Keeping Communities Safe During Construction

Our commitment

While new subway and light rail projects are built, we put safety first. From customers, to communities, and our employees, keeping people safe is our priority.

Safety is essential, guiding every decision and action we take. Our approach is based on rigorous safety standards and industry best practices, thorough oversight, and close collaboration with our contractors. Our goal is to ensure every work site is managed with care to prevent incidents and keep people safe. We also understand that safety needs and concerns evolve throughout construction, which is why we continually seek feedback and make necessary adjustments to improve safety practices and ensure the communities where our work takes place are protected.

The sections below explore the many ways we work to keep everyone safe during construction.

Truck safety

Trucks play a vital role in construction, whether they’re moving excavated soil, delivering materials, or transporting equipment and tools. We work closely with our contractors and municipal partners to carefully plan truck routes that avoid residential areas and prioritize main roads whenever possible. We implement detailed traffic management plans that help coordinate truck movements to support safe operations as we bring transit improvements to the region.

Learn more about how Metrolinx manages truck traffic during construction.

Maintaining access and mobility

Metrolinx takes steps to make sure there are safe and accessible routes for everyone while work is happening. Our goal is to balance the needs of communities with making progress on important transit improvements. Here are some ways we keep communities connected while we build:

• Clear pathways for pedestrians and cyclists: We set up detours and protected paths around construction zones using barriers and fencing to separate work areas from public spaces. We make sure pathways are safe and easy to navigate with clear signage and, where needed, additional temporary lighting. We work to keep pathways well-maintained and free of obstacles.
• Accessible routes: We ensure there are accessible routes in place at our construction sites so people with mobility devices, strollers, or other needs can continue to get where they need to go.
• Temporary crossings: In areas where construction overlaps with pedestrian crossings, we can install temporary crossings to make sure everyone can still get to where they need to go safely and easily. Where necessary, traffic control personnel and/or paid duty officers may be called in to help keep things moving efficiently.
• Coordination with transit agencies: As part of Metrolinx, GO Transit works closely with our construction teams to reduce impacts on existing train and bus services. We also work with other transit agencies across the region to communicate changes, maintain smooth connections and provide alternative travel options when needed.
• Early communication: We notify communities about upcoming changes like detours and temporary closures well in advance of work starting so that everyone can be prepared and plan accordingly.

Safe and secure work zones

Making sure construction zones and public spaces are clearly separated is one of the most important ways Metrolinx prioritizes safety during transit construction. By creating secure and well-defined barriers, we protect the community while keeping construction activities contained. Here’s how we do it:

• Secure fencing and barriers: We use fencing, hoarding, and other physical barriers to clearly mark and enclose work zones. This prevents trespassing, clearly separates construction from public spaces, and reduces the risk of safety-related incidents.
• Clear signage: Signs around work zones help guide people and vehicles so that everyone knows where to go and what areas to avoid. Signage may also provide information and important details related to construction activities.
• Access control: Entry points to work sites are strictly controlled to ensure safety and efficiency. Designated gates are set up to keep the movement of trucks and equipment organized and efficient. In busier areas, these gates also help streamline traffic flow.
• Regular inspections: Worksite boundaries are checked regularly to make sure barriers and protective measures are secure and effective.

Traffic control personnel

Traffic control personnel are often brought in to help manage busy intersections, guide pedestrians and cyclists, and keep vehicles and construction equipment moving safely. These professionals play an important role where extra support is needed to help direct movement around work zones. Different types of traffic control personnel can be called in, depending on the construction site and the needs of the project, and can include traffic flaggers and paid-duty police officers.

Conditions and schedules on construction sites can change so keep an eye out for signs and follow directions from traffic control personnel – they’re there to keep you safe!

Safety at existing stations and lines

Making improvements at existing stations and along active transit lines comes with unique challenges. Here’s how we manage safety while keeping transit services running smoothly:

• Maintaining safe access for customers: We create clear, protected pathways using temporary barriers and fencing to make sure customers can move safely through stations and around construction areas. Temporary wayfinding signs help direct people to where they need to go, like alternate entrances, platforms, or ticketing areas.
• Platform safety: For work happening close to GO train platforms, we install safety barriers and sometimes temporarily shift boarding areas to keep customers safe. For transit routes that operate at street level, we will temporarily move stops as needed to make sure customers are a safe distance from construction zones and have enough space to easily access their stop.
• Mindful scheduling: We schedule construction work to reduce or prevent impacts on regular transit operations. This includes performing disruptive activities during off-peak hours or overnight, whenever possible, to limit the impact of transit schedule changes for customers.
• Coordination with transit operators: We work closely with GO Transit and local transit operators to align schedules, maintain services, and communicate any changes to customers as early as we can.
• Regular inspections and monitoring: We frequently inspect construction areas to make sure safety measures are working as intended and adjust them if needed.

Working with our contractors

We hold the contractors and partners working to deliver our transit projects to the same high standards of safety that Metrolinx is known for.

This team effort relies on close collaboration to prioritize safety. Here’s how we work together to make sure the entire construction process is as safe as possible:

• Clear expectations: Before work begins, we make sure our contractors are fully informed about the strict safety and quality standards that they must follow. We work with our partners to develop site-specific safety plans that address everything from secure barriers and signage to pedestrian detours and truck access points.
• Regular check-ins: To keep projects on track, we hold regular meetings with contractors to review progress, address any issues, and adapt plans based on changing conditions or feedback from the community.
• Safety audits and oversight: We frequently audit construction sites to make sure all safety standards and protocols are being followed. This includes reviewing work plans to identify potential risks and how to address or prevent them, especially in areas where construction activities and public spaces overlap.
• Emergency preparedness: Contractors are equipped to handle unexpected situations, like extreme weather or equipment issues, to make sure work continues safely. They conduct regular emergency drills, and when necessary, coordinate with local fire departments to plan for emergency situations.

Get in touch

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work together to create a faster, more connected transit network for the future.

If you have questions about work on a Metrolinx project being built close to you, please reach out to the Community Engagement team in your area:

• Toronto West
• Toronto East
• Hamilton
• Peel Region
• York Region
• Halton Region
• Durham Region
• Simcoe County
• Region of Waterloo
• Guelph & Wellington
• Niagara Region