Decision No. 99-R-2010

March 24, 2010

REVIEW by the Canadian Transportation Agency of a noise monitoring program required for Metrolinx, operating as GO Transit, to ensure compliance with Decision No. 507-R-2009 relating to the construction of the West Toronto Diamond Grade Separation.

File No. R8030/T1/09-1

Background

On December 7, 2009, the Canadian Transportation Agency (Agency) issued Decision No. 507-R-2009, pursuant to section 95.1 of the Canada Transportation Act, S.C., 1996, c. 10, as amended (CTA), relating to a noise and vibration complaint regarding the construction by Metrolinx, operating as GO Transit (GO Transit), of the West Toronto Diamond Grade Separation.

That Decision requires GO Transit to, among others things, prepare and submit to the Agency, for approval, a proposed methodology for an enhanced noise and vibration monitoring program to provide weekly noise and vibration level measurements. The methodology is to include: equipment to be employed, method of measurement and associated metrics, and the criteria for selecting the location of measurements.

On December 21, 2009, GO Transit filed a proposed noise and vibration monitoring program. On December 30, 2009, the West Toronto Diamond Community Group (WTDCG) and the City of Toronto each filed comments on GO Transit's proposed monitoring program.

The WTDCG states that it does not have the technical background to address the specifics of GO Transit's monitoring program. In response to questions posed by the City of Toronto, GO Transit filed additional information on February 12, 2010.

Analysis and findings

The Agency has reviewed GO Transit's proposed noise and vibration monitoring program.

GO Transit proposes to calculate noise and vibration levels on a daily basis at a minimum of three locations within close proximity to the construction and residential neighbourhoods. These locations include the northeast, southeast and southwest quadrants of the Junction area.

GO Transit submits that it must take into consideration ease of access, site security and electrical power access when determining the location of the noise monitoring. It also submits that at the outset three locations should be sufficient to provide a representative sample across the community.

The monitoring units will be designed to be weatherproof and considerations will be made for weather conditions in terms of accuracy of data. GO Transit also states that the noise levels will be measured based on precedents developed for the Boston "Big Dig" Central Artery/Tunnel project and that ambient noise and vibration levels will be taken to establish typical noise and vibration levels in the area.

The Agency is satisfied with these measures.

GO Transit submits that noise and vibration measurements will be easily uploaded onto its Website and will be available for publication five days after each weekly report is prepared. GO Transit submits however, that it could take up to six weeks from approval of its monitoring program to contract and install long-term noise monitoring stations. Temporary systems will be used with an acknowledgement that the ability to capture noise and vibration readings may be more limited.

The Agency is satisfied with the proposed timelines for publication of reports and for the implementation of the monitoring measures, including the use of alternate interim solutions. GO Transit will therefore be allowed two weeks from the date of this Decision to establish a temporary noise and vibration monitoring system and six weeks from the date of this Decision to install and begin operating the long-term noise and vibration monitoring systems.

Conclusion

Based on the above, the Agency approves the noise and vibration monitoring program proposed by GO Transit for the West Toronto Diamond Grade Separation Project.

The Agency orders GO Transit to establish a temporary noise and vibration monitoring system within two weeks from the date of this Decision and to install and to implement the long-term noise and vibration monitoring systems within six weeks from the date of this Decision.

Members

• J. Mark MacKeigan
• Geoffrey C. Hare
• John Scott