Repairs continued today after a tunnelling operation gone awry swallowed a sizeable swath of Langstaff Road in Vaughan, forcing commuters to find other ways through the area. If all goes well, Langstaff Road could be partially re-opened as early as Friday.
“We’re hoping to get two lanes open in the eastbound lanes as soon as possible,” said Tomislav Hrkac, a project manager with the Region of York.
However, substantial work will be required to restore the area in the coming months, Mr. Hrkac said, adding it would be premature for him to estimate the cost of repairs.
Damage to the road and the surrounding area is the result of an unexpected shift of the ground beneath the surface caused by tunnelling during of construction on the Bathurst collector and Langstaff trunk sewer project.
“This definitely wasn’t something that was anticipated,” Mr. Hrkac said. “It caught us all off guard.”
The tunnelling machine was working about 20 metres below the surface when it encountered unstable ground that Mr. Hrkac described as “very wet and very soupy.” It was these conditions, coupled with the shifting earth, that led to the road collapse and the subsequent watermain break, he said.
No one was hurt in the incident, Mr. Hrkac said, adding the cost of repairs would “most likely fall to the contractor”.
Electronic traffic signs have been installed and traffic signals altered to help you around the closure.
For the duration of repairs, you are encouraged to use Keele, Dufferin, Bathurst and Centre streets, Rutherford Road and Hwys. 7 and 407 as alternates.
Access for local traffic and emergency vehicles will be maintained throughout the construction period and pedestrians can use the sidewalk on the south side.
For more information, visit york.ca.