Phase 1B Redevelopment Project Questions & Answers

1. What is the construction schedule for the three new CAMH buildings?

Construction commenced in early January 2010 with site fencing and establishment of the site office. Demolition commenced in February 2010 and construction in March. The building envelopes will be completed by mid-2011 and the project will be complete by mid-2012.

2. Were the West Queen West design principles adhered to?

Yes. Key design principles include integration with the community, provision of a residential atmosphere for CAMH clients, clinical functionality, flexibility for future uses, and environmental sustainability.

3. What is the noise level/type/intensity likely to be throughout the construction process? Why?

The level of noise generated will be typical of a normal commercial construction project. It should be noted that Carillion has extensive experience in construction projects in urban neighbourhoods; and is committed to taking all reasonable precautions to ensure noise is managed appropriately during the project.

For example, in the early stages of the project, Carillion installed drilled caisson foundations. This approach had the benefit of being much quieter and far less disruptive than installing driven piles.

Noise resulting from construction of the structural frame and building envelope will be the most noticeable. During this work, the community will experience increased and sustained noise levels from the CAMH site. Activities after this point will focus largely on the interiors, which will be less noticeable.

The community will notice increased truck traffic to and from the site, and this will also contribute to the noise levels. Carillion will manage truck traffic to minimize the impact on the community, through the use of traffic controls, allowing trucks to queue on site rather than on Queen Street West. In addition, they will use proper directional signage and restrict work to normal working hours as much as possible.

Although some noise is unavoidable, in Carillion’s experience, the noise level associated with its commercial construction is manageable and has not adversely impacted the community.

4. How early/late will you be making noise? What are the hours that you will be building?

In September 2010, Carillion received some noise exemptions from the City of Toronto, which means that Carillion is now able to work on the CAMH Queen Street site as follows:

Weekdays, 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturdays, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sundays, 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Some of the noise that can be expected includes hammering, trucks arriving and leaving, trucks beeping as they back up, and voices from workers.

Some examples of when work will need to be carried out during these extended hours include:

After a concrete floor has been poured, it is necessary to smooth the concrete finish for hours using power equipment. Sometimes the concrete finishing activities will extend well into the evening thereby requiring a small crew to work late until the concrete is finished.
The weather often plays a role in timing. In the event construction activities such as steel erection are delayed due to rain, then it might be necessary for Carillion to work longer hours or on weekends to recover the lost time.

To date, CAMH has received very few noise complaints. It seems that noise associated with the CAMH construction has been manageable and has not adversely impacted the community. Carillion will continue to take all reasonable precautions to ensure noise is managed appropriately during the construction.

5. How does CAMH expect me to work in such a hostile environment?

Please see the answer to question number 3 above. As mentioned there, in Carillion’s experience, the work environment will not be adversely affected.

It should be noted that Carillion has experience with constructing hospitals, whereby additional stories have been added atop fully operational clinical buildings without adverse impacts to the hospitals.

Through proper planning and management of the works, Carillion intends to deliver the same results at CAMH.

6. Are you using the best technology available to minimize noise and impact on the neighbourhood?

In Carillion's experience, the best way to reduce noise is through proper planning and management of the work. Carillion has performed extensive planning and consultation with CAMH to ensure the impact on the neighbourhood is minimized.

7. In the past, we have heard incessant beeping from trucks backing up. Can you turn these unnecessary sounds off in a closed construction site?

Beeping sounds are safety features that benefit site personnel, as well as the public. These cannot be turned off. It is important to note, however, that Carillion plans to manage truck traffic on site in such a way as to minimize the need for reversing, thereby reducing noise.

8. How is my loved one supposed to get well with all this noise?

Carillion will minimize the noise created by construction through proper planning and management. These efforts will be supported by pro-active communication with CAMH in order to provide advance notice of activities that have the potential to be unusually noisy or disruptive. This kind of communication will allow both CAMH and Carillion to mitigate the effects of construction as much as possible and continue to provide a recovery-oriented atmosphere at CAMH.

9. Am I going to be given ear plugs?

Ear plugs will not be necessary in the community.

10. Do we need to worry abut our homes being affected?

No. Based on Carillion’s experience, construction should not adversely impact homes and local businesses.

11. Is there any possibility of structural damage to our homes?

No, Carillion cannot forsee a possibility of this happening considering the location of the construction site in relation to the nearest home.

12. How will this affect our property values?

We are not aware of any construction-related issues that could affect property values.

13. Will traffic flow on Queen Street or other streets be affected? When and for how long?

Local residents and businesses will notice increased truck traffic on Queen Street West for the duration of the CAMH Redevelopment Project as is normal with a commercial construction project, however this is not expected to adversely interfere with the community.

Carillion will employ traffic controls appropriate to the stage of construction. For example, they will use a “flagperson” to direct traffic in and out of the site at peak times thereby maintaining an efficient flow. Carillion will promote truck queues on the CAMH site rather than on Queen Street West when necessary. The Carillion team will also use signage to direct traffic in ways that are consistent with the overall flow of traffic in the vicinity.

Carillion will encourage its site personnel to take public transportation and to avoid parking on side streets in the community or on the CAMH site. This will preserve local parking for use by the community and CAMH clients, staff, and visitors.

14. What about parking?

Parking on the CAMH Queen Street site will be temporarily reduced during construction. Carillion will encourage its personnel to park off site, thereby maximizing the parking available for CAMH clients, visitors, and staff. CAMH has secured additional parking spaces nearby for its staff during the construction period.

It should be noted that when construction is complete, the parking capacity will be significantly improved.

15. Who do we complain to if these rules are not respected?

If you have any questions or concerns, contact CAMH’s Manager of Redevelopment Communications at 416 535-8501, ext. 3248. Carillion and CAMH will agree to a complaints procedure that will ensure concerns are addressed in a timely and satisfactory manner.