[Monarch Butterfly]

Its weird to me that they aren't working on the above ground portion at the same time as the below ground portion, but hey, I guess thats government for ya.

Guess you missed this earlier video from 2012. From this link. They excavate and pour station box walls before the TBM arrives, which dig through the station box walls after the concrete sets. Concrete is softest after they are freshly set, but gets harder with age.

It's standard practice using Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs).

 

[howl]

The yellow pin isn't moving.....only one of the two west TBM's are making headway.

- Paul

The two machines can't operate too close to each other. One has to go first and the other follows along a few 100m behind.

 

[Palma]

Look, yes, it's fun to throw around accusations of government mismanagement, but I'd love to see the copy of the construction schedule that you have that says that the tunnel portion will be ready to go sooner!

WEll if they would start construction of the stations now while the TBM continue along their way, perhaps the opening would be sooner. But, if you do not start building the stations till 2017, well obviously the 2021 date or more likely later date. When has government ever levied severe penalties for delays in anything they do.

 

[nfitz]

Its weird to me that they aren't working on the above ground portion at the same time as the below ground portion, but hey, I guess thats government for ya.

They will be. They just awarded the contract for all the stations, trackwork, etc. including the above ground portion. All they've done to date is the tunnel with no equipment, because of the extra lead time required for that.

The above ground should be straight forward. Keep in mind that Finch LRT has the same due date, and they haven't even issued the RFP yet - at least a year away from awarding. Above ground doesn't take as long.

 

[sixrings]

Guess you missed this earlier video from 2012. From this link. They excavate and pour station box walls before the TBM arrives, which dig through the station box walls after the concrete sets. Concrete is softest after they are freshly set, but gets harder with age.

It's standard practice using Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs).

I did not. Thanks

 

[TheTigerMaster]

Very exciting! The size of the launch shaft is enormous. I'd love to be able to walk through that and the freshly bored tunnels.

A few weeks ago I was at the Mt. Dennis launch shaft at early morning (2 am about). It's really awesome to see some tangible progress in person. Perhaps if I were more mischievous I would've descended into the shaft to take a tour (the work site was empty as far as I could see). From the surface the tunnel diameter looked huge.

Hopefully next time there's media tours of the tunnels they'll invite a few member of the public. I'd love to talk a walk down there.

 

[salsa]

A few weeks ago I was at the Mt. Dennis launch shaft at early morning (2 am about). It's really awesome to see some tangible progress in person. Perhaps if I were more mischievous I would've descended into the shaft to take a tour (the work site was empty as far as I could see). From the surface the tunnel diameter looked huge.

Hopefully next time there's media tours of the tunnels they'll invite a few member of the public. I'd love to talk a walk down there.

When I was an engineering student at U of T, my class was fortunate enough to go on a construction tour of the Spadina subway.

Pics: http://urbantoronto.ca/forum/thread...ension-construction.4883/page-231#post-780288



Prior to that I also had a site tour of Ice Condos. In fact the reason I joined UT is so that I could share those pictures to you guys. I never thought I'd have over 3,000 posts by now.

Pics: http://urbantoronto.ca/forum/thread...-lanterra-57-67s-aa.5951/page-230#post-768827

 

[Towered]

Story about current status & opening date delay:
http://www.insidetoronto.com/news-s...lrt-opening-pushed-back-to-2021-by-metrolinx/

LOL!!! Now who didn't see that coming?

 

[nfitz]

LOL!!! Now who didn't see that coming?

I didn't. Given how much tendering had slipped since they first announced the 2020 date back in May 2010, I thought it would be at least 2022 and likely 2023.

Recall that in May 2010 they wanted to start building the stations in 2012. Now they are talking about 2016.

I can't see how anyone wouldn't be impressed at Metrolinx for changing the opening date so little.

Of course the same May 2010 announcement put the Sheppard East LRT opening date at mid-2014 and Finch by 2019. But those delays have already been announced.

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

Must be a shortage of experienced tradespeople. Hint to those unemployed, learn a trade that evolves using your hands. Both men and women. They can't speed up construction if there isn't the skilled people around to do it.

 

[ksun]

LOL!!! Now who didn't see that coming?

This is something that has 99.5% chance to happen, and there is 99.5% chance it will be further delayed. Did anyone actually expect to take this LRT in 2020?
I predict 2023.
What is sadder? We all consider it absolutely normal and no one is even slighted angry or anything.

I can't see how anyone wouldn't be impressed at Metrolinx for changing the opening date so little.

Like usual, you are always positive and upbeat about anything happening in Toronto, including delays.

 

[Tuscani01]

Well, there goes the ability to show this off as a successful P3 project.

 

[nfitz]

Well, there goes the ability to show this off as a successful P3 project.

In what way? Four years of delay to get to construction, but only 5 years from start of station construction to opening instead of eight? Surely this IS the way a P3 shines. Yes, there are other issues ... but now we've got to the financial close, then it's all hands on deck.

 

[Tuscani01]

In what way? Four years of delay to get to construction, but only 5 years from start of station construction to opening instead of eight? Surely this IS the way a P3 shines. Yes, there are other issues ... but now we've got to the financial close, then it's all hands on deck.

One of the big selling points of going the P3 route is the ability to deliver projects within budget, and on time. The on-time benefit is now out the window. I wouldn't be surprised if the budget is also increased as a result of the schedule change.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

One of the big selling points of going the P3 route is the ability to deliver projects within budget, and on time. The on-time benefit is now out the window. I wouldn't be surprised if the budget is also increased as a result of the schedule change.

I wouldn't blame P3 necessarily - this probably a case of taking too much time to sign the contract than actual delays in construction. Frankly, the way the project was procured is kind of a head scratcher - you start building the tunnel without even having the station coming close to being designed, and then go out there and look for a private consortium to do the DBM. The whole thing was dragged out beyond recognition.

AoD