TTC Russell Carhouse Upgrades

TTC Russell Carhouse Upgrades

Construction at the TTC Russell Carhouse is on-going until February 2025

Timeline: Ongoing – February, 2025

*Content / timeline accurate at time of posting.

 

What we are doing and why:

 

The expansion of TTC’s streetcar fleet requires additional maintenance/storage space. In order to prepare for the arrival of new streetcars, TTC is upgrading storage capacity at streetcar yards across the City. As part of this program, TTC will be modifying the carhouse and storage area at Russell Yard. Please view the June 2022 Community Update (pdf) for more details about the upcoming construction.

 

What is happening:

 

The Russell Yard upgrade project includes:

Yard storage tracks replacement and maintenance (this project began in September 2022 and is expected to be completed in stages over 2.5 years):

• Replace all yard track with concrete embedded track rail and switches (work will take place in stages as the yard will still be in service).
• Provide track lubrication to all storage tracks to reduce streetcar noise (wheel squeal).
• Replace all underground utility services and provide a stormwater retention management system to meet City of Toronto and Toronto Water requirements.
• Replace the overhead electrical conductor system for Streetcar pantograph operations.

 

Schedule:

In order to maintain operational service levels for TTC customers, construction work for yard storage track replacement and maintenance is being completed in stages over:

 

Stage 1:

• Concrete/track work removal and excavation is expected to occur in the eastern part of the yard, and will be ongoing on a daily basis until November, 2023*. A concrete breaker, backhoe, and dump truck will run on weekdays between 7 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Vibration and noise, typically associated with construction, is expected during road compaction and caisson installation (which emits a drilling sound) in all three stages.
• Beginning as early as March 14, 2023, flood lights will be installed in the yard for the rail installation, and augering will be carried out at locations around the perimeter of the yard to allow for future pole installation.
• Starting in July 2023 for a period of 7 to 8 weeks (pending site conditions), overnight streetcar rail replacement work is scheduled to re-commence. Additional notice will be issued once dates are confirmed. Work will begin in the eastern portion of the yard and move towards the west and southern portion of the yard.
• Crews must work around the clock on track-installation specifically, to ensure effective concrete curing and long-term quality of the rails. Crews are pre-assembling as much rail as possible at an offsite location to expedite the process and reduce the amount of work for assembly in the yard. The assembly and installation of the new track includes rail cutting, rail welding, and fastening the rails in place. Once the rail work is complete, TTC‘s contractor will complete concrete work. Construction vehicles are equipped with a back-up alarm, and staff will work to limit the reversing of vehicles during the night work.

 

Stage 2/3: 

• The same work noted above will be repeated in Stage 2 and in Stage 3 between November 2023* and February 2025*, where work will move closer to the western portion of the yard.

 

Concrete and track work removal and excavation is ongoing at the TTC Russell Carhouse

 

Traffic and pedestrian impacts:

 

• During the yard storage tracks replacement and maintenance work, trucking material off site/truck traffic will be routed along Queen St. E./Eastern Ave., and may cause temporary impacts to traffic lanes and on-street parking. Traffic control on Queen St. E. and Eastern Ave. at Russell Carhouse will be in place. 
• Pedestrian and traffic detours will be in place.

 

Noise, dust, vibration and work hours:

 

• Noise, dust, and vibration associated with construction can be expected with this work. Efforts will be made to keep levels to a minimum and mitigation will be undertaken.
• The majority of work will take place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., as required. As permitted, some overnight and weekend work will be required during the course of this project.
• Some work will take place on a 24/7 basis during the course of this project in order to complete construction as quickly as possible.

 

TTC Service Impacts:

 

• No service impacts are expected as a part of the work. Additional streetcars will be dispatched from TTC’s two other streetcar maintenance/storage facilities: Leslie Barns and Roncesvalles Carhouse.

 

Woodbine Streetcar Loop impacts:

 

The Woodbine Streetcar Loop is being used more frequently as a result of these works, and the increase in use is currently expected until Fall, 2023*:  Streetcars leaving the Russell Yard (currently all 504 King cars) must exit to the east during the first phase of the project. To turn around and head back west into service, streetcars are using Woodbine Loop. 

 

Connaught Ave./Queen St. East impacts

• New overhead will be working on Connaught Ave. during May and on the trailer tracks near Queen St. East (outbound tracks).
• The majority of work will take place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., as required. As permitted, some overnight and weekend work will be required during the course of this project. 

 

Next steps:

Carhouse extension and modifications (start date: as early as 2025 – 2028, TBD*):

• Construct west extension of carhouse to allow for additional maintenance bay for Low-Floor Light Rail Vehicles (LFLRV).
• Upgrade existing carhouse building to accommodate new LFLRV streetcars.
• Reconfigure maintenance tracks and pits in the carhouse for LFLRV operational maintenance.
• Introduce maintenance access for LFLRV rooftop mounted equipment.

 

For further information:

Dennis Amoakohene, Senior Community Liaison, 416-452-5455, Dennis.Amoakohene@ttc.ca

 

*Schedules and timelines noted are subject to change and dependent on site conditions and construction progress. Some stages may be combined.