Ontario Line construction unbearable, residents say

There have been moments on Booth Avenue in Riverdale when the neighbours congregate on their porches in the middle of the night. They say it's because they've been jolted awake byconstruction next to their homes.

"I come out here and they're just pounding at 1:30in the morning," said Janice Lachapelle."Nobody can sleep."

The construction is for the Ontario Line a new 15.6-kilometre subway line that will run from Exhibition Place, through downtownto the Ontario Science Centre.

Metrolinx says it's the largest transit expansion in Canadian historyandthat it's always looking at all available measures to mitigate these challenges for people living around the construction.But a group ofresidents say their health and homes are not being taken into consideration.

• Metrolinx's 'sanctimonious' ad campaign defending construction cost $2.25M

"We're just at our wits' end," Lachapellesaid, adding she's been undergoing cancer treatments and is concerned about how the noise and lack of sleep areimpacting her health.

"Everything in our house is vibrating. My picture frames have moved, my glassware is moving, Iam afraid that the roof is going to cave in."

Lachapelle's home is over 100 years old, and she's concerned about potential damage. Her neighbour, Linda Sargeant, echoes those concerns.

"My house was shaking so violently last week that a piece of art fell off my wall and I'm having it reframed now," she said. "The last couple of months have been unbearable."

Metrolinx response

To reduce impacts of Ontario Line construction in this area, Metrolinx said in a statement thatit'sinstalling noise barriers that are at least five metres high.

"New retaining walls are also being installed on the rail corridor, and as soon as these are complete, we will construct the noise barriers above them," the statement said.

The transit agency said it's sequencing noisier work activities during the day and less disruptive activities overnight,using equipment with noise mitigation controls and adjusting its site operations and work methodologies to reduce disruptions. It also said it'susing less disruptive equipmentand ensuring adequate setback distances between noisy equipment and adjacent residential properties.

"In addition, we have several noise and vibration monitors in place to ensure that construction impacts stay within acceptable levels," the statement said.

Metrolinx saidit's always working with homeowners and isofferingto conductstructuralassessments in cases of potential damage.

"We work with experienced engineers who analyze and provide guidance on mitigations and repairs, and in every case where damage occurs as a result of our construction activities, we will repair the damage," the agency said.

Legal action not ruled out

Neighbourshaven't been happy with the communication from Metrolinx, said Sargeant, who works in real estate. They receivenotices about the work that's happening, but she said she doesn't feel their concerns are being taken seriously.

"When I complained last week about my house shaking, I got an email back saying that it was vibrations deemed acceptable by their meter system," she said.

• Vibrations from Eglinton Crosstown construction damaging their homes, area residents fear

"I support transit ... but how that's being navigated by Metrolinx with their community liaison people addressing immediate concerns, they're very patronizing, it's very scripted and dismissive of what everyone is experiencing."

Sargeantsaid she's in the process of arranging to have a structural engineer assess her house. She said she's also prepared to hire a lawyer.