Metrolinx studies elevating eastern portion of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT
Metrolinx has began studying using elevated structures on on the Eglinton LRT east of Leslie
By: Tess Winsa News reporter, Published on Mon Mar 31 2014
Riders on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT my soon be riding above ground on an elevated structure east of Leslie. Metrolinx has began studying an elevated alignment for the eastern portion of the transit line.
“An elevated alignment could allow increased capacity on the line while being cheaper to construct than an underground tunnel,†said Metrolinx spokesperson Jamie Robinson. “Eglinton Crosstown riders could enjoy a beautiful view of the Golden Mile in Scarborough while gliding above traffic signals.â€
The elevated alignment would cost an extra $1 billion over the current at-grade alignment but would increase capacity to 20,000 people per peak hour direction.
Two machines have been drilling since last June east from Black Creek Dr. to the Allen Expressway, where they will be extracted and then put back in the ground on the other side so they can finish tunneling the 6.25-kilometre leg of the LRT west of Yonge St. Parts for the next two tunnel-boring machines to work on digging underground parts of the line — nicknamed Don and Humber — will arrive this summer and be assembled in the eastern shaft, before they start drilling the 3.25-kilometre section west to Yonge St.
"Why not put the trains underground?" asked Anne Smith of the Golden Mile Resident's Association in reaction to the news. "Our association has concerns about noise and the elevated structures blocking sunlight and taking road space from our residents. Scarborough deserves subways and these trains should be put underground where they won't disrupt traffic."
Johnny Au of York was not happy: "As candidate for the TBM tracker job at Metrolinx I oppose all non-tunnelled transit. Let's spend the extra $1 billion to put the trains underground."
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/201...nton_crosstown_lrt_get_ready_for_traffic.html