CN Ste-Ann-de-Bellevue
Tunnel
accordance with detailed engineering procedures, had to
be closely coordinated with CN operations to protect
existing infrastructures, while maintaining train traffic and
ensuring the safety of all personnel involved. Another
important facet of the project required the abatement of
asbestos-containing fire-proofing material, which was
found to be present on the ceiling of the main tunnel.
the consortium, KPH Turcot, to dismantle a railway tunnel
as part of the Turcot Interchange Reconstruction, which
was a major $3.7 billion civil infrastructure project
undertaken in Montreal, Quebec.
which was located underneath Boulevard Ste-Anne-de-
Bellevue, was exposed to facilitate the removal
operations. The original structure consisted of a 30 ft.
high by 74 ft. wide, three-sided reinforced concrete box
culvert supported on concrete footings with an overall
length of 333 ft.
concrete retaining walls. A 54 ft. extension to the original
construction on the east side had a different structure with
a roof that consisted of a series of reinforced concrete box
girders that spanned the tracks.
The extension was dismantled in sections by saw-cutting and removing the box girders along with the associated slab, which weighed 85,000 lbs. each, as well as sections of the retaining walls using a 500-ton mobile crane, with the heaviest lift being 114,000 lbs. Where there was sufficient clearance from adjacent railway tracks, Delsan-AIM utilized excavators with hydraulic hammers to systematically demolish the remaining retaining walls.
The fireproofing was subsequently removed at this location in accordance with high-risk asbestos abatement procedures using an excavator equipped with a scarifier. Upon final clearance of the decontamination work, each section was demolished using large excavators and the debris shipped off site for recycling.
