EllisDon team completes 401/409 tunnel

TORONTO — EllisDon has announced that Toronto Tunnel Partners, consisting of EllisDon and STRABAG, have achieved substantial completion on the Highway 401 and 409 Rail Tunnel project in northwest Toronto.

Part of the Kitchener line for Metrolinx’s GO Expansion program, the project was launched in 2019, stated an Aug. 5 Facebook post. The project will transform the Kitchener line from a rush-hour commuter service to a two-way, all-day rail service.

The contractor constructed twin tunnels less than three metres underneath Highways 401 and 409 with no disruption to the 21 live traffic lanes directly above. The tunnels are 180 metres long.

At substantial completion, approximately 73,500 square metres of debris was excavated, with enough material removed to fill 8,000 dump trucks. Over 12,600 square metres of shotcrete was applied.