1K 
Construction of Metrolinx' 19-kilometre long Crosstown LRT line reached a major milestone yesterday, as tunnel boring machines Dennis and Lea broke through the walls of the Allen Road extraction shaft, marking the completion of the 3.5-kilometre western leg of the transit line's tunnelling phase. The $5.3 billion Crosstown, which started construction in 2011, will run through the heart of Midtown Toronto, greatly improving the transit times along its underground stretch of Eglinton Avenue between Keele Street in the west and Laird Drive in the east.
To commemorate the milestone, Metrolinx has released a video showing the moment that the two tunnel boring machines broke through the concrete walls of the extraction shaft yesterday. The video below also provides some insight into the mechanics of the tunnel boring process, showing a flood of water and sediment pouring through at the moment the wall is penetrated. A foam-like lubricant is continuously pumped as the machines crawl forward, allowing a perfect seal and reducing friction during the tunnelling process.
"The incredible progress we're seeing on this project is the realization of important investments in transit made in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area," said Bruce McCuaig, President and CEO of Metrolinx. "The Eglinton Crosstown LRT is a significant undertaking and it will transform the transit landscape in Toronto when it's complete in 2020."
We will keep our eyes on the construction of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT and be sure to return with updates as work progresses on the new transit line. In the meantime, you can join in the discussion by checking out the associated Forum thread, or by leaving a comment in the space provided at the bottom of this page.
