Caption: CN M420W 2516 handles a ballast hopper amid construction going on for the St. Clair Avenue East grade separation in Scarborough, as a worker stops traffic to direct a GMC dump truck working on the site. This is likely the temporary road diversion crossing installed next to the actual crossing (closed and to be ripped up for the grade separation work), which could explain the new crossing signals installed but not yet active (no crossing gates yet!)

This busy 4-track grade crossing next to GO's Scarborough Station on CN's Kingston Sub mainline was the site of a fatal collision in December 1975 between a TTC bus that got stuck on the crossing (due to issues with a faulty rear door interlock) and an eastbound Lakeshore line GO train running express. Part of the aftermath was a stronger push for a grade separation here, construction of which began two years later in 1977. Apparently the location had been earmarked for a grade separation for years, but kept being put off. Judging by the proximity of Midland Avenue (also grade separated at the same time, see 1977 view) and the junction between the CN Kingston and Uxbridge Subs in the area, a grade separation here was probably considered an extensive project.

See a before aerial view in 1970 (grade crossing at bottom left) vs a during construction view in 1977, vs an after aerial view in 1981

Mike Mastin photo, Dan Dell'Unto collection slide.