[goodcitywhenfinished]

Im under the impression that any massive issues would have been leaked to the media by now. Even Canada's spy agency can't keep people from going to the press. Do we really think Metrolinx has better opsec than CSIS? The reddit thread sounds like the usual job site gossip which happens on every site I have ever been on.

Trades hear something and talk among themselves and to other trades and it turns into a big game of telephone. The original issue at hand is lost in translation, and becomes something much more dramatic.

 

[picard102]

Im under the impression that any massive issues would have been leaked to the media by now.

If there isn't a massive issue, then the government obstructing FOI requests are a bit odd.

 

[nfitz]

I was a bit surprised crossing it at Victoria Park the other day, and seeing them use on of those bars to measure the distance between the closest westbound and eastbound tracks.

No one would care that it is too wide. Does that mean they are concerned it's too narrow!

 

[hawc]

I heard the monoslab at Eglinton is cracked and would require the entire station box be excavated to re-pour it.

 

[generalcanada]

me reading this thread with theese rumors

 

[Bojaxs]

me reading this thread with theese rumors

Metrolinx should squash the rumours and provide an update.

 

[Sandpit]

This is really Toronto's version of the Berlin airport. Sitting basically complete for years but unable to open due to various issues. They ended up opening 9 years late.

 

[Steve X]

I guess they are still pointing fingers. ML gave bad specs (cause they never built a subway before) vs Crosslinx (who is hired cause they are suppose to be the experts follow ML's bad specs). Now no one wants to talk about it.

Maybe the line will never open and all they are doing are stall tactics till the next election.

 

[smallspy]

I definitely want to hear from @smallspy on this.

What's that line that my buddies in the media say? "If you don't hear a good rumour by noon, start one."?

That seems applicable here.

Dan

 

[Admiral Beez]

Maybe the line will never open and all they are doing are stall tactics till the next election.

Like Cinicinatti's tunnel to nowhere.

https://www.projectmanagement.com/blog-post/71217/literally-sunk-costs---part-1-of-2--tunnels-to-nowhere

Or, if your premise is correct, Queen's Park may decide that the Crosstown is too big to fail and infinite funds will be allocated to get it running. As such the Crosstown will be province's greatest example of sunk cost fallacy. The ultimate gravy train.

How Sunk Cost Fallacy Influences Our Decisions [2025] • Asana

The sunk cost fallacy is a common decision-making pitfall in both life and business. Learn how to combat this thinking trap and make better decisions.

asana.com

 

[BMO]

I would definitely take these rumors with a grain of salt. The first one, that undersized rails were installed, is egregious if true.

Would be egregious, but not surprising that a mistake like this could occur. Big complex project, and in my experience working on this project way back at the onset (no longer thankfully) there was a lot of learning that had to occur within Metrolinx since this was one of the first major provincial projects in a while managed by them. Spadina was heavily influenced by TTC and had an existing spec to work off. My perspective of Metrolinx staff at the time was well educated but limited actual experience having managed/delivered these projects and many MX managers were just trying to keep up with all the contractor comments and a million coordination meetings.

Big infrastructure is hard, and considering our entire country essentially slept on this specific type of infrastructure (rapid transit) for decades, we are now experiencing the consequences of that knowledge gap, both financially, and through these mistakes. Going forward, I'm sure this heartache will lead to better project delivery on new lines, which I think we're already seeing with Finch LRT and Ontario Line. But if we want to get the best return on investment, we have to continuously invest in this infrastructure so our skills can continue to be improved and investments in delivery innovation can be developed. Unfortunately, you can't just buy a new subway line "off-the-shelf" from Asia, because the legal, and regulatory environments in all geographies continuously change.

 

[T3G]

Not buying into the idea that a knowledge gap is to blame for this result. The TTC built the Spadina subway, Cherry Street tram line, and did countless rail replacement projects in the years surrounding the Crosstown's construction. The Spadina subway was delayed, but it was nowhere close to being as big of a cock up as the Crosstown was.

Is the lesson here that we should have had the TTC build it? Better the devil you know. I have not at any rate come away impressed by P3s or their necessity.

 

[Bojaxs]

Maybe the line will never open and all they are doing are stall tactics till the next election.

Considering the amount of work they're doing on the western extension, that would be a very concerning scenario. This project would go down as one of the biggest waste of tax payer dollars in Canadian history.

Can we just "re-do" this line? Rip everything apart and go back to the original plan and build a subway?

 

[Bojaxs]

Would be egregious, but not surprising that a mistake like this could occur. Big complex project, and in my experience working on this project way back at the onset (no longer thankfully) there was a lot of learning that had to occur within Metrolinx since this was one of the first major provincial projects in a while managed by them. Spadina was heavily influenced by TTC and had an existing spec to work off. My perspective of Metrolinx staff at the time was well educated but limited actual experience having managed/delivered these projects and many MX managers were just trying to keep up with all the contractor comments and a million coordination meetings.

Big infrastructure is hard, and considering our entire country essentially slept on this specific type of infrastructure (rapid transit) for decades, we are now experiencing the consequences of that knowledge gap, both financially, and through these mistakes. Going forward, I'm sure this heartache will lead to better project delivery on new lines, which I think we're already seeing with Finch LRT and Ontario Line. But if we want to get the best return on investment, we have to continuously invest in this infrastructure so our skills can continue to be improved and investments in delivery innovation can be developed. Unfortunately, you can't just buy a new subway line "off-the-shelf" from Asia, because the legal, and regulatory environments in all geographies continuously change.

Is it possible that MX is suffering from the effects of nepotism? Too many people in upper management, with no construction, rail or engineering experience, but were promised high paying/ low effort jobs for political favours?

 

[Admiral Beez]

Is it possible that MX is suffering from the effects of nepotism?

https://www.glassdoor.ca/Reviews/Employee-Review-Metrolinx-RVW24444455.htm

It's enough of an issue that they needed to post a policy about it.

https://www.oico.on.ca/web/default/files/metrolinx_coi_policy_en.pdf

(j) An employee shall not, on behalf of Metrolinx, hire their family member or friend. Additionalrequirements are in the Metrolinx Nepotism Policy.(k) An employee shall not, on behalf of Metrolinx, enter into a contract with their family memberor friend, or with any person or entity in which any of them has a substantial interest.(l) An employee who hires a person on behalf of Metrolinx shall ensure that the person doesnot report to, or supervise the work of, the person’s family member or friend. Additionalrequirements are in the Metrolinx Nepotism Policy.(m) An employee who reports to, or supervises the work of, their family member or friend, shallnotify Human Resources. Additional requirements are in the Metrolinx Nepotism Policy.