Excessive noise and vibrations caused by excavation machines constructing a tunnel for Ottawa’s light rail transit system seem to have diminished for the moment.
The disturbances, which started around mid-December and lasted into early January, were a major concern for residents above the tunneling in the area around the corner of Bronson and Albert streets. The noise and vibrations from the tunneling machine, nicknamed “Chewrocka,” made it almost impossible for residents to live their daily lives.
“It was a thumping noise. A lot and regular, like bang bang bang bang . . . it was very inconvenient,” says Guy Decarie, who works in the Trebla Building on Albert Street.
However, according to Decarie and several other residents in the area, the noise gradually disappeared in early weeks of the new year. The city’s spokesperson on the project, Theresa Mendler, says this is because the tunnel’s construction has progressed to a depth where the noise is no longer noticeable above ground.
“The “roadheader” has progressed forward. Right now it’s past Bronson and as it goes along that’s why they had complaints for about a day or two and then those went away,” says Mendler. Although the roadheader is continuing excavation, noise does not yet seem to be a problem for residents further down the construction’s path.
If the noise does become a problem again, residents are asked to call city bylaw officers to see if the noise exceeds the limit of 65 decibels. However, because of a bylaw exemption, construction is allowed to continue throughout the night as long as it does not exceed that 65-decibel limit.
Construction of the West Portal tunnel, the entry to which is located just west of Commissioner Street, has so far progressed 140 metres, according to deputy city manager Nancy Schepers.
The tunnel will continue east along Queen Street until it meets the Central shaft, which is located around the corner of Queen and Kent streets. The central shaft will then connect to the east portal near Waller and Laurier Street East.
According to Schepers, the portal system of entrances is designed to minimize surface level noise and keep most of the work focused underground.
“Rideau Transit Group (RTG) has installed monitoring equipment near the tunnel access points and periodic noise and vibration monitoring has been ongoing since the tunnelling started,” says Schepers.
The excavation of the tunnel, however, will continue for several years.
“Excavation is scheduled for completion in 2016, concurrent to and following which there will be underground work for station construction and finishing through 2016 and 2017,” says Schepers.