[JJTheJetPln]

I haven't follow the line most of this year so far and my sources are quitted at this time, especially around the removal of BOT and who has replace them. The 401 overpass is well over a year late and one of the big hold ups along with the crossovers as well the section of tracks south of Courtneypark to have all the tracks in place to Eglinton last June. One month is all that is needed to deal with the 401 overpass on the worse side.

If I remember correctly right, various places from Topflight to Eglington that has track in place has seen rail cut and removed and haven't look to see if it been replaced for the reason it was removed in the first place.

Have no idea how many LRV's are at OMSF other than the one to even look at burn in or testing. Then not all OS poles are up at Topflight to support the OS, let alone being strung strung from the OMSF to Courtneypark, las well to Matheson or Eglinton. Then no OS poles up from Trader to Eglinton and it will not take that long to place them.

March 9
Dundas corners are 50% complete

Wait... You mean to tell me BOT lost the contract? That's absolutely nuts. It's going to be a tough year ahead if that's the case.

 

[drum118]

Wait... You mean to tell me BOT lost the contract? That's absolutely nuts. It's going to be a tough year ahead if that's the case.

Why will it be a tough year with BOT gone and someone has replace them??

BOT was late on a lot of things as well ripping out areas and rebuilding them along with other issues that require them to be removed from the project just like other construction projects.

I should note backfilling was taking place to filling in the area between the guideway Curb and the existing road so it can be pave and allow traffic to return to 2 lanes in both direction from John to Dundas.

Once the south east corner is rebuilt at Dundas, the current detour will be history and should happen later this month.

 

[JJTheJetPln]

Why will it be a tough year with BOT gone and someone has replace them??

BOT was late on a lot of things as well ripping out areas and rebuilding them along with other issues that require them to be removed from the project just like other construction projects.

I should note backfilling was taking place to filling in the area between the guideway Curb and the existing road so it can be pave and allow traffic to return to 2 lanes in both direction from John to Dundas.

Once the south east corner is rebuilt at Dundas, the current detour will be history and should happen later this month.

I say tough year as someone who has previously worked in construction. You never want the initial company to quit or be let go from the contract because it'll cause significant confusion since every company has their way of doing things.

If BOT is out and someone else is in, they have to go through all the mistakes that ML brought up to the consortium, and the new company may have to go through all the work BOT did so they understand the logic that was used. If they find something they don't like, either ML, the consortium, or the new company themselves will need the money to foot the repairs, replacements, and so on.

I know ML had a laundry list of things that need to be replaced or redone, so I'm going to be curious to see just how much work the new company will be capable of doing. Do you have any clues on who it may be? Are they still negotiating?

 

[Toffy]

I am quite certain I have seen BOT crews working on the project in the last week, so that would be surprising. I am also skeptical to say the least.

Even if this is true it would be worth taking note that BOT is the smallest stakeholder of the construction team at Mobilinx and is predominantly responsible for structural work and ancillary road works. For reference Amico Infrastructure has 3 times BOT's stake and is performing much of the heavy civil works along the corridor. Never mind the fact that there are 3 other international partners who represent the lion's share of the stake in the construction arm of this consortium.

S&P put out a research report back in 2019 about Mobilinx that provided a good deal of information about the consortium and the project. You can read it here.

 

[TOtramz]

Is this project particularly difficult or different compared to the Finch West LRT. They seem to be similar in that they are both mostly at grade with a couple of grade separated stations.

Would you guys say that this LRT is going badly off track or is it more or less progressing well?

 

[JJTheJetPln]

I am quite certain I have seen BOT crews working on the project in the last week, so that would be surprising. I am also skeptical to say the least.

Even if this is true it would be worth taking note that BOT is the smallest stakeholder of the construction team at Mobilinx and is predominantly responsible for structural work and ancillary road works. For reference Amico Infrastructure has 3 times BOT's stake and is performing much of the heavy civil works along the corridor. Never mind the fact that there are 3 other international partners who represent the lion's share of the stake in the construction arm of this consortium.

S&P put out a research report back in 2019 about Mobilinx that provided a good deal of information about the consortium and the project. You can read it here.

Thank you for this. Clearly I didn't know there were more stakeholders to this project than I had initially anticipated. In any case, it's my belief that it can still set the project back some with the incoming company having to go over the work that was completed, and has yet to be completed - especially if they're going to have to answer to ML regarding changes / revisions to things BOT has done or had yet to do.

I've seen similar BOT crews working this week and was wondering if they were told to just patch up the remainder of work up to a certain time and then hand it off to the next company. Sounds like BOT is going to have to do walkthroughs with the new company, or is already in the process of doing them right now and we just don't know because we're outside looking in.

Is this project particularly difficult or different compared to the Finch West LRT. They seem to be similar in that they are both mostly at grade with a couple of grade separated stations.

Would you guys say that this LRT is going badly off track or is it more or less progressing well?

I would say it shouldn't be a difficult project, but it's coming across as one because while the work is progressing, ML is coming in and telling the contractors that some stuff is out of spec. It's causing delays because they have to rip and replace things. Combine that with the project potentially running out of money, and a company being replaced which burns even more money, and you've got a recipe for disaster.

There's still a significant amount of work that needs to be done in Brampton, the 403 / Near MCC / Port Credit. The 403 connection onto Hurontario and so on. There's a lot that still needs to be done. I remain hopeful that they can make significant progress this year, and that the remaining hardware and roadwork can be completed for a late 2026 launch.

 

[TOtramz]

I would say it shouldn't be a difficult project, but it's coming across as one because while the work is progressing, ML is coming in and telling the contractors that some stuff is out of spec. It's causing delays because they have to rip and replace things. Combine that with the project potentially running out of money, and a company being replaced which burns even more money, and you've got a recipe for disaster.

There's still a significant amount of work that needs to be done in Brampton, the 403 / Near MCC / Port Credit. The 403 connection onto Hurontario and so on. There's a lot that still needs to be done. I remain hopeful that they can make significant progress this year, and that the remaining hardware and roadwork can be completed for a late 2026 launch.

what's causing the project to potentially run out of money?
I hope this doesn't become a huge legal battle because of all the modifications MX is asking the contractor to do.

 

[JJTheJetPln]

what's causing the project to potentially run out of money?
I hope this doesn't become a huge legal battle because of all the modifications MX is asking the contractor to do.

https://globalnews.ca/news/10810909/hurontario-lrt-credit-rating-construction-delays/ - I believe this was the article I came across regarding the delays and cost overruns.

IIRC - It was due to Mobilinx Hurontario (The consortium building the line) failing to return equipment, pay rental fees, and settle $2.7M with one of the companies involved.

Aside from that, they need to procure special track from Hitachi I believe... Mobilinx saw that some of the track was out of spec and needs to be replaced which sets the crews back a significant time. There were also requests that basically required them to reprocure the same track twice because of design changes.

Combine all of this together, and you'll get the idea that something's definitely afoot.

 

[Toffy]

https://globalnews.ca/news/10810909/hurontario-lrt-credit-rating-construction-delays/ - I believe this was the article I came across regarding the delays and cost overruns.

IIRC - It was due to Mobilinx Hurontario (The consortium building the line) failing to return equipment, pay rental fees, and settle $2.7B with one of the companies involved.

Aside from that, they need to procure special track from Hitachi I believe... Mobilinx saw that some of the track was out of spec and needs to be replaced which sets the crews back a significant time. There were also requests that basically required them to reprocure the same track twice because of design changes.

Combine all of this together, and you'll get the idea that something's definitely afoot.

I'm sure it was a typo, but as the article states the money owed to the subcontractor was $2.7 million, not billion.

As far as this rumour goes about BOT being removed from the project, on my way into work this morning I decided to go up Hurontario to see how things are coming along. I tend to avoid Hurontario, not because of traffic, but because the road itself is in an absolutely brutal condition. Anyways equipment, pick-up trucks, vans and crews from BOT Construction were out working at a couple sites along the line and including the 403 crossing.

 

[drum118]

March 11
Took a walk down to Metrolinx Community Office today to get some info and shot the corridor, something I haven't done this year. Some of the info I wanted from ML could not be obtain as not in their scope knowledge which I expected before going there. We had a good talk on thing and taken back on a few things noted below. They had no knowledge about BOT at all as they only deal with Mobilinx directly. What takes place within Mobilinx is a Mobilinx Issues.

Contrary to @ZEBuilder posting for testing that is only to Courtneypark, ML still has it to happen to Eglinton this year since there only a few LRV's in OMSF now. Still time to get the missing tracks and OS poles up before the stringing of the line. If there is a change, Mobilinx hasn't past the info on to ML yet who may say no to the change.

As it stands today and someone high up the ladder needs to jump on this now, The Steeles Station will remain on the southside regardless of the Brampton Extension that is ago to move it to the north side this year.

At the same time, both extension are to be tender that Mobilinx may not bid on it or even get them. Then what happens to the 30 year life plan if the the 2 extensions are open years after the line is open with one to two different builders are looking after those extensions??

The wye for Burnhamthorpe will not happen until there is a new plan and revise EA for the loop that needs to happen first. Unless ML plans on using GO Buses after the line opens to put in the wye, miWay has no buses to fill the lack of LRV's as they are to be assign to other routes that need beefing up now and more so by 2027. Traffic will be a mess rebuilding Burnhamthorpe intersection that you will almost have to double the amount of current buses or more to deal with the gridlock traffic. Lack of miWay buses is do to the city not building the 3rd garage and getting more than 500 buses that they have today.

Amico has replaced BOT doing the guideway and BOT been down graded to other areas for reasons noted above since Amico is larger than BOT from word on the street.

The missing guideway curb south of Central Parkway is now poured and it wasn't there Sunday. Grading was was taking place with the next step to pour the base of the guideway from CP to the bridge.

The area between John St to the CP bridge being dug up for the guideway and the Cooksville Station.

All the ductwork is gone that was store under the bridge with it being installed south of Hillcrest. If the trackwork north of Eglinton is to be the same at TLK area, a major issue with students crossing the guideway while the line is in service.

More phots up on my site

 

[JJTheJetPln]

At the same time, both extension are to be tender that Mobilinx may not bid on it or even get them. Then what happens to the 30 year life plan if the the 2 extensions are open years after the line is open with one to two different builders are looking after those extensions??

Easily explained. Mobilinx maintains what they built under the terms they agreed on, and the second contractor maintains the sections of the rail that they built under the terms of the new contract for whichever extension. It just means that they have two different contractors maintaining warranty on two different phases, it's not unheard of, but is uncommon.

In cases like this with the loop and the extension into Brampton, Mobilinx and the new contractor (if there will be a new contractor building the second phase) will only oversee things as it relates to what they've done. What this means is that if the loop is intended to be connected to what Mobilinx lays down, it means that Mobilinx needs to create a fork and make it available for the new contractor to connect to. Same deal with the Brampton extension. Mobilinx will need to make a fork in the road, more than likely carrying it from the southbound section to the northbound section, and have the new contractor continue after that.

If they don't do that, then it means that the contractor better know what they're doing if they touch the work that Mobilinx does. Any damages that either Mobilinx or the second contractor does, they'd have to foot the bill for repairs and parts.

 

[drum118]

Mar 15
Burnhamthorpe station platform still not pour and look it still need some work on it before it can happen. All protected material has been remover it.

Still a large amount of work on the elevated guideway with retraining walls still to be built as well the base where the rail sit on. Amico was moving a lot of equipment around with most of it being remove from the elevated area. BOT trailers are still there with Amico trailer at the 403 bridge and hard to say who is doing what for the elevated area as well the wye area.

The have dug the base un 3 sections so far to support the ramp to Hurontario on the north side The base slab is no less than 4 feet thick with rebar on top of it to support the new retraining wall. 2 more section to to be form before pouring the concrete base. Do know if they gave up on using the Styrofoam blocks or will be used them near the connection to Hurontario south of the 403 off ramp.

Scissors lifts being removed from Rathburn ramp area and being place in the centre of the 403.

The last time I looked at the Rathburn ramp some weeks ago, still the same as last year. Today, the ramp has been backfill and ready for ductwork since it is stock pile for the ramp and the guideway still to be build to the station and the placement of the OS poles foundations.

Lot more photos up on my site

 

[JJTheJetPln]

Mar 15
Burnhamthorpe station platform still not pour and look it still need some work on it before it can happen. All protected material has been remover it.

Still a large amount of work on the elevated guideway with retraining walls still to be built as well the base where the rail sit on. Amico was moving a lot of equipment around with most of it being remove from the elevated area. BOT trailers are still there with Amico trailer at the 403 bridge and hard to say who is doing what for the elevated area as well the wye area.

The have dug the base un 3 sections so far to support the ramp to Hurontario on the north side The base slab is no less than 4 feet thick with rebar on top of it to support the new retraining wall. 2 more section to to be form before pouring the concrete base. Do know if they gave up on using the Styrofoam blocks or will be used them near the connection to Hurontario south of the 403 off ramp.

Scissors lifts being removed from Rathburn ramp area and being place in the centre of the 403.

The last time I looked at the Rathburn ramp some weeks ago, still the same as last year. Today, the ramp has been backfill and ready for ductwork since it is stock pile for the ramp and the guideway still to be build to the station and the placement of the OS poles foundations.

Lot more photos up on my site

Based on the photos overlooking the 403, I have to wonder if they're going to be able to finish the works of getting everything onto Hurontario.

I have a question though, what is that entire area around the 403/Hurontario supposed to look like? Could you or someone provide an image? Everything I have seems to be from so long ago that it's all changed from my understanding.

 

[drum118]

Based on the photos overlooking the 403, I have to wonder if they're going to be able to finish the works of getting everything onto Hurontario.

I have a question though, what is that entire area around the 403/Hurontario supposed to look like? Could you or someone provide an image? Everything I have seems to be from so long ago that it's all changed from my understanding.

The only thing that has change for the area is the removal of the 403 off ramp to the future North Service Rd west of Hurontario as well the connection from Hurontario. The way the guideway is being built, no provision for that proposed North Service Rd now.

The one big change to the area will be the removal of the BDC office and plaza complex that will be replace by a 70 and 67 story mixed towers.

Hydro One just upgraded the wires on the towers in the corridor.

One thing I am not sure of at this time, is the guideway ramp base concrete or a combination of concrete to support the walls with Styrofoam blocks that have been sitting there close to 2 years.

Development wise, what there will remain unless the owners are willing to sell their buildings that will be replace by taller towers. Kingsbridge Plaza to to be redeveloped along with the vacant land as well the whole plaza on the east side in phases.

The land is there for adding a lane to the 403 at some future date.

Don't know where the study stands for tunneling the Transitway under Hurontario that was supposed to happen on day one as will taking it west to Duke of York along with a new Transit Hub.

I wonder if the proposed elevated of the whole line noted in my 2003 report would have been cheaper to build as well in service today than where we are today? Hurontario would still be a 6 lane road in place of the current 4 now.

 

[SaugeenJunction]

Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Provincial Minister of Transportation in Brampton tomorrow for an announcement.

Media Advisory: Infrastructure Announcement in Brampton​