The Stage 2 Team are preparing a bilingual public notice with the information and attached graphics below, which indicate 4 phases of work site configurations towards completing utility relocations, excavation of the tunnel, and other related works. It will be mail-dropped to homes in the area. The information will be sent out via the Stage 2 Project E-newsletter to Queensview Station subscribers. It will also be sent to QTN representatives, and KEV has been working directly with homes at the corner of Connaught and Hanlon that are closest to the work site.
Note that there is a small section regarding flyover and pedestrian bridge work, the Stage 2 Team will prepare a separate package of information that more fully explains work sequencing and site configuration for what is happening in that area further north in Connaught Park.
Connaught Tunnel
The Connaught Tunnel will be constructed using a cut and cover method, meaning the tunnel will be dug from surface. Once the tunnel floor, walls, and roof are constructed with steel and concrete, it will be backfilled to previous conditions at surface. Connaught Avenue will always remain open for use by all road users through construction but will experience some temporary detours and minor delays; temporary covers (steel plates) will be used to maintain access during work.
Site Configuration Through Construction
The existing baseball diamond in Connaught Park will be temporarily closed through several years of construction, and the wider area will be used to keep construction equipment and materials. The project contractor will install a nuisance mitigation barrier behind the properties located on Hanlon Avenue. Workers will be able to park vehicles along the most southern edge of Connaught Park. Elsewhere, the construction site will be contained with fencing.
Site access from public roads will be provided from the north end via Connaught Avenue at Severn Avenue, and at the southern end of Connaught Avenue, along Highway 417, from Queensview Drive, and later Pinecrest Road. Access into the park area will be through the right of way at Henley Street, which will be a temporary gravel road.
Construction in 2020
Construction in this area will begin this spring, in the coming weeks, with the installation of signage, fencing, equipment, and general site preparations. Activities listed below will outline the initial phases of construction work to begin.
Utility Work
Utilities in the area of the rail alignment must be relocated in order to make way for future LRT infrastructure. Relocation of the utility lines in the Connaught field will begin in May, followed by lines at Connaught and Hanlon Avenues in June.
This work on water and sewer lines will continue throughout summer. There will be no interruption of services during this construction. Once these relocations are complete, crews will be positioned to begin construction of the Connaught Tunnel.
Excavation south of the OC Transpo Facility off Connaught Avenue
The area just south of the OC Transpo facility, to the limits just north of Highway 417, will be fully excavated to the same grade as OC Transpo’s driveway. Crews will be using hauling route from this site up to Queensview Drive, or headed west alongside Highway 417, towards Pinecrest.
Connaught Park Bridges
The Connaught Park area will have work occurring on two bridge structures: a flyover rail bridge, and a new pedestrian bridge to replace the existing structure.
The flyover rail bridge will connect the tunnel section with the future Lincoln Fields station. Construction will begin with the setup of a laydown area at the end of April, followed by drilling of bridge supports from May through July. The supports are built as part of the bridge’s lower structure.
The new pedestrian overpass, situated north of the existing bridge, will cross over the future rail alignment, and will not be built until 2021. The existing bridge will remain available to the public until the new bridge is available for use.
Anticipated Impacts
Noise and temporary disruptions are anticipated. Monitoring devices for sound and vibration levels will be placed in multiple areas to make sure levels do not exceed pre-determined project limits. Devices will be placed on public and private property, with owner consent, in key work zones to be able to monitor close to residences and businesses, to keep work is within limits.
