Gerard Kennedy

Subject: GO Transit told to reduce pile-driving noise
By: Lisa Rainford

A win for the neighbourhood, says MP Kennedy. The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has ordered GO Transit to implement corrective measures to reduce the noise and vibration of the pile-driving work during the West Toronto Diamond Grade Separation Project.

In its final decision released Monday, Dec. 7, the independent federal agency said railway companies and urban transit authorities must put the interests of the communities affected by vibrations and noise first in order to meet their obligation under section 95.1 of the Canada Transportation Act.

“It’s a very, very good decision. The residents did a tremendous amount of work,” said Parkdale-High Park MP Gerard Kennedy, crediting the West Toronto Diamond Community Group, which filed a formal complaint against GO. “I didn’t know they’d have a good prospect. These people were very tenacious. This is a win for the neighbourhood.”

In a preliminary decision announced Oct. 8, the CTA determined the community’s prolonged exposure to the pile-driving used during the construction of the Georgetown South rail corridor expansion was unreasonable given the nature of the area in which the work is taking place. At the time, the CTA provided GO the opportunity to respond with detailed evidence as to why it should not be required to implement the proposed measures. The West Diamond Community Group was then allowed to comment on GO Transit’s response. Monday’s decision was based on these submissions.

GO, said the CTA, was unable to offer sufficient proof that it could not implement the agency’s proposed measures. Now, the CTA is insisting that GO take certain measures that include limiting the work hours of the pile-driving, provide daily updates on the pile-driving schedule within seven days and develop a more comprehensive communication program in consultation with the community group and the city, among others.

“We’ll be able to use the CTA commission to hold GO and Metrolinx to account on any prospective expansion,” said Kennedy. “We’re trying to force the government to do an Environmental Assessment to take up some of the cost to build an electric version. If this doesn’t get turned into electric, we’ll have some good protection.”

In its decision, the CTA stressed that the mitigation of noise and vibration must be addressed by railway companies and urban transit authorities early in the planning process of any project.

“We’re really pleased with the decision,” said West Toronto Diamond Community Group member Glenn Stalker. “It was clear in the previous Oct. 8 ruling that GO was in contradiction of the law.”

Although, Stalker said it was business as usual in the Junction Tuesday afternoon, “which is somewhat odd. The ruling does take effect immediately.”

“The ruling affects such measures as the hours of work and the type of construction done,” added Stalker. “The main ruling is that GO must use silent pile-driving throughout the duration of the project.”

Spokesperson Vanessa Thomas said GO Transit respects the function of the CTA.

“We will do everything we can to comply with the CTA’s conditions,” she said. “Many of the conditions were measures that GO began in June 2009. To date, we have reduced the noise by 50 percent. The CTA has ordered GO to use a vibratory hammer from France and a Giken press-in machine, one of only two in the world. We brought that from overseas. It’s important to remember, these are slow technology.”

Thomas said the Giken installs two piles a day while the vibratory hammer installs three to four. By comparison, the impact hammer – or pile-driver installs six to eight.

“The order means we’ll be using less-productive equipment,” Thomas said. “The decision will significantly increase the cost of the project and extend the construction duration.”

As of this month, GO has completed 70 percent of the work, she added.

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