Metrolinx contractors continue building the future Eglinton Crosstown light rail transit line between Mount Dennis and Kennedy.

Crews are working on traction power substation 12,

• at the northeast corner of the intersection of Eglinton Avenue East with Birchmount Road,

near the site of the future Birchmount stop.

Starting “as early as” Friday, August 23, crews:

• relocated and setting up a crane; and
• delivered, lifted and assembled the power-substation building.

A traction power substation (TPSS) is a steel building, similar in size to a shipping container. It provides electrical power to the LRT through the overhead catenary system that powers the trains. The TPSS converts electricity from the local power source to the levels the vehicles need. All TPSS structures are air-conditioned and therefore emit a low humming noise, like a residential air conditioner.

The crews are setting up a work zone that blocks the eastern driveway for the Toronto Police Service 41 Division station and the nearby sidewalk on the north side of Eglinton East.

This phase of construction for TPSS 12 continued “for approximately one (1) week” or until about August 30.

After a community meeting Thursday, January 17, the City of Toronto approved the vacant City property at #117 Brownville Avenue as an access point for construction works on the GO Transit / Union Pearson express rail corridor, just west of the future Mount Dennis Station. Metrolinx says that “Adding this second access point keeps overnight work to a minimum and increases productivity.”

Crews started using #117 Brownville Ave to access the corridor south of Eglinton Avenue West “as early as” Wednesday, August 21. Current ctivities include

• road works;
• grading; and
• installing fencing.

Crews started working the west rail corridor development in June 2019. Construction activities during this phase include:

• building the tunnels for the LRT;
• expanding the bridge that carries the GO / UPX tracks over Eglinton Avenue West; and
• building the platforms for the future GO / UPX station.

Crews work from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. every day and, occasionally, overnight and weekends.

Nearby residents and business people can expect noise from loaders, trucks and other construction equipment, and dust when crews remove debris.

Also expect heavy truck traffic, with trucks entering and exiting the work zone and travelling through nearby streets due to the new haul routes and access points.