Bojaxs
Senior Member
The line now really appears to cut a swath through the city. Probably even more so once construction is completed.
Toronto Ontario Line 3 | ?m | ?s | Metrolinx
- Thread starter JasonParis
- Start date
reinventingthewheel
Active Member
Expected around March.
StreetcarRider
New Member
Some considerations for those who care about trees:
- Metrolinx has a decent policy on tree replacement (hopefully they walk the talk)
- The Don Valley has a real problem with invasive weed trees (looking at you, Norway Maple) that are better replaced with native species for sake of the ecosystem, and transit projects like the Ontario Line provide an opportunity and funding to do it
- Some of the targeted trees may already be sick, injured or nearing the end (they are plants after all)
It's not part of the Metrolinx policy, but it is possible to transplant fairly mature trees rather than just little saplings. This expense might be justified in some downtown locations with little space and few mature trees, like Osgoode Hall (which brought a legal challenge over a few trees that were ultimately allowed to be cut down) and maybe also Moss Park.
Monarch Butterfly
Superstar
Once the foundation is done and the "walls" completed, couldn't they start planting now... if the new trees are not in the way of the construction.
Kelson
New Member
For this spicific tree removal section they said they will be planting "between 1-50 trees per tree removed, depending on the removed trees condition and size "
Monarch Butterfly
Superstar
In practice, new trees are planted and then every few years some are cut down to create more growing space, remove unhealthy growth, and create access paths.
A 6264
Active Member
'Scuse me for being a "tree hugger". Here's how the trees were "protected" at Don Mills and Eglinton during line 5 construction.
416InTrouble
Active Member
Let’s hope!
nfitz
Superstar
Anyone who has dealt with Metrolinx's tree replacement work is aware that it's an incompetent joke. They rollout the invasive species argument quick enough - but during regrowth they do nothing to stop invasive species growing naturally.
They don't come close to meeting their own replacement numbers when they remove large trees. The propose putting replacement trees in places that are impossible to put trees (as they don't control the land, etc.). For the Woodbine/Coxwell ravine work the proposed replacement trees were ultimately in .... Rouge Park. Or at least so they say ... they've provided no indication they actually planted them.
There's no watering, and little follow-up. Many of the trees die.
I'm not sure removing 60-year old Norway Maples is a benefit when they have 50 years of life left - invasive or not. The CO2 - oxygen exchange in a small tree is minimal compared to a large tree, and it will take decades to catch up. All the fuss about invasive species like Norway Maples is way overcooked. The trees do excellent in urban environments, with resistance to salt and air quality - this is why they spread so well naturally. If we were really so concerned about invasive species, we'd start with the ones that do real damage - like removing humans.
They don't come close to meeting their own replacement numbers when they remove large trees. The propose putting replacement trees in places that are impossible to put trees (as they don't control the land, etc.). For the Woodbine/Coxwell ravine work the proposed replacement trees were ultimately in .... Rouge Park. Or at least so they say ... they've provided no indication they actually planted them.
There's no watering, and little follow-up. Many of the trees die.
I'm not sure removing 60-year old Norway Maples is a benefit when they have 50 years of life left - invasive or not. The CO2 - oxygen exchange in a small tree is minimal compared to a large tree, and it will take decades to catch up. All the fuss about invasive species like Norway Maples is way overcooked. The trees do excellent in urban environments, with resistance to salt and air quality - this is why they spread so well naturally. If we were really so concerned about invasive species, we'd start with the ones that do real damage - like removing humans.
kotsy
Senior Member
Lake Shore East corridor update:
Dundas bridge girders are expected early February.
Dundas bridge girders are expected early February.
kotsy
Senior Member
Lower Don Crossing is growing again.
Aplus23
Active Member
so what exactly is going on here ?
They are currently building the bridgedeck? is that the correct word? Then I'm guessing the abutments are already made and so the bridge will rest on those. Then they remove the temporary structure?
Westey
New Member
- They are currently building the Structural Steel. This includes the arches, arch bracing and floor system - the stuff painted white. The black steel are temporary supports during construction. If you zoom in, you can see the cables, which appear to be the final ones. This is a network arch, so it has cables on a diagonal, and not a tied arch, which has vertical hanger cables (e.g. Humber River Pedestrian Bridge). The network arch is stiffer and has less deflection, so it's better for railways.
- The white strip down the centre of the bridge appears to be a temporary timber deck supporting the cranes. The white is just snow cover, and the photo from Sunday at 12:45 PM shows it as wood. Actually, to the East (right) of the arch, there is the temporary deck over the temporary supports.
- They decided it's easier to put all the temporary supports in the river and they will construct a half-arch. This will then be pushed Eastward over the DVP to an abutment on the East side - which is likely finished, but I couldn't see it on any photos. Since the bridge is being pushed, or more likely pulled from the East side, they want to keep the weight down so the permanent deck is not cast yet.
- Once it's in this half-arch configuration, it's strong enough to span the DVP on its own. Then they will erect the other half-arch over the Don River (where the current one is, but mirror image of course) and connect the two together.
- They will then cast the concrete deck over-top of the transverse steel beams.
- The West abutment is already cast, but hidden under the temporary decking on the West bank. I sort of highlight the abutment of the existing bridge and the new bridge below.
- Finally, remove the temporary structures.
officedweller
Senior Member
I think the construction is taking place where it is due to space constraints to the west.
Here's a similar push launch of a bridge in Poland:
Here's a similar push launch of a bridge in Poland:
Aplus23
Active Member
well that answers that, thanks