The rescue operation to free a multi-million dollar boring machine trapped beneath an Old Mill Drive in west Toronto has suffered another setback, with the city now warning that further delays may occur before the project is completed.
Originally slated for completion in the fall, the project is now expected to finish in December, with additional street restoration work postponed until next spring. According to a notice sent to residents, the delay is attributed to the complexity of the underground project taking place in confined spaces with variable conditions. However, the notice cautions that additional unforeseen delays might arise due to unpredictable underground factors and weather conditions.
Residents in the area have expressed growing frustration with the ongoing project, which has disrupted their lives with noise, heavy equipment, and vibrations. The project’s cost has also skyrocketed, nearly tripling since the beginning of the year to reach $25 million, up from the initial estimate of approximately $9 million in March.
The delays and cost increases stem from complications encountered during the rescue operation, necessitating sequential work rather than simultaneous efforts. The machine became ensnared in 14 underground steel tiebacks, part of a nearby condo building’s construction, while attempting to dig a new storm sewer. It was originally placed 18 meters underground to avoid interference with the Bloor-Danforth subway line.
Despite the frustrations, city officials and contractors are working diligently to safely complete the rescue operation and the necessary basement flood protection work. Residents are hoping for the project’s conclusion in December and a thorough investigation into the causes of the delays and cost overruns.
The trapped boring machine, valued at approximately $3 million, will be removed in sections from the tunnel beneath Old Mill Drive in the coming weeks to facilitate the project’s completion.
