WJ News

Latest News and Updates from WJ Groundwater and across the Industry.

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LRT Extension Project in Toronto

WJ keep Toronto Moving

The expansion of the Toronto Light Rail Transit (LRT) network has provided WJ with a steady stream of work since WJ Canada was formed in 2016, work which continues to this day.

Throughout 2022 WJ undertook a variety of pumping tests and other hydrogeological investigations at a number of key sites along the LRT alignment. Alongside these investigatory works, WJ have provided robust dewatering solutions to maximize the drawdown at the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) intervention sites.

TBM Interventions

These interventions are locations along the alignment where maintenance is performed on the cutting face of the TBM, and therefore, for safety reasons, zero hydrostatic pressure is required. This requites an extensive and robust dewatering system – something WJ are experts in providing.

In addition to investigatory and dewatering works, an extensive array of groundwater monitoring wells was installed along the alignment to be used for pre-commissioning testing and system monitoring.

LOCATION: Toronto

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Dan CarpenterLRT Extension Project in Toronto
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Finch West LRT Project, Toronto

The Dewatering Vendor of Choice for Toronto LRT Projects

The success of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT (Light Rail Transit) project (also known as Line 5) in Toronto, where we have provided dewatering services to great effect on 12 of the 14 stations, has led to WJ becoming the dewatering vendor of choice for large LRT projects in the city.

Finch West LRT

Building on the success of this project, WJ have recently begun work on the Finch West LRT project. The Finch West Project (also known as Line 6) continues the expansion of public transit services in Toronto and is expected to carry some 40,000 passengers per day by 2031. Our initial works on the project will cover the two new underground station that are due to be constructed: the new terminus at Humber College and the new interchange terminus at Finch West, where the new line will connect with the Line 2 extension to York University.

UOIT multilevel excavation
New UOIT development

Finch West Station

The Finch West Station includes a deep connection to the existing subway station and an underground track crossing – in short a deeply complex project, that will require the installation of deep wells, wellpoints and eductor wells. Fortunately these types of projects are second nature to WJ and perfectly demonstrate our creative and flexible approach to providing successful and efficient dewatering solutions that we have shown on thousands of project in Canada and elsewhere across the globe!

Humber College Station

The Humber College station, located adjacent to Highway 27 will be another opportunity to demonstrate many of the dewatering techniques that were used to great effect on the deep excavations of the Eglinton Crosstown project.

We are proud to be given the opportunity to contribute to this exciting project, and the continued expansion of public transit projects in Toronto, and look forward to its successful completion, and having the opportunity to hop on board!

WJ wellpoint installation at UOIT September 2019
WJ dewatering in Oshawa
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Dan CarpenterFinch West LRT Project, Toronto
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Eductor systems for PATH Toronto

PATH Toronto – the background

Torontonians have long considered near incessant construction on the arterial roads of the city a part of everyday life in a vibrant and ever growing metropolis.

In order to try and minimize this disruption and as part of the development of the new lake front South Core district, a new pedestrian tunnel was required to be constructed underneath York Street, forming part of the PATH pedestrian walkway system that spans more than 30km of downtown Toronto.

Phase 1

Phase 1 of the new tunnel project, under the southbound lanes of York Street, was beset by extensive issues with the dewatering contractor unable to control the seepage flows in to the excavations. This lead to project delays and frustrations for commuters, the City and the General Contractor. One of the most important skills for those in the construction industry is learning from previous projects, therefore for the second Phase of the project, under the northbound lanes, the client was determined to recoup the lost time and therefore adopted a different approach to the project – part of which involved getting WJ on board!

UOIT multilevel excavation
New UOIT development

Meeting project constraints

The General Contractor, PCL, the second largest in Canada, chose to partner with WJ for the tunnel dewatering works upon the recommendations of the structural consultants for the project.

Due to the nature of the site, a small compact rig with a capability of drilling with water flush was essential, therefore we used our trusty SM5 drilling rig to install an eductor dewatering system in Toronto’s characteristic low permeability silty sandy lake deposits which overly the deeper bedrock.

The eductor system was chosen as, based on our extensive experience of working in downtown Toronto, it is best suited to the generally low permeability soils with occasional high permeability layers that are generally encountered.

Ahead of schedule

This installation method and system was so successful we were able to complete our works AHEAD of schedule, and this, coupled with the absence of problematic groundwater in the challenging reclaimed land of the South Core district, enabled the client to make up much of the time lost during the first phase of the works.

  • LOCATION: Toronto
  • MAIN CONTRACTOR: PCL

“This installation method and system was so successful we were able to complete our works AHEAD of schedule.”

WJ wellpoint installation at UOIT September 2019
WJ dewatering in Oshawa
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WJ Group AdminEductor systems for PATH Toronto
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Crossrail Underground Station at Farringdon

One of several Crossrail projects entrusted to WJ Groundwater, Farringdon Station sits at the heart of London’s transport system and will provide access to three rail networks: Crossrail, London Underground and Network Rail.

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WJ Group AdminCrossrail Underground Station at Farringdon
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HS1 Ashford Tunnels

The HS1 railway between London St Pancras and The Channel Tunnel serves both national and international high-speed routes.

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Neil.CoulterHS1 Ashford Tunnels