STAFF REPORT
February 28, 2000
To: Works Committee
From: Barry H. Gutteridge, Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services
Subject:Authorization to retain CN Rail to undertake construction of thePort Union Road/CN Rail Pedestrian Grade
Separation Scarborough Malvern
Purpose:
This report seeks authorization to enter into an agreement with CN Rail and to issue them a purchase order in order to
proceed with the construction of the Port Union Pedestrian Underpass as approved in the 2000 Capital Works Program.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Funding is available in the 2000 Transportation Capital Budget under Project TR703 in the amount of $1.8 million.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)The City enter into a grade separation agreement with CN Rail for construction of the Port Union Road/CN Rail
Pedestrian Underpass and that the Treasurer and Clerk be authorized to execute the agreement in a form approved by the
Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services and the City Solicitor;
(2)Staff be authorized to issue a purchase order to CN Rail in an amount not exceeding $1.8 million; and
(3)The appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.
Background:
The former City of Scarborough and now the City of Toronto staff have been working on the development of a
comprehensive waterfront plan in the area of Port Union Road since the mid 1990's. This has been a coordinated effort
between the Toronto Region Conservation Authority, the Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department, and
the Works and Emergency Services Department to construct a network of paths for the Community to access the proposed
Port Union Village Common park and Lake Ontario, and has included extensive public consultation. The attached
"Schedule A" outlines the proposed development.
To date the Toronto & Region Conservation Authority has acquired the property which was required south of the tracks for
the completion of this project. Property north of the tracks has been acquired by the Facilities and Real Estate Division of
the Corporate Services Department. Work is scheduled to begin on the construction of the Port Union Village Common
late this year. The construction of the Waterfront Trail, which will be constructed by the Toronto & Region Conservation
Authority, is in the final stages of the Environmental Assessment process. Toronto & Region Conservation Authority staff
anticipate receiving the Approvals for this project this year and beginning the construction of the Waterfront Trail,
including the required lakefilling operation, late in 2000 with completion scheduled for 2002.
At present, access to the Lake is restricted by the CN Rail Belleville Subdivision tracks. This is a very busy section of the
rail network, carrying freight traffic as well as GO and Via commuter traffic. City staff have been working with staff of CN
Rail for over two years to design a safe crossing at this location while minimizing both long term and construction activity
impact on this important rail link. The solution developed is to construct a Pedestrian Tunnel under the tracks. Although
this structure is intended for use by pedestrians to access the Waterfront Trail from the north side of the tracks, it will be
designed to accommodate small emergency vehicles such as a police car or an ambulance.
The funding for Project TR703, Port Union Pedestrian Underpass was included in the 2000 Transportation Capital
Program in the amount of $1.8 million. During the detailed design process which took place in 1999, it became evident
that, due to the very high volume of rail traffic at this location, an intricate and substantial structural falsework system
would need to be built in order to maintain railway traffic during construction. CN Rail policy requires that, as owners of
the tracks, they undertake design and construction of this falsework system. Further, it was agreed between the City and
CN staff that the best option would be for the CN Rail to undertake construction of the underpass itself at the same time.
This approach will result in less disruption to railway traffic, more efficient and safer construction, cost reductions, and
reduced liability for the City. To facilitate this method of construction, the City must enter into an Agreement with CN
Rail, outlining the terms of payment as well as the conditions of maintaining the crossing, and issue them a Purchase Order
in the amount of the estimated cost of the work.
CN Rail will use a competitive tendering process to award this work to a contractor and all charges to the City will be on
an actual cost incurred basis, as specified in the Agreement.
Comments:
The CN Rail has been co-operative and accommodating to the City's request for the construction of this project. The best
option to complete this project is for CN Rail to manage the tender and award of the construction contract. In order to
accomplish this, CN Rail has requested that the City issue a Purchase Order to them to cover the estimated cost of
construction. The estimated cost has been reviewed by the City's Consultant, R.V. Anderson Associates Ltd., and
determined to be reasonable. A separate Grade Separation Agreement between the City and CN Rail will be executed. This
Agreement has been reviewed by the City's Legal Services Division.
Conclusion:
In order to proceed with the construction of the Port Union Pedestrian Underpass, the City staff require authority to execute
a Grade Separation Agreement and to issue a Purchase Order to CN Rail for the construction of the Port Union Road/CN
Rail Pedestrian Grade Separation in the amount not to exceed $1.8 million.
Contacts:
D. Weiler, P.Eng.D.Tyagi, P.Eng.
Senior Project EngineerDirector, Engineering Services
District 4, Design & ConstructionDistricts 3 & 4
Technical ServicesTechnical Services
Phone:(416) 396-7141Phone: (416)395-6243
Fax:(416)396-5681Fax: (416) 395-0349
E-mail: weiler@toronto.caE-mail: dtyagi@toronto.ca
Tom G. Denes, P.Eng.
Executive Director, Technical Services
Barry H. Gutteridge
Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services
List of Attachments:
Appendix 1 - Schedule A
DW:JJ
File:Word\DW\8604Report-WksCom1.doc
