A large landslide behind homes on Thursfield Cres. Tuesday has brought a warning from Metrolinx for homeowners to stay out of their backyards until damage has been assessed. One resident, Daniel Unruh, has sent pictures that show the seriousness of the fall. Metrolinx says an investigation is underway into the collapse. The work is part of LRT construction that requires a retaining wall on the much widened Eglinton Ave. where trains will exit the underground portion of the transit line. An appeal from the owner of 99 Thursfield has been issued as follows:
Metrolinx, MPP Kathleen Wynne, Mayor Tory and Councillor Robinson,
I would like to bring to your attention the massive amount of soil that has slid away on the excavation site behind our entire backyard (#99) and a portion of 97 Thursfield as a result of the Eglinton Crosstown. I have concerns that the construction for this project is not being carried out in accordance with Ontario Provincial Standards and Guidelines. Please provide your plan to rectify the situation for the duration of construction and to ensure stability of the slope for our homes post-construction.
Metrolinx Team, I am hoping you can address each of my four main concerns:
The current excavated slope does not comply with standards that we had received from Metrolinx on April 7 indicating that the slope should be 1H:1V (45°). It is easy to see that the slope is nowhere near 45°. It is practically a sheer cliff from our back fence.Question: Does the temporary slope that will be created during construction (ie when the existing earth is removed/cut back and prior to the wall being built and the backfill placed) conform to the recommendations of a qualified Geotechnical Consultant? And will the temporary slope be stable during construction?
Response: The slope of the excavation is at 1H:1V (45°). This slope is stable and it has been signed-off by geotechnical and structural engineers. During the construction of the wall, the slope will also be monitored. The slope excavation will be in accordance with the Occupational Health & Safety Act and Regulations and the Ontario Provincial Standards guidelines.Negligence re: the safety of Thursfield Residents. We were only advised at 6:30 p.m. that we should not enter our backyard until a safety assessment has taken place. We should have been notified immediately at the time of occurrence (sometime in the afternoon). My young child enjoys running around outdoors and it chills me to think that something could have happened to him.
Ongoing safety and stability of our property: The complete removal of mature trees behind our homes from 97 to 101 Thursfield has led to the loss of tree roots that had been keeping the slope stable for so many years. We had continually raised concerns around the stability of the excavation site, during & after construction. However, I believe this incident highlights further the need to revive the network of tree roots behind our fences in order to ensure long-term soil stability. Please advise on final restoration plans.
