^See
http://www.eglintonwestlrt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Stage-One-Report.pdf
The gas main runs along the south side of Eglinton, but it potentially crosses the plane of the tunnel west of Martin Grove Rd.
The map calls it a ‘vital’ line which I take to mean they can’t just valve it off somewhere and splice in a relocated segment. From where it is above ground out that way, it’s a pretty big pipe.
I’m speculating that the issue is not so much supporting it during construction, but rather not having any underground voids (such as a transit station or tunnel) in proximity where gas might collect should the pipe break or leak. Hence the need for a tunnel to be a fair ways underground to ensure a barrier. Gas is heavier than air, after all.
- Paul
Thanks,
There was some traffic study to improve this area. Essentially, the joining Eglinton happened too close to Martin Grove, resulting in Eglinton cars shooting across to the left to make the turn onto Martin Grove, while the 401 cars where coming right to continue on Eglinton. I recall that a good solution here was to move this intersection to the West side of Mimico Creek, and then there is space to elevate over Mimico Creek and never really cross the gas line. A quick read, I think the east-west gas line in 900mm diameter, and north-south ones 200mm (Royal York) to 300mm (Martin Grove) - I assume these smaller one can be relocated vertically if required.
So it seems it should be (note that the link still had the mid-block stops, so the results were skewed to have the line under the centre of the road, and also done in such a way that the mid-block stops are at-grade);
Jane - Elevated, north side.
Scarlet - Elevated, north side.
Royal York - buried, north side.
Islington - buried, north side.
Kipling - buried, north side (if you're worried about a 1 ha. parcel of woods, you may as well give up building the city).
Martin Grove - buried, north side
Line goes to the south west of Martin Grove and elevates just before Mimico Creek (
EDIT: I show it going under the 427 bridges, but I could imagine a scenario where it flies over them all).
North side means tracks just to the north of Eglinton, but station excavation and EB platform under north lanes of Eglinton. Buried means all track underground, with station and track between built with cut-and-cover (and precast concrete box segments to speed construction).