Eglinton-Scarborough Crosstown Tunnels West

Project Highlights

Role: Obayashi/Kenny/Kenaidan/Technicore JV Partner

Project Delivery: Bid-Build

Tunnel Equipment: Two 6.5 EPB TBM

Primary Support: 6m Precast Concrete Tunnel Liners (PCTL)

Ground Conditions: Glacial Till/Sand/Soft Clays

Project Description

The Eglinton-Scarborough Crosstown Tunnel West, Keele to Yonge Contract, is part of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT project, one of the largest infrastructure expansion projects in Toronto’s history. The light rail transit (LRT) line will run across Eglinton Avenue between Mount Dennis (Weston Road) and Kennedy Station. This project is part of an $8.5 Billion transit expansion program. The scope of work includes construction of a 6.5km long, twin-bored tunnel running beneath Eglinton Avenue from Black Creek Station to the Yonge Street Station. The 6 meter twin tunnel was constructed using earth pressure balance (EPB) tunnel boring machines with installation of precast concrete tunnel liners (PCTL). The PCTL had an internal diameter of 6 meter with a reinforced wire cage. Technicore along with its Joint Venture Partners, Obayashi, Kenny and Kenaidan carried out the construction of the 6.5 kilometer twin tunnels. Technicore was primarily responsible for the management and sourcing of the labour force including, scheduling, payroll, union and trade agreements. Strict adherence to local codes and standards was necessary for successful completion of this project. Due to its proximity to local businesses and residences in the highly populated downtown core, a rigorous settlement monitoring systems was permitted to ensure no disruption to existing infrastructure occurred.

Owner: Metrolinx/TTC

Start Date: September 2013

Completion Date: December 2016

Drive Length: 6500 meters

Diameter: 6.5 meter

Consultants: Hatch Mott MacDonald

Contract Amount: $320,000,000

Ground Conditions

The project encountered several varied ground conditions including glacial till, sand/silt interface to clay. The TBMs were equipped with EPB to control the face pressure during excavation. Jet grouting was also required at regular intervals to support the precast tunnel liners and reduce the loss of ground during excavation. Approximately 60-70% of soil was categorized as sandy silt/silty sand.

Honors & Awards

2015 Canadian Concrete Structural Design

2014 Canadian Tunnel Project of the Year

2014 International Specialist Tunnel Project of the year

Article: Trenchless International (Winter 2015) Innovation Award

Article: Tunnels and Tunneling (Winter 2014)

Article: Shotcrete Magazine (Fall 2014)

Article: North America Tunneling Journal (October/November 2013)