Here is an update from the project:
OVERVIEW: The lakefilling portion of the project has proceeded to the point where the eventual form can be imagined. A dockwall 200m long and 25m high has been constructed west from the existing south side of the Cherry Street lift bridge over the Keating Channel. All that remains to be done is to tighten the tie-backs which will keep it from moving into the channel when all the soil is added to make Promontory Park behind it. Stones are being placed in the water to stabilize the bottom. Fish habitats are being installed. These mainly consist of logs and whole trees, some with roots intact, that are weighted to keep them on the bottom to provide egg-laying habitat and shelter for the fingerlings. This work is scheduled for completion in fall 2019.
Excavation of the new river valley has commenced. To date it has consisted of shallow excavation north and south of Commissioners Street down to 300mm above the water table plus the removal of all concrete footings that have been encountered. Deep excavation is to start in early May and should be complete by July. Work is proceeding in two shifts. Some odour is apparent as materials are unearthed, especially when deep foundations are removed. Misting and when necessary, foaming, is employed until the offensive material can be moved or covered.
An overall Traffic Plan has not been finalized as the scope of the plan is being enlarged to be integrated with the work on the Gardiner Expressway rerouting. The contractors, Waterfront Toronto and the City are liaising on this plan.
An Environmental Management Plan has been implemented. The main aim is to minimize the impact of the construction on the neighbourhood. The plan includes monitoring for dust and air quality, including odour, across the site with noise and vibration being monitored at the site perimeters. The emissions from the activities include those from the equipment as well as the materials being uncovered, stockpiled or delivered to the site. Quality of the fill is checked at the source and again upon delivery. On the day of the meeting three trucks from an excavation at Front and Spadina were rejected when the loads were found to contain concrete blocks or rebars. The truck routes into, through and out of the site are washed hourly and the filled areas will be watered for dust suppression when they are flat and stable enough for the watering trucks to cross them. Dust was a major complaint from neighbouring businesses. It was suggested that uncovered areas could be sprayed if watering trucks could not reach them. The contractors advised that they had sprayers similar to snow-makers on ski hills. Mr Coleman said that all complaints are dealt with immediately. Representatives of CIMCO on Villiers Street advised that they had employees with histories of sensitivity complaints. Sound studio reps also asked for advance notice of vibration-producing activities so they can schedule recording activities to remote areas or at other times. A “nasal ranger” with an olfactometer mask was illustrated. They will monitor the existing site and react to complaints. Some concern was raised that such a person may lose sensitivity if spending long periods of time at the site.
A Soil Management Plan has been initiated. The project will entail the movement of one million cubic metres of soil; enough to completely fill the Rogers Skydome. Material will be reused where feasible. All excavated material will be screened and tested for suitability as will all imported material. The plan requires the approval of the Ministry of the Environment.
The Groundwater Management Plan involves extensive work to keep the river bed free from contaminants in the unexcavated areas and eventually to keep the river water from infiltrating the inhabited areas. Concrete caisson walls down to bedrock are being installed along the banks of the eventual valley to keep the excavation dry and prevent any toxins in the remaining land from leaking into the valley. The groundwater left in the valley will be pumped to a reclamation area, cleaned, and pumped into the harbour at a contamination level lower than the existing harbour water. This will continue until the excavation is complete, the valley soil is remediated or covered and the planting installed and established.
The Surface Water management Plan has required a monitoring scheme to test the water in five areas before the work commenced so that a base line could be established. These five areas were: Don River, Keating Channel, Polson Slip, the Ship Channel and the Broadview/Eastern area currently undergoing an environmental assessment. All rainwater on the site will be dealt with on the site.