The Hurontario LRT - Construction Review 2020
The Hurontario corridor has been separated into 16 work/construction zones, from Port Credit GO all the way to Steeles Avenue in Brampton. This helps us share what work most matters to your community.
A look back at 2020 construction activities for the Hurontario Light Rail Transit project.
Numerous preparatory works for the HuLRT started three years ago, long before visible changes could be seen on the roadways. It started with site investigations and surveys of the corridor to evaluate underground conditions and understand the utilities present. Metrolinx has been working steadily along the corridor since, moving utilities to make way for the new transit line. This significant undertaking involved coordinating and executing 46 projects, including the relocation of approximately 22km of hydro cable, 11km of new gas mains and 28km of new telecom cables along the street. These utility relocations are finally complete, combined they equal about the length of 650 football fields.
In the Spring of 2020, borehole investigations began to evaluate the physical properties of the corridor. This was completed at various points along Hurontario Street using a small drill rig attached to a conventional truck to collect soil and rock samples for further laboratory testing. By understanding the soil, groundwater, and bedrock characteristics along the alignment, the team was able to optimize and complete the design work and engineering plans for the HuLRT foundation.
Construction also began in the Spring for the Operations, Maintenance and Storage Facility (OMSF) in Brampton. Activities included borehole investigation, demolition of a vacant residential farmhouse, removal of a septic tank and underground water cistern, removal of miscellaneous debris, trees, and general site grading and fencing. Crews also began installation of protective environmental measures which included a water runoff pond. Other construction activities included development of an access haul road, a temporary parking lot, a laydown area, and office trailers. Site fill and removal of debris was also carried out onsite.
In the Summer, major construction on the roadway started for the project. Residents of both Mississauga and Brampton would have noticed crews removing medians from the centre of Hurontario Street. The raised strip of land between opposing traffic lanes was removed and leveled with the road’s surface. Removing the medians early means that we can shift traffic lanes to accommodate the work as we go, maintaining access during construction of the new HuLRT guideway. Once the medians were removed, temporary traffic signals were installed to manage the flow of traffic as construction continues.
Widening a bridge across a major Toronto-area highway must start with a strong foundation. In preparation for the Hurontario LRT, construction crews have laid the groundwork for expanding the Highway 407 overpass at Hurontario Street. Initial steps involved constructing six-metre-tall columns that will support the widening of the overpass when crews begin major construction next year. Read the full article on Metrolinx News.
Construction crews are working diligently to complete median removals along the corridor so that newly paved area can be used as drivable roadway in order to mitigate traffic impacts during major construction.
