Item - 2024.SC11.10

The Scarborough Community Council recommends that:  

1. City Council authorize the continuation of the temporary closure of the east sidewalk

on McCowan Road, between Sheppard Avenue East and Nugget Avenue, from April 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, inclusive, to facilitate the Scarborough Subway Extension tunnel construction work.

2. City Council direct that the east sidewalk and boulevard space on McCowan Road, between Sheppard Avenue East and Nugget Avenue, be returned to its pre-construction or better condition when the project is completed.

3.  City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to request Metrolinx to provide an update on the construction timelines of the Scarborough Subway Extension project, including the tunnel boring operations prior to requesting any time extension for the temporary closure of the east sidewalk on McCowan Road, between Sheppard Avenue East and Nugget Avenue beyond December 31, 2024.

As the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) operates a transit service on McCowan Road, City Council approval of this report is required.

Currently, Metrolinx's contractor, Strabag ("the Project Co.") is actively engaged in tunnel boring operations at the designated site in the north-east quadrant of Sheppard Avenue East and McCowan Road. The City Council-approved temporary closure of the east sidewalk on McCowan Road, between Sheppard Avenue East and Nugget Avenue, has been implemented to mitigate potential conflicts between pedestrians and significant flow of inbound and outbound construction vehicles. The approved sidewalk closure is set to expire on March 31, 2024.

Metrolinx has submitted a request for an extension of the temporary sidewalk closure until December 31, 2025. This extension is sought to accommodate the ongoing tunnel boring operations, which have experienced schedule adjustments due to challenges associated with the tunnel boring machine operation and maintenance. Subject to City Council approval of the requested time extension, with the east sidewalk closure in place, pedestrians will continue to utilize the west sidewalk on McCowan Road by safely crossing at the signalized intersections of McCowan Road and Sheppard Avenue East and McCowan Road and Nugget Avenue. Finally, the Project Co. will continue to monitor pedestrian safety along the north sidewalk on Sheppard Avenue East abutting the site by deploying traffic control persons at the site accesses.