Swarley
Active Member
Looks like this will finally get going next year. Four years seems awfully long for an additional platform though... is that normal?
Toronto Union Station Revitalization | ?m | ?s | City of Toronto | NORR
Looks like this will finally get going next year. Four years seems awfully long for an additional platform though... is that normal?
AKS
Senior Member
It's Canada.
Jayomatic
Active Member
I thought the moat between Union and the TTC station was to have a glass roof. Not very inspiring that's for sure. Glad to see there is more space though.
TOareaFan
Superstar
And this was one of the projects that we promised the world would be finished prior to the commencement of the 2008 Olympics! Kinda funny that it will be nearly 2 years after those Olympics that it actually gets started!
No wonder there is a cynical tone to all infrastructure discussions/debates!
nfitz
Superstar
Presumably that's part of the rebuild of the train station, rather than the subway station.
DSC
Superstar
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The TTC document referenced above says:
Moat
A new 37 metre wide stair will be constructed in the moat as shown in Appendix 3. These stairs will be removed by the City as part of their “Dig Down†project, thereby providing a stairless, accessible connection from the TTC concourse level to the proposed lower level in the Union Railway Station.
The City has plans to construct a permanent cover over the moat in 2014. The existing pedestrian canopy will be removed as part of the construction. Staff are still reviewing options to either have the City accelerate the cover or install a temporary canopy. However, in the interim, heat tracing will be provided on the stairs to melt snow and ice.
The stairs will be finished in a broomed concrete surface and the remaining moat floor will be reinstated as per the existing asphalt finish.
Ansem
Banned
Relief on way for TTC’s cramped Union Station subway
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/...y-for-ttc-s-cramped-union-station-subway.aspx
By Allison Hanes, National Post
Within five years Union Station’s cramped central subway platform for the Yonge-University-Spadina line will be separated in two and doubled in size to create more space for waiting passengers, widen stairwells, and a seamless connection to the Queens Quay streetcar loop.
The $137.5-million project has been years in the planning, but heads to tomorrow’s Toronto Transit Commission meeting for final approval so work can get under way early next year.
The subway platform overhaul is in addition to a $640-million restoration of Union Station that will create new GO Transit concourses, Via passenger lounges, retail zones and links to the underground PATH system.
But Adam Giambrone, chair of the TTC, said the subway-level upgrade is perhaps the most crucial component of bringing Canada’s largest transportation hub into the 21st century.
“The problem here is that both the platform and the upper concourse level cannot safely and functionally accommodate the volumes today, first of all, but more importantly the increased volumes that that new [East Queens Quay streetcar] line and all the people who will be living in the waterfront and using Union Station as their primary subway station,†he said. “When there’s a problem on the line or in some cases after a situation, we have to run trains slower into the stations. There’s a real risk of people accidentally being pushed.â€
Mr. Giambrone said Union Station’s central platform was built smaller than just about any other on Toronto’s subway system due to the size constraints of adding the modern service to a Beaux Arts building.
The plan calls for a brand new platform (pictured above) to be built south of the existing one. Right now a single central platform serves both the Yonge and University-Spadina lines. But the renovation calls for a one dedicated waiting area for each, doubling the amount of space but requiring passengers switching lines to go upstairs and over as they must in most other stations.
However the big challenge will be conducting the disruptive work on the subway platform at the same time as Union Station becomes one giant construction site between 2010 and 2015.
“The fastest way to do this work would be to close the station, but obviously that’s not a practical option. The station itself will remain open,†Mr. Giambrone said. “People will face some inconveniences, but that’s how we’re going to go about doing it.â€
The redesign of the subway deck, to be completed by 2014, also calls for a much sleeker look and the introduction of public art. Wider stairwells will be trimmed with glass and stainless steel rails and feature bicycle channels. Pillars will be clad in brushed steel. Orange and brown tiles will be replaced with cool white and grey porcelain. The concourse above the platform, including the ticket booths, is slated for remodeling in the same colour scheme.
Another important feature of the platform renovation is an improved connection to a reconstructed Queen’s Quay streetcar loop, which is still in the planning as the TTC and Waterfront Toronto seek to figure out how to reconfigure it for both the existing lines to the west and an intended new route in the east.
“Union Station from a waterfront transportation standpoint will be a critical piece in terms of getting people down to the waterfront,†said Michelle Noble, communications director for Waterfront Toronto. “Most people arrive by subway, so it’s one of the critical links in the overall transportation pie.â€
It will be a key access point to the rest of the city for existing residents of the waterfront, she said, as well as those who will live and work in new zones that are slated for massive development in the next decades, including Queen’s Quay East, the East Bayfront ad West Donlands.
“It’s all a big jigsaw puzzle,†said Ms. Noble.
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/...y-for-ttc-s-cramped-union-station-subway.aspx
By Allison Hanes, National Post
Within five years Union Station’s cramped central subway platform for the Yonge-University-Spadina line will be separated in two and doubled in size to create more space for waiting passengers, widen stairwells, and a seamless connection to the Queens Quay streetcar loop.
The $137.5-million project has been years in the planning, but heads to tomorrow’s Toronto Transit Commission meeting for final approval so work can get under way early next year.
The subway platform overhaul is in addition to a $640-million restoration of Union Station that will create new GO Transit concourses, Via passenger lounges, retail zones and links to the underground PATH system.
But Adam Giambrone, chair of the TTC, said the subway-level upgrade is perhaps the most crucial component of bringing Canada’s largest transportation hub into the 21st century.
“The problem here is that both the platform and the upper concourse level cannot safely and functionally accommodate the volumes today, first of all, but more importantly the increased volumes that that new [East Queens Quay streetcar] line and all the people who will be living in the waterfront and using Union Station as their primary subway station,†he said. “When there’s a problem on the line or in some cases after a situation, we have to run trains slower into the stations. There’s a real risk of people accidentally being pushed.â€
Mr. Giambrone said Union Station’s central platform was built smaller than just about any other on Toronto’s subway system due to the size constraints of adding the modern service to a Beaux Arts building.
The plan calls for a brand new platform (pictured above) to be built south of the existing one. Right now a single central platform serves both the Yonge and University-Spadina lines. But the renovation calls for a one dedicated waiting area for each, doubling the amount of space but requiring passengers switching lines to go upstairs and over as they must in most other stations.
However the big challenge will be conducting the disruptive work on the subway platform at the same time as Union Station becomes one giant construction site between 2010 and 2015.
“The fastest way to do this work would be to close the station, but obviously that’s not a practical option. The station itself will remain open,†Mr. Giambrone said. “People will face some inconveniences, but that’s how we’re going to go about doing it.â€
The redesign of the subway deck, to be completed by 2014, also calls for a much sleeker look and the introduction of public art. Wider stairwells will be trimmed with glass and stainless steel rails and feature bicycle channels. Pillars will be clad in brushed steel. Orange and brown tiles will be replaced with cool white and grey porcelain. The concourse above the platform, including the ticket booths, is slated for remodeling in the same colour scheme.
Another important feature of the platform renovation is an improved connection to a reconstructed Queen’s Quay streetcar loop, which is still in the planning as the TTC and Waterfront Toronto seek to figure out how to reconfigure it for both the existing lines to the west and an intended new route in the east.
“Union Station from a waterfront transportation standpoint will be a critical piece in terms of getting people down to the waterfront,†said Michelle Noble, communications director for Waterfront Toronto. “Most people arrive by subway, so it’s one of the critical links in the overall transportation pie.â€
It will be a key access point to the rest of the city for existing residents of the waterfront, she said, as well as those who will live and work in new zones that are slated for massive development in the next decades, including Queen’s Quay East, the East Bayfront ad West Donlands.
“It’s all a big jigsaw puzzle,†said Ms. Noble.
Last edited:
simply Dan
Active Member
FINALLY!!! They can’t start work on this station expansion fast enough.
I’m happy to see they updated the station renderings as well – very sleek!
I’m happy to see they updated the station renderings as well – very sleek!
Roy G Biv
Senior Member
I've been using the current platform for a few years now, and it can get pretty dicey after 5... This expansion is desperately needed.
I wonder how they'll accomodate us riders during the years of construction...
I wonder how they'll accomodate us riders during the years of construction...
Ansem
Banned
nfitz
Superstar
They should be able to pretty much construct the second platform, without touching the first platform - though I'm sure there will be a lot of hoarding up on the mezzanine. Once the second platform is complete and operational, they can block off half of the old platform, and start rebuilding ...
Jonny5
Senior Member
One of the "retail" spaces in the subway mezzanine had a lot of workers toiling away in it last night.
I couldn't tell if they were dismantaling the place or constructing something new.
Was there something in that space before? This is the spot opposite that ghastly "Transit Stuff" store.
I couldn't tell if they were dismantaling the place or constructing something new.
Was there something in that space before? This is the spot opposite that ghastly "Transit Stuff" store.
Woodbridge_Heights
Senior Member
It was a photo shop IIRC. Like the kind where you buy film and have it developed.
Long Island Mike
Senior Member
Union Station - TTC Subway station renovation...
Everyone: Interesting pics and renderings of proposed renovation to the TTC's
Union Station subway station - I remember that this station was not designed back in the 50s to handle the transfer traffic from trains at Union Station.
I remember that after the new GO station area opened in mid 1979 that
a "bottleneck" of sorts was created linking this area to the Subway station
and I recall the crush of commuters using it during peak hours. To the TTC's
credit they are aware of the problems there and they are willing to try and accomodate the large number of riders using it each day.
Union Station is a "gateway" of sorts to the TTC Subway - it was for me back in my early travels to Toronto - and it should be modified to reflect its high usage. Thoughts by LI MIKE
Everyone: Interesting pics and renderings of proposed renovation to the TTC's
Union Station subway station - I remember that this station was not designed back in the 50s to handle the transfer traffic from trains at Union Station.
I remember that after the new GO station area opened in mid 1979 that
a "bottleneck" of sorts was created linking this area to the Subway station
and I recall the crush of commuters using it during peak hours. To the TTC's
credit they are aware of the problems there and they are willing to try and accomodate the large number of riders using it each day.
Union Station is a "gateway" of sorts to the TTC Subway - it was for me back in my early travels to Toronto - and it should be modified to reflect its high usage. Thoughts by LI MIKE
Ansem
Banned
$137.5M makeover for Union
http://thestar.ca/news/gta/article/687077
Toronto Transit Commission councillors approved a $137.5 million makeover of the TTC's Union Station presence yesterday, including a second subway platform, expanded entry points to accommodate double the current number of passengers and a brighter look.
Financed by Waterfront Toronto, the renovation is to begin next year, with completion expected in 2014.
At 6.9 metres wide, the Union station platform is among the narrowest in the city's subway system because of structural restrictions of the 1927 station.
The new platforms will be about 10 metres wide and better able to cope with the surge of riders that arrives at rush hours and before and after big events at the Air Canada Centre and Rogers Centre, said TTC chair Adam Giambrone.
The biggest challenge of the project will be keeping the station operational during construction and coordinating work on the platforms with other work going on at Union over the same period.
The project will have to be carefully staged, and in some cases construction will take place in small areas, according to transit officials.
The TTC project is in addition to a $640 million facelift of the main Union Station, slated for completion in 2015, and an expanded streetcar loop, the total cost of which still isn't known.
Subway Platform
Currently, riders boarding the Yonge and University subway lines at Union do so from a single central platform. A second platform will be built to the south, with a direct connection to the underground streetcar station that will accommodate LRT passengers heading to new development along the waterfront.
Escalators and elevators going up to the concourse area will be moved to the south edge of the existing platform from the centre of the platform and will line up with a new art feature wall.
New stairs, with bike channels and non-slip treads, will be built at the east end of both platforms and a new automatic entrance will be built at the Brookfield Place tunnel at the east end of the station.
The Moat
One of the city's less pleasant public places, the moat area used by GO commuters to enter the subway or the PATH system to Toronto's business district will get an expanded – though temporary – entry point via a 37-metre wide staircase. Once the larger Union Station renovation is complete, the moat will be connected to the TTC concourse without stairs.
The canopy that currently covers the pedestrian area will be removed during construction, and a permanent roof will be added in 2014. The city is still pondering whether to move up the timeline on the roof or install a temporary canopy.
subway Concourse
The stairs leading to the centre platform will be moved to the south edge of that platform.
A series of ramps will connect the moat and concourse levels.
The two collector booths will be replaced by three central booths and an accessible gate.
Streetcar loop
Transit commissioners approved $11 million in initial expenses for design and engineering of the streetcar loop that enters Union Station underground from the waterfront line on Queens Quay. The current loop is already operating at capacity, with cars queuing up in the tunnel to board and unload passengers.
The plan would expand the streetcar platforms so that two, or conceivably three, vehicles can be boarding passengers at one time, said Giambrone.
The project will probably begin next year, and "it's going to be designed so it can be expanded," he said.
When the waterfront is fully built out some years from now, 5 per cent of the TTC's ridership will ride those lakeshore routes – more than the Spadina streetcar currently carries, Giambrone said.
http://thestar.ca/news/gta/article/687077
Toronto Transit Commission councillors approved a $137.5 million makeover of the TTC's Union Station presence yesterday, including a second subway platform, expanded entry points to accommodate double the current number of passengers and a brighter look.
Financed by Waterfront Toronto, the renovation is to begin next year, with completion expected in 2014.
At 6.9 metres wide, the Union station platform is among the narrowest in the city's subway system because of structural restrictions of the 1927 station.
The new platforms will be about 10 metres wide and better able to cope with the surge of riders that arrives at rush hours and before and after big events at the Air Canada Centre and Rogers Centre, said TTC chair Adam Giambrone.
The biggest challenge of the project will be keeping the station operational during construction and coordinating work on the platforms with other work going on at Union over the same period.
The project will have to be carefully staged, and in some cases construction will take place in small areas, according to transit officials.
The TTC project is in addition to a $640 million facelift of the main Union Station, slated for completion in 2015, and an expanded streetcar loop, the total cost of which still isn't known.
Subway Platform
Currently, riders boarding the Yonge and University subway lines at Union do so from a single central platform. A second platform will be built to the south, with a direct connection to the underground streetcar station that will accommodate LRT passengers heading to new development along the waterfront.
Escalators and elevators going up to the concourse area will be moved to the south edge of the existing platform from the centre of the platform and will line up with a new art feature wall.
New stairs, with bike channels and non-slip treads, will be built at the east end of both platforms and a new automatic entrance will be built at the Brookfield Place tunnel at the east end of the station.
The Moat
One of the city's less pleasant public places, the moat area used by GO commuters to enter the subway or the PATH system to Toronto's business district will get an expanded – though temporary – entry point via a 37-metre wide staircase. Once the larger Union Station renovation is complete, the moat will be connected to the TTC concourse without stairs.
The canopy that currently covers the pedestrian area will be removed during construction, and a permanent roof will be added in 2014. The city is still pondering whether to move up the timeline on the roof or install a temporary canopy.
subway Concourse
The stairs leading to the centre platform will be moved to the south edge of that platform.
A series of ramps will connect the moat and concourse levels.
The two collector booths will be replaced by three central booths and an accessible gate.
Streetcar loop
Transit commissioners approved $11 million in initial expenses for design and engineering of the streetcar loop that enters Union Station underground from the waterfront line on Queens Quay. The current loop is already operating at capacity, with cars queuing up in the tunnel to board and unload passengers.
The plan would expand the streetcar platforms so that two, or conceivably three, vehicles can be boarding passengers at one time, said Giambrone.
The project will probably begin next year, and "it's going to be designed so it can be expanded," he said.
When the waterfront is fully built out some years from now, 5 per cent of the TTC's ridership will ride those lakeshore routes – more than the Spadina streetcar currently carries, Giambrone said.