Most of a Toronto street is about to be demolished

A major transformation is underway on a street in Toronto's Thorncliffe Park neighbourhood as demolition work begins along most of Banigan Drive, marking a key step in preparing the area for the forthcoming Ontario Line and its future Thorncliffe Park station. 

Starting Tuesday, Aug. 5, construction crews will begin preparing the buildings along a large portion of a local street for demolition.

The properties at 1-20 Banigan Drive, now being prepped for structural demolition, will be part of a larger property that will serve as a future maintenance and storage facility for the Ontario Line's trains.

Metrolinx says that after an extensive study of nine different sites across the route, the site in Thorncliffe Park was selected since it met all of the line's technical needs while also demonstrating the least impact to local jobs and businesses.

Aerial view of the Ontario Line's operations, maintenance, and storage facility (OMSF) facing south from Wicksteed Avenue. Photo: Metrolinx.

The initial phase of the project, which includes building abatement, is expected to last several weeks, with full demolition anticipated to begin in September. 

The project is scheduled to continue for approximately three months, running Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. 

The work site. Photo: Metrolinx.

According to Metrolinx, the demolition is necessary to clear the site for future construction, and the abatement process will take place inside the structures. Still, residents and businesses nearby should anticipate construction noise once structural demolition begins, and equipment such as excavators, bobcats, and dump trucks will be seen in the area as construction continues. 

To ensure public safety, Metrolinx will be installing temporary hoarding around the demolition site, and signage and barriers will clearly mark work zones. Despite the scale of the project, no lane or sidewalk closures are anticipated, and local TTC bus service will continue without disruption.

Once completed, the Ontario Line will add 15 new transit stops and more than 40 connections to other transit systems, including GO trains, streetcars, the TTC, and buses. The future transit line is expected to reduce car traffic by an estimated 28,000 vehicles per day. 

By 2041, an estimated 12,800 people will live within walking distance of Thorncliffe Park station, with 3,100 passengers expected to use it during the busiest travel hour. The area is also projected to support around 3,000 jobs, with approximately 500 transit transfers occurring during peak hours.