New layover facility for rail service expansion.
As part of GO Transit’s expansion and improvement plans to accommodate increased passenger ridership projections, two new trains were added to the overnight storage at the Milton layover facility, located in the City of Milton, Ontario, Canada. The increase of trains required an expansion of the existing Milton layover facility to accompany two additional tracks (9 and 10) for the 12-car trains. The increased storage capacity allows for additional train service along the corridor without the need for additional non-revenue moves.
As the successful consultant selected for the expansion of the layover, Ausenco provided the complete detailed engineering design, permitting requirements, and construction supervision for the project. The $8M development included two new storage tracks accommodating double headed twelve-car consists, complete with new mainline switches, switch snow clearing devices, and maintenance buildings.
Site work design included storm water management, grading and drainage, underground utilities, maintenance roadway, parking, fencing, landscaping, construction staging, and signage.
Due to the extensive grading work required and the constraints of the adjacent neighbouring properties, the civil design work was challenging and required significant concrete retaining wall design along the entire length of the layover in order to achieve the required track layout and clearances, with minimal disruption to the neighbouring properties.
The electrical design included expansion of the existing sub-station electrical system complete with transformer, new electrical distribution, and wayside power system to accommodate the two 12-car consists. Electrical challenges included extensive coordination with Hydro One and Milton Hydro for removal of several line poles and relocation of overhead high voltage electrical services to an underground installation in order to accommodate the new tracks.
The site incorporated energy efficient high mast LED lighting and local lighting at wayside power cabinets controlled by motion sensors. Communication systems included fire alarm system, CCTV, security, data, and telephone. Wayside power included new underground duct banks, train jumper cables, power cables, and an energy management system with digital controller back to the Willowbrook Rail Facility.
Mechanical design services included four new air compressors and enclosures, underground piping to wayside cabinets, hose reel connections to trains, rail drip trays complete with oil / water separators, stop valves, and gas service to the new hot air switch blowers.
Construction of the layover facility was substantially completed in June of 2017.