b'PROJECT PROFILETHEFINCH WEST LRTCLEARING THE WAY FOR IMPROVED PUBLIC TRANSIT By Matthew BradfordONE OF THE GTAS LARGESTinitiative led by a consortium made up ofand a more competitive Canada in the public transportation projects isMetrolinx (owner), Infrastructure Ontarioeconomy of tomorrow.making tracks. After two years of heavy(project manager), Mosaic Transport construction, crews are well on their way(DBFM partner), and Aecon ConstructionWork on the new line began in 2019 with to readying the Finch West LRT line for its(construction contractor). It is identifiedthe relocation of oil and gas pipelines anticipated 2023 opening. by the Ministry of Transportation as oneacross the project corridor. In the fall of of five pilot projects that will generatethe same year, crews launched major Once complete, the light rail transit linesignificant community benefits, suchconstruction works, including excavation will run for 11 kilometres along Finchas reduced traffic congestion, reducedand foundation pouring for over 13 Avenue West, serving travellers betweengreenhouse gas emissions and greaterfootings on the maintenance and storage Keele Street and Humber College. It willaccess to reliable public transportation. facility; the development of temporary include 16 surface stops, a below-gradework sites alongside the Highway 400 terminus stop at Humber College, and anThe governments of Canada and Ontariobridge; and road widening along the street underground interchange station at theare working together with municipalitiesto make way for the underground Finch TTCs Finch West Subway Station. Alongto invest in important public transitWest station. Site preparations and line the way, it will integrate with GO, MiWAY,infrastructure projects like the Finch Westconstruction continued throughout 2020, YRT, and Zm transit services. Light Rail Transit Project that will helpalbeit with health and safety restrictions in reduce congestion and get middle-classplace because of the pandemic.The project will also bring transportationCanadians home to their families quicker, additions and improvements alongnoted Bill Morneau, Minister of FinanceTAKING SHAPEthe route. These include a newand Member of Parliament for TorontoFast-forward to 2021 and the project is 10,000-square-foot maintenance andCentre, on behalf of the Honourabletaking shape. According to a June 2021 storage facility for the light rail vehicles,Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructureconstruction update from Metrolinxs Finch and Communities, in an early West LRT Construction Liaison Committee nine traction power substations, new bike2017 statement. (CLC), piling work was completed on the lanes, multi-use paths, and extensivenortheast corner of Keele Street and landscaping throughout the path. CrewsThrough our governments historicFinch Ave West and new piling work has will also be conducting improvements andinvestments in infrastructure, we arebegun in the Finch-Keele intersection that replacements to supporting infrastructurebuilding healthier communities whilewill include excavation and traffic deck like the Highway 400 overpass. strengthening the Canadian economy.installation. Traffic running east and west New urban transit networks and serviceof Keele Street on Finch Avenue West has SETTING A PATH extension projects help better meet thealso been shifted south so crews can begin The Finch West LRT is a $2.5-billionneeds of Canadians by creating jobs todayexcavating the tunnel and portal.26Quarter 22021 BUILDERSDIGEST'