GO Transit: Construction Projects (Metrolinx, various)

[WB62]

Yes, that looks like the start of construction for the second platform. If so, good to see.

I believe the bridge over Sheppard needs to be widened to accommodate the second platform? That may take a while to get done.

- Paul

The pillar for that was added a year or so ago:

What a colossal waste of money... we pay tens of millions for a platform we never used and pay millions more for it to be torn up and maybe rebuilt... typical ML fail

Really? It was a 25 metre long (less than 1 car length) future proofed section of platform that also acted as an entrance to the west building.

Turns out what they planned 10 years ago is different than what’s required now, so it had to be removed.

 

[T3G]

The claim that it would cost millions to pull up a slab of concrete and some rails also strikes me as being highly suspect...

 

[WB62]

The claim that it would cost millions to pull up a slab of concrete and some rails also strikes me as being highly suspect...

No rails either, literally just a walkway:

 

[HuskyJet]

No rails either, literally just a walkway:

View attachment 667102

Actually now that I see this pic, the extent of the site preparation is pretty good. From what I remember, they've removed the grass/topsoil and prepared essentially the whole length of the new platform, north and south of the station building (minus the bridged section):

 

[cplchanb]

Tens of millions?

Let's not be silly.

When you factor in the consultant fees on top of construction costs it probably wont be so far off

 

[nfitz]

When you factor in the consultant fees on top of construction costs it probably wont be so far off

BS. 10% of the cost for the entire subway station for a concrete slab?

 

[cplchanb]

BS. 10% of the cost for the entire subway station for a concrete slab?

considering that ML has a history of unchecked rampant wasteful spending, I invite you to show the numbers to justify them using taxpayers money to build a platform, not use it at all, tear it up and build it again at a cost so neglible it can be classified as awash.
until then we can agree to disagree but this is not the way to spend our dollars regardless if its a few hundred thousand dollars or a few million.

 

[T3G]

considering that ML has a history of unchecked rampant wasteful spending, I invite you to show the numbers to justify them using taxpayers money to build a platform, not use it at all, tear it up and build it again at a cost so neglible it can be classified as awash.
until then we can agree to disagree but this is not the way to spend our dollars regardless if its a few hundred thousand dollars or a few million.

That's not how these types of arguments work. You can't prove a negative. You are alleging that immense amounts of money were spent to tear up this small platform, therefore the onus is on you to prove it.

 

[nfitz]

considering that ML has a history of unchecked rampant wasteful spending, I invite you to show the numbers to justify them using taxpayers money to build a platform, not use it at all, tear it up and build it again at a cost so neglible it can be classified as awash.
until then we can agree to disagree but this is not the way to spend our dollars regardless if its a few hundred thousand dollars or a few million.

As far as I know, the concrete slab was done under a TTC contract, and was present on day one. It's less than 30-metres long for frig's sake!

Your numbers are so utterly extreme that I don't think I can ever take anything you ever say again seriously!

If you extrapolate your cost for 30-metres of concrete to all the concrete walkways they built around the two side of the station, the cost would exceed the cost of the ENTIRE station!

 

[reaperexpress]

The unused platform at Downsview Park has been torn up. Anyone tracking what the intent of this construction is? Corridor widening?

View attachment 667032View attachment 667033

Here's the previous situation.

Photo from 2021 (I think this is unchanged since the station opening in 2017):

By 2025 the railings had been removed. (photo by Dillan Payne via Wikipedia)

I assume the purpose of the construction is to extend the accessibility platform out to the (future) track edge, similar to the existing platform on the east side:

In which case, the question is why they didn't build the platform stub like that in the first place. My best guess it that the original design assumed the accessibility ramp would be slightly north of the station building (note the position of the ramp in 2021), but they changed their mind and decided to have it aligned with the station doors like it is on the east platform.

 

[hw621]

BS. 10% of the cost for the entire subway station for a concrete slab?

Remember the City of Toronto had to spend over $100K for a few concrete steps in a park?

 

[evandyk]

It actually cost $10,000, although the city had originally said it would cost $65-$150,000.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/tom-riley-park-stairs-rebuilt-1.4227365

 

[urbancog]

Metrolinx is pre-qualifying contractors for some minor GO Construction work on bridges:

Procurement Pipeline
Prequalified Vendors only will be eligible to bid on the following opportunities to be released within the next twelve (12) months:

• Construction Services for Bridge Rehabilitation at M.34.30 Newmarket Subdivision
• Newmarket 31.50 Rehabilitation
• Mimico Bridge Replacement
• Cooksville Bridge Replacement

 

[cplchanb]

Metrolinx is pre-qualifying contractors for some minor GO Construction work on bridges:

Procurement Pipeline
Prequalified Vendors only will be eligible to bid on the following opportunities to be released within the next twelve (12) months:

• Construction Services for Bridge Rehabilitation at M.34.30 Newmarket Subdivision
• Newmarket 31.50 Rehabilitation
• Mimico Bridge Replacement
• Cooksville Bridge Replacement

No bridge between agincourt and Kennedy still?????

 

[smallspy]

No bridge between agincourt and Kennedy still?????

That's being covered under an existing contract. The others are net-new, and thus need a tender.

Dan