No Track Closures, No Problem: How EllisDon Delivered a Tunnel Under Live Rail

📅 4 months ago 🏷️ EllisDon

News Summary At Long Branch GO Station, EllisDon tackled a unique construction challenge by installing a new tunnel under live rail lines without prolonged service interruptions. Faced with an active rail corridor, shale bedrock immediately beneath the tracks, and restricted access, the project deviated from the typical approach of weekend track closures and precast tunnelling installation. Instead, the company employed a temporary bridge system—the Petrucco Verona—and a cast-and-push method to deploy a permanent, watertight tunnel. Modular steel bridges, supported by 36 micropiles, were swiftly installed during two brief closures, enabling safe excavation beneath three active tracks. EllisDon managed the removal of 5,400 m³ of material, repurposing roughly half of the excavated shale and rock. Environmental protection measures, including constant monitoring for noise, vibration, and dust, were implemented in a nearby busy parking lot adjacent to residential areas. Construction Manager Ricardo Pina remarked, "Constructing this tunnel beneath active rail using an innovative methodology is a true reflection of our team’s forward-thinking approach, dedication, collaboration." Industry Context This project underscores a growing trend in the Canadian infrastructure sector where innovative construction techniques are deployed to sustain service continuity and minimize community disruption. In urban transit projects, ensuring uninterrupted rail service while maintaining rigorous safety and environmental standards is increasingly critical. EllisDon’s approach reflects broader market shifts towards engineering solutions that reconcile operational demands with accelerated construction timelines, a key consideration amid expanding commuter and urban infrastructure needs in Canada.

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