TORONTO, ON
Via Rail Toronto Maintenance Centre Modernization & Addition
As part of VIA Rails fleet replacement program, the Maintenance Centre is being modernized to improve service in the corridor.
New infrastructure and facility upgrades will enable efficient maintenance and servicing of the new fleet.
The new addition was designed in a manner where the new framing arrangement is a natural extension of the existing building. With consideration of the mid 1980's period the existing buildings were designed, while being compliant with modern codes and the projects design criteria. Close collaboration with the multi-disciplines resulted in a structural design that meets the performance targets and accounted for constructability throughout the stages of construction.
This major upgrade will provide a state-of-the-art maintenance facility for VIA Rail's new fleet of 32 trains in the Quebec City-Windsor corridor and is an important pillar in VIA Rail's large-scale modernization which aims to transform the way Canadians travel from reservation to destination. The modernization project consists of building and upgrading facility infrastructure necessary to continue to service and maintain the existing and new fleets.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
CLIENT
Buttcon Construction
ARCHITECT
OUR ROLE(S)
Structural Engineering Consultant
SIZE
5,000 m²
BUDGET
$160M
MARKET (OFFICE)
TORONTO
Challenge One
As a value engineering option, provisional conventional spread footings and piers for the future expansion were proposed to be constructed in advance.
Solution One
This approach took advantage of the ongoing work, economizing the work, and the forethought of including mechanical couplers installed and buried, to reduce the amount of earthwork needed for future construction and to mitigate undermining of the nearby rail tracks.
Other future proofing measures include modifications made to the new exterior walls whereby the future structure has been planned for and, future cut provisions have been provided at all predetermined locations to accommodate the need to easily knock out a wall where future mechanical and architectural openings are expected. Also, key exterior walls have been designed in such a way that they can be removed and installed in the new future expansion locations. Design details also consider for connections of wall panels to beam, column, other panels, and footing.
Core to our team’s approach was a cautiously planned design to account for the multi-disciplines and for a seamless tie in of the new buildings to the existing systems.
