Taking you inside and out – Eglinton Crosstown LRT progress double feature

Metrolinx News continues to bring you the latest construction milestones on the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, thanks to new images that take you behind and over construction barriers. Normally we only bring you a couple of images, but because there’s so much going on – this time we’ve got double the action as we combine two groups of the latest pictures taken of the work. Check it out.

What better way to warm up in the dead of winter, than heading inside to admire some art.

We’re not talking about the Art Gallery of Ontario, but actually an Eglinton Crosstown LRT construction site in Toronto’s east end.

Under the busy city streets at Don Mills Road and Eglinton Avenue East, progress is being made at Science Centre station. In fact, things are so far along that artwork is now being installed – something transit riders will admire for years to come.

At Science Centre station, the artwork ‘Total Lunar Eclipse’ by Sarah Morris has now been completely installed. Art work looks like a bunch of tiles, with circles and colours. — *At Science Centre station, the artwork ‘Total Lunar Eclipse’ by Sarah Morris has now been completely installed.* (Metrolinx photo)

Oakwood station is looking rock solid

Heading further west along the Crosstown LRT route but staying inside – because it’s been around minus 16 C outside.

The work inside Oakwood station is so substantial, it looks like crews are building a stage for the Rolling Stones to perform.

Inside Oakwood Station with big supports setup that will make up the roof, while concrete is poured. — *Concrete pours are happening at Oakwood station that will make up the station roof*. (Metrolinx photo)

Unfortunately for rock and roll fans out there, those aren’t pieces of a concert stage but rather customized formwork being put in place for a major concrete pour. Once this pour is done, the concrete work for the station roof will be complete.

Keeping with the concrete theme – we head over to Mount Pleasant station where construction crews are pouring a lot of it.

Inside the cavern at Mt Pleasant looking down, in the background you can see the portals where trains will pop out of the tunnels. — *At Mount Pleasant station crews poured 950m3 of concrete this week* – that’s a lot. (Metrolinx photo)

This milestone marks the last of the concrete needed for the lowest level of the station and will form the base for the station platform and concourse levels to be built.

Big time construction on the east side

It might be cold outside, but that hasn’t stopped the progress at street level.

Kennedy station is the eastern end of the Crosstown LRT route and will be an important transit hub for the entire community. Transit riders will be able to transfer from an LRT, to a Stouffville Line GO Train, and a TTC Line subway.

Photo of 60 tones of structural steel that was recently finished – which will form the entrance for the GO Transit building at Kennedy station — *The installation of 60 tones of structural steel was recently finished – which will form the entrance for the GO Transit building at Kennedy station*. (Metrolinx photo)

From actual art installations at Science Centre station, to concrete pours at Mount Pleasant and Oakwood – the progress being made on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT is a masterpiece in its own right.

Story by Scott Money, Metrolinx media relations senior advisor