Metrolinx is carrying out work to expand the north side of the Dufferin Street Bridge at Queen Street which carries the Kitchener GO Transit Corridor. Expanding the bridge will support the ongoing work to bring electrified SmartTrack and GO Regional Express Rail transit service to the West Queen West community. This work will also accommodate the space required for the proposed southward extension of the West Toronto Railpath. Metrolinx expects to complete this project by June 2017.

In order to ensure the safety of the public and construction crews, and to complete the bridge expansion in a timely manner, Dufferin Street will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians from Queen Street West to Peel Avenue from September 12, 2016 to December 31st, 2016. During this closure, traffic will detour via the old "Dufferin Jog" route of Peel, Gladstone and Queen.

During this work, residents and businesses in the area can expect an increase in noise and construction activity. Crews will also need to conduct work in the evening and overnight periods when trains are not operating for safety concerns. Overnight lighting will be focused away from homes when possible and noisier work will be undertaken during the daytime to reduce evening disruptions. This accelerated work schedule aims to mitigate community impacts and reduce the duration of work.

Metrolinx will be hosting a community drop-in session at the Carnaby Condominium at 10 Minowan Miikan Lane (formerly 11 Peel Avenue) on September 29, 2016 from 5pm to 7pm with representatives present to answer your questions about this project. You can read the complete project notice for this project by clicking here.

As this work is carried out, I will keep our community informed of any updates to this work. As this is a Metrolinx project, I encourage you to contact Jennifer Capan, Community Relations and Issues Specialist at Metrolinx for any questions or concerns via telephone at 416-202-4732 or through email at [email protected]

The Dufferin Street Bridge in Toronto has re-opened for vehicular traffic. The bridge, which is south of Springhurst Avenue and goes over the GO Transit/Metrolinx Rail Corridor, has been closed to traffic since last June.

The purpose of the closure was to ensure public safety. The bridge was scheduled for replacement, but as a result of inspections done in 2013, the City made the decision to expedite the closure and install temporary bridges before the construction of a permanent bridge.

The temporary bridges will remain open to traffic until the permanent bridge is completed in 2019.

Expected Project Start Date: November 1, 2013
Expected Completion Date: February, 2014

The City of Toronto will be carrying out bridge demolition and installation of a temporary crossing at Dufferin Street over the Metrolinx/GO Transit Rail Corridor, south of Springhurst Ave. The temporary crossing will provide access for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. The construction of a new permanent bridge is currently planned for 2016.

The bridge is currently closed to vehicular traffic due to safety issues and will remain closed for the duration of the project. Pedestrians and cyclists will continue to have access to the bridge until further notice.

This work will take place near Dufferin Street, south of Springhurst Avenue.

Your co-operation and patience during the construction period is appreciated.

Construction Details

The project will involve the following:

• The demolition of the existing bridge superstructure;
• Reinforcement of the existing bridge abutments;
• Construction of new foundations for the modular bridges;
• The installation of three (3) temporary modular bridges – one (1) for northbound traffic, one (1) for southbound traffic, and one (1) for pedestrians;
• Modifications to the lighting on the bridges;
• The reconstruction of the bridge approaches;

City pavement tests have identified that asbestos is present in the asphalt on the Dufferin Street Bridge over the Metrolinx/GO Transit Rail Corridor.

Asbestos was used in asphalt mixes throughout the 1970s and early 1980s because it significantly improved the performance of the asphalt. Recent testing and air quality monitoring have confirmed that asbestos used in asphalt mix is bonded very tight, does not become separated during the asphalt removal operation, or become airborne to pose any harm to the health of those who are exposed. The City does require the contractor to follow the procedures established by the Ministry of Labour through the Occupational Health and Safety Act:

• Wetting down the pavement surface during asphalt cutting, grinding or removal and attaching dust collecting devices with HEPA filters to equipment , where possible, to minimize dust from becoming airborne;
• Workers are no longer required to use personal protective equipment such as disposable coveralls and respirators; however, the choice will be theirs as to whether they wear the equipment on site;
• Asbestos contained asphalt will be disposed at Ministry of the Environment approved disposal sites and transported accordingly.

All work will be completed within City property limits.

You will be notified if there are any significant changes to the construction schedule or work to be undertaken.

Work Hours
Work will typically take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday to Friday, with work after hours and on weekends as required.

Disruptions
As with all construction projects, there will be noise and temporary inconveniences. In order to complete the work effectively and in a safe manner, some pedestrian and traffic restrictions will be necessary. These include continued closure of the bridge to vehicles for the duration of the project. Pedestrians will continue to have access to the bridge during the construction period. However, there may be certain operations that require the bridge to be closed to pedestrians. Advance notice of these closures will be provided.

Traffic Restrictions
Vehicular traffic will continue to be required to detour around the closure. Signage advising of the closure of the Dufferin Street Bridge has been placed on the street network to allow motorists to choose alternate routes. During periods where the bridge is closed to pedestrians and cyclists, signage advising of the pedestrian/cyclist detour will be placed on the street network.

For More Information

Please contact me if you require further information about this project.

Closure Date: June 12, 2013 Opening of temporary bridge: To be determined

Effective June 12, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. the City of Toronto will be closing the Dufferin Street Bridge over the GO Transit/Metrolinx Rail Corridor, south of Springhurst Ave. The bridge will be closed to all vehicular traffic. While the existing structure has been found to be unsafe for vehicular traffic, it is safe for pedestrians and cyclists, who will continue to have access to the bridge until further notice. The existing bridge will be demolished and a temporary bridge providing access for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists will replace it as soon as possible. A new permanent bridge will be constructed, beginning in 2016. A further update will be provided as soon as more information on the timing of the installation of the temporary crossing is available.