Streetcar track installation error delays work on Leslie Street

WATCH ABOVE: New Leslie Street streetcar tracks were installed about nine centimetres too high and will need to be redone. Mark McAllister reports.

TORONTO — A stretch of streetcar tracks along Leslie Street had been installed about nine centimetres too high and will need to be redone.

The error, affecting a 60-metre stretch between Eastern Avenue and Queen Street, is the fault of a contractor and the work is expected to add about another month onto the already significantly delayed Leslie Barns project.

“The contractor has admitted that it was their error, they have taken responsibility, and they will be paying to fix it,” said TTC spokesperson Susan Sperling.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The contractor has admitted that it was their error, they have taken responsibility, and they will be paying to fix it," said TTC spokesperson Susan Sperling.

Sperling said the TTC keeps a fairly close eye on its projects and work being done.

READ MORE: TTC officials defend $105M cost of Leslieville streetcar spur line

“These are professional builders and this is not something that went on for months at a time without our oversight,” said Sperling. “The concrete got poured, we went to lay the tracks and discovered the error quite quickly.”

She said there are multiple options for fixing the error, including shaving down the concrete foundation or completely removing it and laying fresh foundation. She said they are working to find the option with the least amount of disruption to residents and shortest delay to the project.

Mayor John Tory said such errors are “profoundly exasperating” for him to hear.

He said these projects that drag on and on put a serious strain on the neighbourhood and its residents.

“It even isn’t so much about money,” said Tory. “It’s about people’s time. And it’s about disruption in that neighbourhood where it’s going on for a long time and I’m not happy about it.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It even isn't so much about money," said Tory. "It's about people's time. And it's about disruption in that neighbourhood where it's going on for a long time and I'm not happy about it."

He said there are systemic issues which need to be addressed by the commission’s CEO Andy Byford.

“I’d say we have to have more change. And I think Mr. Byford understands that and I think he’s taking steps to deal with it. But this is totally unsatisfactory and it is disrespectful.”

A decision is expected to be made early next week, and the solution should take four to six weeks.

The Leslie Barns will be the maintenance and storage facility for the TTC’s new, larger streetcars. The TTC expects to start taking occupancy sometime this summer, and be able to move in the streetcars in the fall.  The facility was initially expected to be ready in 2014.

-With files from Mark McAllister