The Tunnelling Association of Canada delivers Canadian Project of the Year Awards to teams who have significantly contributed to a project that exhibits engineering excellence and a complex understanding of underground construction.
EXP is proud to be a part of WestEnd Connectors, delivering the award-winning Eglinton Crosstown West Extension Advance Tunnel Project, which won the Canadian Project of the Year Award in the Over $300M CAD category.
The project will bring more rapid transit to Etobicoke and Mississauga. As the design lead on the WestEnd Connectors team, EXP is responsible for project management of the design team and design of structural, geotechnical, hydrogeological, environmental, utilities, infrastructure, civil, roadway and stormwater management elements as well as traffic management elements.
The expansion will include six new stops and two terminals. The tunnel design includes a launch shaft, maintenance shaft, extraction shaft, eight headwalls for four stations, four headwalls for two emergency exit buildings, nine cross passages and Eglinton Avenue W road realignment at Scarlett Portal. To support the new design, updates and services including utility relocations, traffic management plans, temporary access roads, geotechnical reports and monitoring and environmental reporting will also take place. These operations ensure the safety and sustainability of the project and the surrounding area.
The project team demonstrated advanced expertise in underground construction when navigating difficult ground conditions. When the project faced complex geotechnical conditions different from what was anticipated, EXP spearheaded the design and permit acquisition for additional headwalls to facilitate emergency TBM repairs with designs and permits approved in record time.
Due to the project’s complexity, particularly the design of the extraction shaft and associated realignment of Eglinton Avenue W, it is crucial to have a team of experienced, knowledgeable and dedicated transportation experts.
“This project will change the transit landscape, creating a more sustainable way to travel and connect passengers to nearby bus and train lines,” Executive Vice President, Major Projects Reece Bailey said. “Our team of transportation experts knows that access to public transportation is transformational — not just for individual commuters, but for the community and environment. We are honored to receive this award and contribute to projects that shape the future of Canada and beyond.”
Learn more about transportation at EXP.
Images courtesy of CJV.