Two of five sites deemed “safe”, work resumes
Stefanie Kennedy
Editorial Intern
Three weeks since construction was halted at York’s subway construction site when tragedy struck—a drilling rig collapse that killed one and injured five—work is starting back up.
As of November 1, two of the five construction sites for the 2015 Toronto York-Spadina Subway Extension (TYSSE) project have been given the clear and are getting back in gear.
“We spoke with York to determine that they could begin work on two of those sites, and it’s just a matter of them beginning that work and thus consulting with us,” says TTC spokesperson Brad Ross. “These two sites are safe and remain safe, and that’s why we began construction. The other two I’m not clear on when they will resume, but clearly we can begin on these two, so we did.”
One of the five sites is where the drilling rig collapse occurred, and will not be resuming construction until the Ministry of Labour completes its investigation and finds
the site “not evident of faults,” explains Ross.
The contractor who voluntarily suspended construction has now contained that suspension to the remaining three sites with construction underway at two specific sites. The TTC and its contractor have further reviewed safety plans and work methods for all sites on campus, states a subscription email from TYSSE.
Ross says he does not have information on whether this will have an impact on the project’s due date of late 2015; no changes have been made as of now.
“There’s been no change to the schedule with respect to opening in 2015,” he says. “I guess we need to wait and see what the outcome of the Ministry of Labour’s investigation is, and what, if any, impact it will have on the project schedule.”
For construction updates, information, and emails visit spadina.ttc.ca
