tarra_engineering_and_structural

300 Atkinson Avenue, Vaughan

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 18:58:25 GMT

The Project:
The 300 Atkinson Avenue development is a multi-storey residential project in Vaughan, Ontario, featuring modern structural design to support a combination of office, retail, and residential spaces. The project emphasizes efficient use of space and long-term structural integrity while complying with current building code standards.

Our Role
Tarra Engineering was retained to provide comprehensive structural engineering services for the design and coordination of the building’s structural systems. Our responsibilities included structural analysis, design of foundations, framing, and load-bearing elements, as well as collaboration with the client and other consultants to ensure constructability and code compliance.

How We Delivered
We developed detailed structural plans and calculations to optimize the use of materials and ensure the safety and stability of the building. This included designing reinforced concrete foundations and steel framing systems capable of supporting both residential and commercial loads. Throughout the project, we coordinated closely with architects, contractors, and other engineering disciplines, providing site reviews, design updates, and technical approvals to support smooth construction progress.

The Outcome
Our structural engineering solutions enabled efficient construction of a versatile, durable building capable of accommodating mixed-use occupancy. By integrating innovative design with practical construction considerations, Tarra Engineering helped deliver a project that meets the client’s functional needs and ensures long-term safety and reliability.

101 Bayly Street Pickering

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 20:14:12 GMT

The Project:

A new mixed-use residential development is planned at 101 Bayly Street in Pickering. The project will feature a multi-storey residential tower with supporting amenities and underground parking, designed to meet contemporary housing and urban design needs.

Our Role
Tarra Engineering is engaged as the structural consultant for the project, providing services from early schematic design through permit, tender, and construction administration. Our scope includes shoring design, structural framing, permit and tender drawings, and site review in accordance with Ontario Building Code and PEO guidelines.

How We Delivered
At the post-rezoning and site plan application stage, we provide design assist services, including schematic structural layouts and redline mark-ups to guide coordination between the architectural, mechanical, and envelope teams. We collaborate with consultants and a wind tunnel specialist to determine lateral resistance strategies and optimize the design for wind loads. As the project advances, we will prepare permit and tender drawings, coordinate through design meetings, and support the project with contract administration, shop drawing reviews, and monitoring during construction.

The Outcome
While construction has not yet begun, our structural design services are laying the foundation for a safe, efficient, and code-compliant building. By supporting early design coordination and delivering robust structural solutions, Tarra Engineering is helping advance a development that will contribute to sustainable urban growth and meet community housing needs.

415 Main Street, Hamilton

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 19:19:05 GMT

The Project:

A new seven-storey residential development at 415 Main Street West in Hamilton is set to bring over 80,000 square feet of living space above grade, supported by one level of underground parking. The building features a structural system combining hollow-core slab framing with structural stud, steel, and poured-in-place concrete.

Our Role
Tarra Engineering provided full structural engineering services for the development, from early schematic design through construction. Our scope included shoring design, structural framing, permit and tender drawings, contract administration, and site review in accordance with Ontario Building Code and PEO guidelines.

How We Delivered
During the early stages, our team supported post-rezoning and marketing efforts by providing schematic design solutions and redline mark-ups to guide the architectural, mechanical, and envelope strategies. We coordinated closely with the client, consultants, and a wind tunnel specialist to optimize the structural design for lateral resistance and wind load performance. As the project advanced, we developed detailed permit and tender drawings, attended coordination meetings, and oversaw site review, shop drawing review, and contract administration.

The Outcome
Our work enabled the successful progression of the 415 Main Street West development from planning through construction, ensuring safe, efficient, and code-compliant structural solutions. By providing expertise at every project stage, Tarra Engineering contributed to the delivery of a high-quality residential building that supports Hamilton’s urban growth and housing needs.

1 Thora Drive

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 15:55:26 GMT

The Project:

The Thora Avenue Storage Building Facilities in Scarborough required complex geostructural solutions at track level between Victoria Park Bridge and Signal 3279. This work involved significant safety and logistical challenges, including confined-space trenching and working-at-height requirements under MOL regulations.

Our Role
Tarra Engineering designed and implemented shoring and retaining wall systems and delivered a comprehensive Geotechnical Instrumentation and Monitoring (GIM) program. We collaborated with utility locators, contractors, and Metrolinx to coordinate the safe installation and monitoring of critical instruments.

How We Delivered
Our team managed complex site conditions through extensive coordination with multiple stakeholders, including Ontario One Call, PNR, Ledcor, Powell, and AECON. We installed and monitored instruments measuring track and ballast settlement, ground movements, inclinometers, and vibrations. All work was performed under stringent safety protocols for confined spaces and working at height.

The Outcome
Despite complicated utility coordination challenges, our monitoring program provided Metrolinx and its contractors with accurate, real-time data to support safe construction practices and protect vital transit infrastructure. The project reinforced our expertise in delivering geostructural solutions in highly constrained and safety-critical environments, contributing to the long-term resilience of Toronto’s transit system.

Mount Dennis Station - Eglinton Crosstown LRT

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 15:26:19 GMT

The Project:
Mount Dennis Station serves as the western terminus of Toronto’s Eglinton Crosstown LRT and is designed as a major transit hub, connecting GO Transit, TTC bus services, and the future SmartTrack line.

Our Role
Tarra Engineering provided construction-level designs and documentation for excavation shoring supporting tunnels, station structures, bridge piers, and train tracks. Our scope also included engineered drawings, specifications, and comprehensive monitoring plans.

How We Delivered
Working in close collaboration with project stakeholders, our team applied advanced geostructural engineering expertise to develop efficient, phased shoring solutions. Each design was tailored to site-specific constraints and project load requirements, ensuring constructability and safety.

The Outcome
Our solutions supported the safe and timely delivery of this critical piece of transit infrastructure. By enabling seamless integration of multiple transit systems, the project enhances mobility and strengthens Toronto’s sustainable urban growth.

Bloor & Dufferin Condos, TTC Pedestrian Tunnel

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 14:50:07 GMT

The Project:

A landmark redevelopment at Bloor and Dufferin is transforming the area with a five-tower, multi-owner mixed-use community. The project also features a new underground pedestrian tunnel connecting directly to Dufferin TTC Station, enhancing transit accessibility in the neighbourhood.

Our Role
Tarra Engineering designed the shoring systems and delivered a comprehensive monitoring program for all towers, the pedestrian tunnel, TTC Dufferin Station, and the heritage-designated Kent School. This included managing the complexities of sequenced excavation across multiple blocks.

How We Delivered
Our team employed a range of advanced techniques—including caissons, soldier piles with lagging, multi-level tiebacks, micropiles, tunneling, and road decking—to support excavation and the construction of the pedestrian tunnel and station connection. All work was completed while maintaining the safety of surrounding infrastructure and minimizing community disruption.

The Outcome
Our design and monitoring approach ensured safe excavation, safeguarded heritage structures, and supported efficient project delivery. By protecting critical transit infrastructure and managing complex site challenges, Tarra Engineering enabled smooth progress on one of Toronto’s most significant urban redevelopment projects.

Union City Markham

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 13:54:57 GMT

The Project:

A six-tower mixed-use development is underway near the GO Station on Enterprise Boulevard in Markham’s rapidly evolving Unionville district. This project brings significant new residential and commercial density adjacent to critical rail and transit infrastructure.

Our Role
Tarra Engineering designed shoring systems and delivered a comprehensive Geotechnical Instrumentation and Monitoring (GIM) program to support excavation activities and protect surrounding structures.

How We Delivered
We deployed precision instrumentation and monitoring solutions in line with Metrolinx specifications and standards. Our team provided real-time data collection and analysis to track ground and structural performance, ensuring excavation work proceeded safely while minimizing risks to adjacent rail lines, bridges, and infrastructure.

The Outcome
Our monitoring and design approach enhanced public safety and reduced excavation-related risks. By providing reliable data and responsive oversight, Tarra Engineering exceeded client expectations and ensured the stability of critical surrounding infrastructure throughout the construction process.

Finch West LRT

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 19:25:06 GMT

The Project:

Metrolinx undertook the construction of an 11-kilometre light rail transit line along Finch Avenue West, extending from Keele Street to Humber College. This major infrastructure project aimed to improve transit access in one of Toronto’s busiest corridors.

Our Role

Tarra Engineering delivered a comprehensive Geotechnical Instrumentation and Monitoring (GIM) program, which included the installation and ongoing monitoring of a variety of structural and environmental instruments.

How We Delivered

Working in coordination with utility locators and construction teams, our specialists installed and monitored instruments across multiple urban sites. Every step was completed in compliance with strict safety regulations while managing the challenges of concurrent construction activities in a dense urban environment.

The Outcome

Our monitoring program provided continuous, reliable data on structural and environmental conditions, supporting safe construction practices and regulatory compliance. This enabled Metrolinx to advance construction efficiently while safeguarding surrounding infrastructure and maintaining safety in a high-traffic corridor.

Mirvish Village, Toronto

Tue, 18 Feb 2020 14:42:39 GMT

The massive mixed‐use redevelopment of the Honest Ed’s and Mirvish Village includes six main towers of up to thirty storeys, offering over 800 modern residential and commercial units in Downtown Toronto’s Annex area (Bloor & Bathurst neighbourhood).

Tarra Engineering and GFL Environmental were retained to design and to provide excavation shoring services for the project. Excavation shoring was required on two adjacent lots, namely the west property and the massive east property, where most of the future towers are to be constructed. West property consisted of two underground levels while the east property consisted of four underground levels.

All work had to be designed and completed in the vicinity of existing retail stores and residential houses, including selected heritage façade and buildings that are to be preserved.

Eighteen‐meter deep caisson shoring wall was designed with four levels of tieback to retain the groundwater and to minimize the ground movement of the surrounding properties. Main challenge of this project is the shoring design around the holdout property on the east side of the project site. North and west side shoring wall was supported by tiebacks and south side shoring wall was supported by tie‐rods.

3D model analysis was conducted to ensure that the tiebacks and tie‐rods did not interfere with each other. Due to the narrow width of the holdout property in comparison to the depth of the excavation, king pile steel 3D structural system was designed to stabilize the soil mass under the holdout property against the lateral load from the soil pressure, as well as the estimated seismic load in conformance to the building code requirement.

Services Provided:

Prepare shoring design and complete drawings required for Construction stage
Carry out site visits and complete site reports
Obtain approvals as required

Abacus Loft, Toronto

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 12:53:42 GMT

The mixed-use development includes a eight-storey modern concrete structure boutique condominium and commercial building in the west end of Toronto. The architecturally complex building consists of large cantilever floor plates that are supported on deep foundations. The project design and construction was significantly complex due to the large overhang terraces and extremely limited space and poor ground condition.

The reinforced concrete structure is comprised of flat slab and shear and load bearing walls that were supported on the second floor transfer floor that is comprised of transfer slab and transfer beams.

The mixed-use development includes one level of underground parking. Shoring was required on all sides of the new underground structures and consisted of caissons and soldier pile and lagging supported by tiebacks and rakers as needed.

Services Provided:

Prepare shoring and structural design and complete drawings required for Encroachment Agreement, Permit, Tender and Construction stage
Review and provide inspection of construction
Obtain approvals as required

CPR Morningside Grade Separation, Toronto

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 12:30:52 GMT

A grade separation to create a six lane subway beneath the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) necessitated construction of seven new, deep-founded structures: two abutments, one pier and four retaining walls. These structures are all supported by micropile foundations designed by Tarra Engineering.

The scope of work for this project required the removal of an existing CPR structure, the construction of a new CPR structure utilizing temporary trestles to maintain rail traffic during construction and the installation of the new structure. The sub-structure was constructed beneath the temporary trestles. The superstructure was installed during a period of 12 hours.

Micropiles were proposed post-tender by prime contractor Soncin Construction as an alternative to the specified 324 mm driven tube piles. The site is underlain by a significant aquifer under artesian head.

The proposed and eventually accepted micropile scheme was based on using five micropiles for roughly every three driven piles in order to reduce the unit loading on individual micropiles to acceptably low loads so that no micropile had to be embedded lower than the aquifer.

In order to support the staging necessary to keep both the CPR tracks and Morningside Ave. open throughout construction, an 8 metre track protection shoring supporting parts of track loading were designed by Tarra Engineering.

Services Provided:

Complete design and construction coordination of temporary shoring and alternative foundation
Review and provide inspection of construction
Obtain approvals as required

TTC Sheppard Avenue Grade Separation, Toronto

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 12:26:10 GMT

A grade separation for Stouffville line at Sheppard Street East was constructed to allow for traffic pass through and underpass.

The scope of work for this project included design of temporary track protection structure, earth retention structure and temporary support for utilities and underground structure to allow construction of bridge abutments and separation walls.

The project required installation of soldier pile and lagging along the track and Sheppard Avenue East.

Services Provided:

Complete design and production of construction documents
Review and provide inspection of construction
Obtain approvals as required

York Spadina Subway Extension, Toronto

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 12:22:56 GMT

As part of the subway expansion, OHL-FCC Limited Partnership was awarded the construction of multiple numbers of stations and auxiliary shafts. Tarra Engineering & Structural Consultants Inc. was awarded the design and production of construction drawings for 407/Jane Street, the extraction shaft known as South WYE and a number of access and air shafts.

South WYE is a very large 21m x 60 x 20m deep excavation shoring comprised mainly of interlocking caisson wall with a soft head wall (constructed with fibre reinforced construction) to be cut and cored by a TBM machine.

The king piles were W610 x 155 and support was comprised of mainly 3 levels of 610 mm and 720 mm diameter steel pile or HSS.

The design and construction was coordinated with verity of restrictions that includes the heavy traffic loading (construction and street traffic), support for existing above grade and underground utilities and most importantly to allow extraction of the TBM, construction and connection of the shaft to adjoining existing shaft.

The construction was completed in 8 months and Tarra Engineering personnel had reviewed and monitored the progress and quality throughout the work.

Services Provided:

Complete design and production of construction documents
Review and provide inspection of construction
Obtain approvals as required

The Simcoe Street Extension, Toronto

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 12:18:46 GMT

To improve traffic condition at the area of Metro Convention Centre and Rogers Centre, the Simcoe Street TTR rail and was extended below the railway yard to connect Simcoe Street to lower Simcoe Street. The final underpass will be 246 feet in length and 90 feet wide.

The project’s General Contractor Soncin Construction Corporation retained Anchor Shoring & Caissons Ltd and Tarra Engineering was also retained by the contractor to design the shoring structure. Four parallel lines of shoring were required to create two trenches to allow the excavation and construction of the piers and abutments. Temporary trestle bridge supports were required to support 13 train tracks over each of the two trenches.

All work had to be designed and completed in the vicinity of an operational rail yard and live train traffic with only limited track closures permitted. Just to the east of the rail yard is Ontario’s largest train station, serviced by VIA, GO and Amtrak.

The project required installation of 126 soldier piles immediately adjacent and in some cases even below the train tracks. The soldier piles were required to support vertical loads from the temporary train trestles and permanent loads from the structure. To accommodate complex load transfer a bolted splice connection method was used for soldier pile splicing and connection. It was necessary to design this connection to withstand both vertical and lateral loads. There were 37 – 1 inch bolts per splice plus the required splice plates.

Two open cut trenches intersected 13 live train tracks. It was necessary to install temporary steel trestle bridges to support the trains above the open cut during excavation and construction. The vertical load from the trains was supported on W24 x 162 piles, which were socketed into the shale bedrock. It was also necessary to install sheeting for soil retention and an upper row of bracing for lateral support of the shoring. Proactive planning and coordination between all of the parties involved in the weekend

operations were key to ensuring that the trains would run as scheduled for the Monday morning rush hour.

There were a total of three bracing levels required to provide lateral support to the shoring system. Continuous walers were installed at each of the three levels and struts were installed between the opposing shoring walls.

It was also necessary to design and construct the shoring in two stages due to track relocation, signal work and demolition at the north end of the site. In order to accommodate this phasing, bulkhead shoring walls were installed.

Services Provided:

Complete design and production of construction drawings
Review and provide inspection of construction
Obtain approvals as required

World on Yonge, Markham

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 10:53:43 GMT

The mixed-use development includes three levels of underground parking. Shoring was required on all four sides of the new underground structures and consisted of soldier pile and lagging supported by tiebacks.

Services Provided:

Prepare shoring design and complete drawings required for Encroachment Agreement, Permit, Tender, Construction and As-Built stage
Carry out site visits and complete site reports
Write certificates of substantial completion of shoring
Obtain approvals as required

Beacon Condos, Toronto

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 10:53:43 GMT

The mixed-use development includes four levels of underground parking. Shoring was required on all four sides of the new underground structures and consisted of caissons and soldier pile and lagging supported by tiebacks. The new development is within the vicinity of the TTC infrastructure and required coordination and review with TTC.

Services Provided:

Prepare shoring design and complete drawings required for Encroachment Agreement, TTC Review and Approval, Permit, Tender, Construction and As-Built stage
Carry out site visits and complete site reports
Write certificates of substantial completion of shoring
Obtain approvals as required

Grand Palace Condos, Richmond Hill

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 10:53:43 GMT

The mixed-use development includes two full levels and a partial third level of underground parking. Shoring was required on all sides of the new underground structures and consisted of caissons and soldier pile and lagging supported by tiebacks.

Services Provided:

Prepare shoring design and complete drawings required for SPA Approval, Permit, Tender and Construction stage
Carry out site visits and complete site reports
Write certificates of substantial completion of shoring
Obtain approvals as required