Crucial work on $1.4-billion Mississauga-Brampton transit route gets done beneath surface
Published September 15, 2022 at 4:20 pm
Project leaders overseeing a $1.4-billion light rail transit (LRT) route that will run from Mississauga to Brampton say much important work is going on behind the scenes–and beneath the road–even though the laying of tracks and eventual introduction of the shiny new electric trains are what grab most of the attention.
“Making sure utilities are working properly is a big part of the puzzle as construction progresses on the Hazel McCallion Line (formerly known as the Hurontario LRT),” officials with Metrolinx, the provincial agency in charge of the massive transit project, said in a news release on Wednesday (Sept. 14).
“Crews are upgrading and relocating utilities like sewers and telecommunications cables as part of the construction of the new transit line. This is essential for widening the roads and making room for the brand-new LRT line.”
The Hazel McCallion Line is an 18-kilometre LRT route that when completed in fall 2024 will take passengers between Port Credit GO station in south Mississauga and Brampton.
There will be 19 stops along the way and if City of Mississauga officials get what they want, a “transit loop” serving people living in highrises in the city’s downtown core will be made part of the project once again.
In addition to the work on utilities, crews have also recently been focusing on completing tasks around two major creeks in Mississauga in an effort to prevent devastating local floods in the future.
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(Photos: Metrolinx)
However, as far as the former is concerned, officials say the work is centered around both “dry utilities,” namely the installation of electric and telecommunications infrastructure, and “wet utilities,” which include sanitary and storm sewers, plus watermains.
“These are all the things that residents depend on to do everything from flush the toilet to watch Netflix and even prevent flooding when it rains,” a Metrolinx spokesperson said in the news release.
One of the areas where much of that work is taking place is between Lakeshore Rd. E. and the QEW in south Mississauga.
That area “…presents unique challenges when performing utility works, as the roadway is much narrower than other parts north along Hurontario St.,” Metrolinx said. “As a result, crews must take extra steps to ensure work is accomplished safely and in a timely manner while minimizing impacts.”
Project officials say the relocation of power lines along Hurontario St. will allow for road widening and sufficient clearances for the overhead catenary system, a system of overhead wires used to supply electricity to a train, streetcar or light rail vehicle.
“One of the many benefits of this work is that a significant amount of wiring and cables are being moved underground, improving the appearance of the local area,” said Abdul Kader Azzam, project manager of dry utilities at Mobilinx, constructor of the LRT route. “This will also help prevent damages and offer protection to power lines from strong winds and other harsh weather conditions.”
Metrolinx adds that the new power lines will serve Mississauga for years to come. They’ll require minimal maintenance and will also be able to withstand potential impacts from climate change.
Visit metrolinx.com for more details about utility work on the LRT route, both in Mississauga and Brampton.
