By Lynda Myer
In order to advancing the construction of the Yonge North Subway Extension tunnels, the procurement process has been commenced by the Ontario government.
Including the Scarborough Subway Extension, Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, Ontario Line as well as Hamilton light rail transit (LRT), the Yonge North Subway Extension scheme is one of Ontario’s priority transit projects.
Also expanding the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Line 1 by 8km north from the existing terminus at Finch Station into the City of Richmond Hill is a content of this project.
The request for qualifications (RFQ) for the progress of tunnel contract package on the Yonge North Subway Extension, was released by Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx at the end of April.
This project, which stretches through the City of Toronto and York Region, is due to include an around 6.3km tunnelled segment, as well as an above-ground segment that will run along the existing rail corridor in the northern section of the route.
In order to being involved in the bidding process, the advance tunneling RFQ offers interested companies an opportunity by asking them to present their qualifications and construction expertise. This brings the project one step closer to the start of major construction.
The RFQ outlines the scope of work to design, build and finance the tunnels, including:
- Approximately 6.3km of tunneling works
- Design and construction of launch and extraction shafts, tunnels, and headwalls for stations and support of excavation for emergency exit buildings
- Design, procurement and supply of tunnel boring machines and tunnel liner segments
- Reinforcing and improving soil and works necessary to facilitate tunneling under and next to the Canadian National (CN) Railway tracks and the York Durham Sewage System
- Construction of CN right-of-way separation barriers to expedite safe corridor access and construction.
Metrolinx and IO will review the submissions made through the RFQ and will create a shortlist of qualified teams that will be invited to bid on the tunneling contract through a request for proposals. The RFQ can be downloaded here.
Date of commencing work at Finch Station on early upgrades to accommodate the future subway service was February 2023.
Considering that the consortium building the project, Crosslinx Transit Solutions (CTS), intends to litigate and stop working with the TTC, in related news the delayed Eglinton Crosstown LRT project continues to face challenges.
“This is another unacceptable delay tactic by CTS at a time when they should be submitting a credible schedule to Metrolinx for completing the project,” Metrolinx said in a statement.
Following completion construction of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT that was began in 2016, it is due to run across Eglinton Avenue between Mount Dennis and Kennedy Station. The 19km corridor will include a 10km underground portion.
