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Eglinton Crosstown LRT -- Petman:
Exit construction continues, September 21



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Metrolinx contractors are working to build the future Eglinton Crosstown light rail transit line.

As part of the project, contractors are building emergency exit buildings between underground stations more than about 760 metres (2,500 feet) apart. The buildings will allow passengers to easily evacuate the transit tunnel in the event of an emergency. An emergency exit building usually includes an evacuation pathway, a staircase between the tunnel and ground level and a small building on the surface. The scale of construction is similar to building a small underground station. Generally, contractors need about two years to finish each emergency exit building. Work started on the emergency exit at Petman Avenue — about halfway between the future Bayview and Mt Pleasant Stations — in December 2014.

Crews continue to occupy three lanes on the north side of Eglinton Avenue East in the area between west of Cardiff Road and Forman Avenue for several months to install secant piles (underground concrete columns) with a large drill rig machine. As one crew building pilings on the north lanes of Eglinton Avenue East at Petman, other crews are relocating overhead and underground utilities. They have move the utilities safely out of the way before the contractors can start building the headwalls for the future emergency exit.

Headwalls are underground support walls at the east and west ends of an underground station — or an exit building. They create the frame for the future stations and exits and must be in place before tunnel-boring machines arrive at each site. Depending on site conditions, crews must relocate gas and hydro and telephone lines, water mains, sewers, traffic signals and street lights before they can start building the headwalls.


Starting Monday, September 21, crews are also moving utilities and installing more secant piles on the east side of Petman just south of Eglinton East. They’re digging a shaft to start building the emergency exit escape tunnel.


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Crews continue to occupy the three north lanes of Eglinton Avenue East for several months between west of Cardiff Road and Falcon Street. The City continues to shift traffic to the south side of Eglinton and reduce it to just one lane in each direction near Petman Avenue.

  • You can’t drive northbound from Petman Avenue onto Eglinton Avenue East.
  • You can drive eastbound from Eglinton East onto southbound Petman.
  • You can’t turn left from Marmot Street onto westbound Eglinton.
  • You can’t turn left from from westbound Eglinton onto Petman or Marmot.
  • You can’t park on Eglinton within the construction zone.
  • You can access 393 Eglinton Avenue East from Eglinton.

Traffic patterns in the area will continue to change and shift during different stages of work. Traffic cones, concrete barriers or fencing separate all work zones from traffic.

The work continues to block pedestrians from walking along the north side of Eglinton across from Petman Avenue beside 440 Eglinton East. It also blocks the east-side sidewalk on Petman south of Eglinton. A chain-link fence separates pedestrians from the work zone.

For the safety of transit riders, the TTC may relocate bus stops in the affected area will be relocated. Watch signs directing you to the temporary stops.

Most of the work continues between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., seven days a week. In certain situations, the contractors may schedule some late-night or early-morning work to complete the project and keep construction moving.

Expect traffic delays, noise and vibration.


During LRT construction near Petman Avenue, TTC passengers should expect delays for buses operating along these routes:

  • 34 Eglinton East;
  • 51 Leslie;
  • 54 Lawrence East;
  • 56 Leaside;
  • 100 Flemingdon Park;
  • 334 Eglinton East overnight; and
  • 354 Lawrence East overnight.

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