TORONTO — The Finch West LRT project is helping to build a more sustainable transit system.
In addition to light rail vehicles (LRVs) using electric power, the project’s maintenance and storage facility (MSF) recently received LEED Silver certification, indicates the Metrolinx blog.
The maintenance facility features a green roof which is laid out in a series of rectangles, separated by pathways without plants for maintenance crews to safely walk around the roof.
The planted areas consist of three types of small, drought resistant plants.
A green roof provides many benefits including air purification, reducing urban heat island effects, reduced energy costs and increased urban biodiversity. It also mitigates stormwater runoff by retaining water and gradually releasing it later. The roof has also become a home and nesting area for Eastern Meadowlark and Killdeer birds.
A number of features on both the interior and exterior of Finch West LRT’s maintenance facility helped earn the building’s LEED certification including it was built using recycled and renewable materials as well as certified wood and low emitting materials such as paints, coatings, adhesives, sealants and flooring systems were also used. The facility also features innovative technologies that contribute to water efficiency and reduction.
The building’s exterior features parking area charging stations, bike racks and landscaping including planting of a wide variety of trees like Red and Silver Maples, Red Oak and White Spruce. There’s also Dogwood, Sumac and Arrowwood shrubs.
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