Commercial – Toronto, Ontario

Once home to the legacy high-floor streetcars, the Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) Russell Carhouse recently underwent renovations to better serve the new fleet of low-floor accessible streetcars.

Located in Toronto’s East end, upgrades to the TTC yard included the addition of a new acoustic wall along the property line which runs adjacent to a Leslieville neighbourhood.

Committed to reducing noise and vibration for residents, TTC engaged the community on the design of the 160m wall. The much-anticipated wall features absorptive precast panels in a natural stone pattern, graffiti-coated to help maintain visual integrity.

A hidden benefit, our noise walls are integrated retaining walls in some sections and fills the dual role of supporting both the residential and track side earth retainment.

Due to the wall heights required to facilitate the streetlights and streetcar poles incorporated into the design, it was important that light transmission was still preserved. This was achieved using acrylic transparent “window-like” panels incorporated within the upper portions of the wall. Additionally, this met the City of Toronto’s mandate to maintain a certain ratio of light versus structure, as well as achieved the necessary bird protection with bird impact deterrent stripping.