By Robin MacLennan
Ontario Construction Report staff writer
Construction on the Hazel McCallion LRT line in Mississauga has reached a significant milestone with the completion of an elevated guideway over Highway 403 near Square One. The elevated section will link the future City Centre stop at Rathburn Road to the Robert Speck stop at Hurontario Street, improving access to a key area of the city.
The last of the girders (the horizontal beams that form the backbone of a bridge) were installed over Highway 403 last fall, following the previous girder installation over the eastbound lanes of the highway in the summer. But what exactly are girders, and why are they so important?
Girders are critical components of the bridge’s superstructure, the part responsible for supporting the weight of everything that crosses over. In this case, that means trains for the future LRT line.
Beneath the girders lies the substructure, made up of piers and abutments that were carefully installed earlier in 2024.
The bridge deck is a critical step, as it will pave the way for track installation. A specialized concrete screed machine, running on rails, will ensure the concrete is poured with precision, delivering the correct thickness, slope, and curvature for the track bed. This advanced machine offers improved accuracy and speed compared to traditional hand-finishing methods.
The Hazel McCallion LRT line, part of Peel Region’s 18-kilometre light rail transit project, will run from Port Credit in south Mississauga to the Brampton Gateway Terminal at Steeles Avenue. The line will connect to other transit systems, including MiWay, Brampton Transit, and GO Transit.
Recent drone footage provides a unique view of the elevated guideway as it stretches over Highway 403.
The last of the girders (the horizontal beams that form the backbone of a bridge) were installed over Highway 403 last fall, following the previous girder installation over the eastbound lanes of the highway in the summer. But what exactly are girders, and why are they so important?
Girders are critical components of the bridge’s superstructure, the part responsible for supporting the weight of everything that crosses over. In this case, that means trains for the future LRT line.
Beneath the girders lies the substructure, made up of piers and abutments that were carefully installed earlier in 2024.
With all the key parts now in place, construction teams are shifting focus to building the bridge deck –the flat surface that will eventually hold the LRT tracks.
Completing the bridge deck paves the way for the next step – installing the tracks for the LRT.
A specialized concrete screed machine plays a starring role. Running on rails, it ensures the concrete is poured with precision, creating the perfect thickness, slope, and curvature. This advanced tool not only speeds up the process but also delivers greater accuracy compared to traditional hand-finishing methods.
The elevated guideway is being called a “feat of engineering” and a crucial piece of infrastructure as the Hazel McCallion Line continues to take shape.