The Eglinton Crosstown light rail transit system is a major public transportation project that will provide a new east-west link across Toronto, with 25 new stations, including 10 underground stations. With a length of 19 km, the new subway line will help users cross the city 60% faster than the current travel time.
The project—under the supervision of the Crosslinx Transit Solutions (CTS) design-build consortium—is an important one for many contractors and machine operators in the city. Composed of parent companies ACS-Dragados, SNC-Lavalin, AECON, and EllisDon, the consortium has been tasked with ensuring that the Eglinton line is built as quickly as possible.
We spoke with Luis de España de Castro, Equipment Manager at CTS, to discuss this vast project—from the equipment on the ground to what it means for residents.
Due to the location of the construction site, Luis explains that there is very little room for error. There are recurring factors that they must prioritize for the safety of residents. With nearly 3 million residents, Toronto demands a high level of safety for a project of this size. Having reliable, high-quality equipment for projects like this is crucial.
That's why they are very selective with the equipment used at all Crosslinx sites, while looking for ways to maximize the use of each machine. Their fleet includes six Merlo telehandlers, five Roto 60.24 MCSS and one Roto 45.21 MCSS.
They are mainly used for three categories of applications:
- Handling and transport
- Installation of ventilation systems or lighting fixtures
- Grout injection in tunnels
Luis points out that the machine's 360° rotation gives them the versatility and maneuverability they need, which is perfect for tunnel and excavation applications. The Merlo rotating platform, which can be radio-controlled from the platform itself, can support up to 1,000 kg and rotate 90 degrees to work on walls.
Thanks to Merlo's ease of use and precision, they were able to train a large number of workers on how to operate the machines, and the telehandlers were in use all day long. Luis pointed out that operators always preferred to use Merlo telehandlers rather than other machines they had on site.
It was essential for CTS to keep the project running smoothly during this unprecedented period. Merlo's efficiency helped stabilize their construction site and project operations.
Merlo telehandlers continue to grow in popularity in the construction industry, thanks to the productivity gains they offer for material handling, lifting, excavation, working in confined spaces, and in tunnels. Their versatility, compactness, and precision make them the telescopic handler of choice for operators around the world. The Eglinton LRT project is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.