how new transit infrastructure supports heathy communities.
When can we provide input on station names?
AnonymousThe community would like to provide ideas for station names on the project.
Answer
MetrolinxWe are developing a series of names with a goal of making each station distinct and easy to identify in the region. Expect engagement with members of the community to be brought forward after our construction partner for the Stations, Rail and Systems procurement is announced later this fall. The exact timing for our community engagement is still being finalized. We’ll be following a similar process to what Metrolinx applied to the LRT projects.
Scarborough Centre station location
AnonymousAs it seen on the plan for the new Scarborough Centre station placement is located on the old McCowan station entrance is, wouldn’t it be better to have the station bus terminal on the triton road area instead of the old McCowan station entrance, the right side can be another entrance to pay your fare
Answer
MetrolinxDue to the proposed track/tunnel alignment of the extension, the new subway station is required to be located along McCowan Rd. To integrate the entrance with the station, the most convenient location for commuters is also on McCowan Road as well.
Another factor that influenced the location of the new station is the bus terminal. Metrolinx is building a larger bus terminal which requires it to be directly connected to the station.
Lawrence East Station
AnonymousSince it was heard that 54 Lawrence East bus will enter the bus terminal and not the 16 McCowan, wouldn’t it be better for the 16 McCowan bus to enter Lawrence East Station bus terminal as well, and maybe some routes that can help service Lawrence East Station
Answer
MetrolinxThank you for your feedback. As we receive information from the community, we will continue to share suggestions with our transit partner at the TTC. The TTC is responsible for their own future service planning, and we are working with them to maximize local bus connections at every Scarborough Subway Extension station.
What is happening just north of the 401 on the East side of McCo
AnonymousWhat is the problem with your site that it won't accept a full question?
Answer
MetrolinxWe apologize for any inconvenience this issue may have caused. Just north of the 401 on the east side of McCowan Rd our construction crews have started activities to complete the headwall for one of the emergency exit buildings. Headwalls are underground support structures that create the frame for stations and emergency exit buildings. The tunnel boring machine that is being used to build the tunnel will pass through these headwalls.
When will parking be included in the planning for McCowan Statio
AnonymousGiven that the neighbourhoods around this station are not compete communities. Given that this station is the end station for the Scarborough Subway Extension parking is needed.
Answer
MetrolinxThank you for your feedback. We appreciate members of the community sharing their insights while we’re building the Scarborough Subway Extension. All three of the new subway stations do not include parking lots or garages. Through close collaborations with our transit partners at the TTC and GO, we’re striving to maximize the number of local connections and transfer points at each station.
Will there be a Bus Way / Bus Stop here at the STC?
DimayugaWhen the RT Station is closed next year, will there be a Bus Way / Bus Station here at the Scarborough Town Centre RT Station?
Answer
MetrolinxWhen the SRT is decommissioned in 2023, the bus terminal at Scarborough Town Centre will still be operational for TTC Routes. For more information regarding the TTC’s plans on Line 3, please visit https://www.ttc.ca/about-the-ttc/projects-and-plans/Future-of-Line-3-Scarborough.
What is happening just north of the 401 on the East side of McCo
AnonymousAnswer
MetrolinxJust north of the 401 on the east side of McCowan Rd our construction crews have started activities to complete the headwall for one of the Emergency Exit Buildings. Headwalls are underground support structures that create the frame for stations and emergency exit buildings. The tunnel boring machine that is being used to build the tunnel will pass through these headwalls.