Emergency exit buildings (EEBs) are used to evacuate passengers from tunnels in the event of an emergency at track level during operation. An EEB is being built close to Donlea Drive.
What work is starting?
What: Work will shift to the centre and then the south side of Eglinton near Donlea Drive. This work includes relocating underground utilities and piling work beneath the Eglinton Avenue roadway and in the vicinity. Also, a grout plant will be established on Donlea Drive, to pump cement grout, to help build the headwalls for the future Bayview station.
Why: Headwalls are required to be in place prior to the arrival of tunnel boring machines. The excavation of the stairwell shaft as part of the emergency exit structure will also begin. Construction of the support walls requires utilities to be moved safely out of the way before work begins.
When: Starting as early as late October, crews will occupy the centre lanes of Eglinton Avenue for approximately one month. Following this, starting in November, crews will occupy the south side of Eglinton Avenue for approximately 8-10 months. Also, a jet grout plant will be installed on Donlea Drive at Eglinton for the duration of the Bayview station headwall construction. Donlea Drive will be closed to and from Eglinton until approximately fall 2015. Some work may be rescheduled or adjusted due to weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances.
Where: Lane closures will be in place between just east of Bessborough Drive to just east of Hanna Road for work in the centre lanes and on the south side of Eglinton Avenue for several months. In order to minimize occupancy on Eglinton, the jet grout plant will be located on the roadway at Donlea Drive, just north of Eglinton. Specifically, the jet-grout plant will occupy Donlea Drive from Eglinton, northward – and will not block any driveways. A fence will enclose the site to separate it from the roadway.
Traffic Details
Traffic will be shifted to both the north and south curb lanes and reduced to one lane in each direction from just east of Bessborough Drive to just east of Hanna Road as construction takes place in the centre lanes.
As the construction zone shifts to the south side of Eglinton Avenue, traffic will be shifted to the north lanes from just east of Bessborough Drive to just east of Hanna Road and reduced to one lane in each direction.
To ensure the safety of the community and public in the vicinity of construction zone, Donlea Drive will remain temporarily closed, to and from Eglinton, until jet grout work is completed.
In addition:
- Left turns from Bessborough Drive onto Eglinton Avenue will be prohibited
- Left turns from Eglinton Avenue onto Bessborough Drive will be prohibited
Pedestrians
During construction in the centre lanes, both north and south sidewalks will remain open for pedestrians travelling through our work zone. To ensure the safety of pedestrians in the vicinity of the construction zone, a temporary detour of pedestrian sidewalks on Eglinton Avenue will be required once work on the south side begins. Pedestrians travelling on the south side will be diverted onto a temporary sidewalk adjacent to the north side of Leaside High School and around the construction site. During the occupancy of Donlea Drive by the jet grout plant, sidewalks will remain open for pedestrians. Please take care when travelling near construction areas.
Transit Information
For the safety of transit riders, both eastbound and westbound TTC bus stops in the affected area will be relocated. Watch for additional signs directing pedestrians.
Work Hours
Most of the work will be carried out between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., 7 days a week. In certain situations, some late night and/or early morning works may be required to complete the work and keep construction moving. The contractor will not always work during the extended hours, but may do so at its discretion.
Please Contact Us
If you would like more detail about this work or any other aspect of the Eglinton Crosstown project, please do not hesitate to contact us. We thank you for your continued patience as we work to build you world class rapid transit.
See more at: Emergency Exit Building Construction – Continued Closure of Donlea Drive at Eglinton Avenue East – Phase 2