The City will replace the 100-year old cast iron watermain along Rowanwood Avenue, Thornwood Road, Chestnut Park and Roxborough Street with a newer, larger diameter watermain. This will improve the reliability of water supply to the neighbourhood.
Construction will take place from February 2025 to August 2026. The work will involve underground tunneling and open cut construction within the City right-of-way.
During recent work at the Macpherson shaft site, the contractor discovered a steel beam and column structure. Further investigation revealed that the beams extend approximately 8 metres below ground. Removing these steel beams and columns to proceed with the construction of the tunnelling shaft would require additional trenching and a significant expansion of the work zone, resulting in further property impacts and a prolonged full road closure at the Macpherson Avenue and Yonge Street intersection.
To avoid these disruptions, City staff have advised against removing the steel beams and columns.
Currently, the City staff and the contractor are exploring the relocation of the Macpherson shaft site. This relocation would extend the overall project timeline, and a revised schedule will be developed accordingly. While the project team works through these technical adjustments, construction is on hold.
To minimize disruption to the community during this pause in work, the contractor will begin demobilizing from the site. This will include:
An update notice will be provided before work is to take place again.
As noted in the April 17 update, there has been a delay in mobilizing large construction equipment at the Thornwood Road shaft location due to a utility conflict. As a result, changes to the project schedule and work sequence are required. This may affect the timing of key phases, including shaft excavation, tunnelling and open-cut excavation.
The schedule is being revised, and more information will be shared as soon as it becomes available.
A crane and other large equipment are required to construct the micro-tunnel boring machine launch shaft at Thornwood Road and Rowanwood Avenue.
Delivery of this equipment is expected as early as May 20. To accommodate the delivery, on-street parking will be temporarily removed for two days on:
“No Parking” signs will be posted in advance, and permit holders will be notified by mail.
We recognize the confusion regarding local parking impacts, particularly for permit holders. Work is underway to clarify scheduling and provide more consistent advance notice.
Current status (as of May 9): As shared in the April 17 construction update, on-street parking restrictions along sections of Rowanwood Avenue, Cluny Drive, Pricefield Road and Thornwood Road are not currently in effect. Residents may continue to park as usual and follow all existing signage and permit conditions.
Future restrictions: Due to narrow roadway conditions and the size of the construction equipment, temporary parking restrictions will continue to be required at various stages of the project. Efforts will be made to minimize disruption and provide residents with as much notice as possible.
The presence of construction workers’ personal vehicles parked on Rowanwood Avenue and nearby streets with what appeared to be City-issued permits has understandably caused frustration. A review confirmed that these permits were neither issued nor authorized by the City and are not valid.
To address this, the project site inspector and Toronto Police Service – Parking Enforcement have been advised that these permits are illegitimate, and any vehicles displaying them should be subject to enforcement. Project inspection staff have been directed to monitor the area daily, and any unauthorized permits observed will be reported. This will complement Parking Enforcement’s targeted efforts in the area over the coming weeks.
To strengthen project oversight and reinforce the City’s commitment to meeting community expectations, changes are being made to contract oversight on this project. This adjustment is intended to improve overall delivery and does not affect the broader project team.
The construction trailer currently located on Cluny Drive is in the process of being relocated to the boulevard. Although the move has taken longer than anticipated, steps are being taken to improve visibility and pedestrian safety in the area. Relocation remains a priority, and updates will be provided as soon as a confirmed timeline is available.
The mobilization of large construction equipment at the Thornwood Road Shaft Location, originally scheduled to begin on April 7, has been delayed due to a utility conflict and is on hold until further notice.
As a result, the on-street parking restrictions along sections of Rowanwood Avenue, Cluny Drive, Pricefield Road and Thornwood Road will not be implemented at this time. Please continue to park as usual and follow all existing street signage and permit conditions.
Notification will be provided ahead of any future changes to parking restrictions.
The City is planning to replace the existing 900mm watermains on Rowanwood Avenue, Cluny Drive, Chestnut Park, Roxborough Street East, and Wrentham Place with larger 1200mm watermain to ensure sufficient water supply to residents.
Construction will involve both excavation of trenches (‘open cut’) and underground tunneling work for about 20 months.
Tunneling on Rowanwood Avenue will be carried out through two underground shafts (vertical tunnels). A tunnel boring machine (TBM) will excavate and construct the new watermain between the two shafts. One shaft at MacPherson Avenue, west of Yonge Street and the other shaft at Thornwood Road.
Open cut construction will take place on Thornwood Road at Chestnut Park and Rowanwood Avenue; Roxborough Street at Wrentham Place and Chestnut Park.
You may experience dust, noise and other inconveniences during construction. We appreciate your patience during this construction and will make efforts to reduce the impacts.
The route for the watermain was selected to reduce impacts as much as possible, however, there are areas where construction activities will be carried out in close proximity to businesses and residential properties.
Work will take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday, with work on weekends as required.
Sound and vibration monitors will be in place within the work zone to track and assess noise levels.
Each shaft work area will be surrounded by a temporary, 2.4 meter-high solid wood fencing. The fencing will ensure public safety around the shaft areas and reduce noise levels during construction.
From time-to-time, the water supply to properties will be shut-off to complete construction; The City’s contractor will provide notice at least 48-hours in advance. When water is shut off, it is recommended that you temporarily disconnect any water treatment systems (i.e. softeners or filters), water-cooled air conditioners or similar plumbing fixtures. In the event you did not receive advance notice, the City may have needed to use an emergency water shut off to complete work.
As part of the construction, 12 trees will be removed: Seven on Chestnut, four on Roxborough, and one on Thornwood.
The project team carefully designed the construction methods and watermain alignment to minimize tree loss, evaluating multiple alternative alignments during the design phase. Various engineering measures were explored and incorporated into the project to protect as many trees as possible, including trenchless technologies such as tunneling and directional drilling where feasible, adjusting utility placement, and refining excavation limits. These efforts allowed for the preservation of a significant number of trees; however, the loss of these 12 trees could not be avoided.
Trees within the construction zone that will not be removed are protected as per the City’s Tree Protection Policy.
The City has been working with businesses and property management representatives to accommodate delivery and loading activities during construction. If you have not yet discussed your delivery needs with the project team, please contact the staff person listed on this web page as soon as possible.
The City’s contractor must ensure safe and accessible walkways and entryways are maintained for everyone during construction. Any temporary access disruptions will be communicated as soon as possible. If you experience a disruption, have a specific access need or related accommodation request, contact the person listed on this web page.
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