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Three months ago we reported on the construction that is underway on the guideway for the new Union Pearson Air Rail Link, and the crews have been busy in the time since extending the support columns ever closer to Pearson Airport, while the concrete guideway itself is now in place at the north end of the spur line.
AirLINX Transit Partners, made up of Aecon and Dufferin Construction, is building for Metrolinx the new rail line to connect Toronto's core to Toronto's main airport in time for a 2015 opening ahead of the Pan Am Games. The train, which is expected to take a bit over 20 minutes to run each way and cost over $20 to ride, should take a number of Airport Limos and taxis off the Gardiner and 427 as many people will opt to travel to the airport on the rails. A couple of stations midway along the route should make the new line attractive to some in the west end as well those close to Union Station.
Above, the guideway is seen in place where it runs parallel to Goreway Drive at the intersection of Zahavy Way. The 427 is hidden in the background of the photo atop its berm. Below, a close-up of workers atop the guideway beams.
The photos above and below were taken at the cul-de-sac at the south end of Northwest Drive. The one above looks north towards Goreway Drive, while the one below follows the curve as the Air Rail Link columns swing to the southwest to follow the 409 onto the airport grounds.
Closer to the airport, column construction has just reached Viscount Road, near the end of Pearson's inter-terminal train.
Looking southwest from Viscount Road towards the airport we see forms on the ground close to where the next columns will be placed for the final run into the airport.
A map shows the route of the spur extending south from the existing Go Kitchener line. The existing route into Toronto is also seeing significant expenditure to increase capacity for both the Air Rail Link and expanded service on the GO line. Photos in this story start near the top of the map and continue southwards at strategic viewpoints.
Design of the Air Rail Link station (shown in yellow above), to be placed immediately adjacent to the existing Terminal 1 station of Pearson's Link train (ahown in purple above), is expected to be complete in December.
Looking forward to riding the rails to and from Pearson instead of fighting road traffic? Leave us a comment below on the Air Rail Link.
