There have been moments on Booth Avenue in Riverdale when the neighbours congregate on their porches in the middle of the night. They say it’s because they’ve been jolted awake by construction next to their homes.
“I come out here and they’re just pounding at 1:30 in the morning,” said Janice Lachapelle. “Nobody can sleep.”
The construction is for the Ontario Line — a new 15.6-kilometre subway line in that will run from Exhibition Place, through downtown, to the Ontario Science Centre.
Metrolinx says it’s the largest transit expansion in Canadian history, and that it’s always looking at all available measures to mitigate these challenges for people living around the construction. But a group of residents say their health and homes are not being taken into consideration.
“We’re just at our wits end,” said Lachapelle, adding she’s been undergoing cancer treatments and is concerned about how the noise and lack of sleep is impacting her health.
“Everything in our house is vibrating. My picture frames have moved, my glassware is moving, I am afraid that the roof is going to cave in.”
Lachapelle’s home is over 100 years old and she’s concerned about potential damage. Her neighbour, Linda Sargeant, echoes those concerns.
“My house was shaking so violently last week that a piece of art fell off my wall and I’m having it reframed now,” she said. “The last couple of months have been unbearable.”
Metrolinx response
To reduce impacts of Ontario Line construction in this area, Metrolinx said in a statement that it’s installing noise barriers that are at least five metres high.
“New retaining walls are also being installed on the rail corridor, and as soon as these are complete, we will construct the noise barriers above them,” the statement said.
The transit agency said it’s sequencing noisier work activities during the day and less disruptive activities overnight, using equipment with noise mitigation controls and adjusting its site operations and work methodologies to reduce disruptions. It also said it’s using less disruptive equipment and ensuring adequate set back distances between noisy equipment and adjacent residential properties.
“In addition, we have several noise and vibration monitors in place to ensure that construction impacts stay within acceptable levels,” the statement said.
Metrolinx said it’s always working with homeowners and is offering to conduct structural assessments in cases of potential damage.
“We work with experienced engineers who analyze and provide guidance on mitigations and repairs, and in every case where damage occurs as a result of our construction activities, we will repair the damage,” the agency said.
Legal action not ruled out
Neighbours� haven’t been happy with the communication from Metrolinx, said Sargeant, who works in real estate. They receive notices about the work that’s happening, but she said she doesn’t feel their concerns are being taken seriously.
“When I complained last week about my house shaking I got an email back saying that it was vibrations deemed acceptable by their meter system,” she said.
“I support transit … but how that’s being navigated by Metrolinx with their community liaison people addressing immediate concerns, they’re very patronizing, it’s very scripted and dismissive of what everyone is experiencing.”
Sargeant said she’s in the process of arranging to have a structural engineer assess her house. She said she’s also prepared to hire a lawyer.