EXP involved in construct of underpass for Hurontario LRT

ENGAGEMENT: EXP, in collaboration with SYSTRA Canada and Egis in Canada, has contributed to Metrolinx's Hazel McCallion Line project (formerly Hurontario LRT) in Ontario. The team employed an innovative "push box" system to construct an underpass at the Hurontario Street and Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) interchange.

PROJECT: This $4.6 billion LRT project will span 18 kilometers and include 19 stops. The underpass is crucial for accommodating the future light rail tracks beneath the existing QEW lanes while maintaining traffic flow.

CHALLENGES: The site's proximity to existing structures, high traffic volumes, and the presence of utilities, including a large water main, presented significant engineering hurdles. The "push box" technique, which involves pushing a prefabricated concrete structure through the soil using high-capacity jacks, was selected to minimize disruption to the active highway and shorten construction duration.

OUTCOME: This method allowed for the installation of the entire underpass structure in under 55 hours, meeting the stringent timeframe set by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. The successful implementation highlights how advanced construction techniques can overcome complex infrastructure challenges and enhance the efficiency of public transit development.