Amongst all of the construction going on at Union Station is work to complete the expansion of the subway station. On August 18th last year a new platform opened, allowing the old, narrow centre platform to be reworked, and that work has been continuing ever since. The TTC is conducting much of this work beyond regular service hours, but certain tasks still require temporary service interruptions, including frequent weekend partial closures.

Some new walls are in on the University platform at Union Station, image by UT Forum contributor salsa

Service on Line 1 was suspended between Union and St. Andrew Stations once again this past weekend to allow work to prepare for the installation of Toronto artist Stuart Reid's Zones of Immersion. The 500 foot-long and seven foot-high mural will depict images of subway life, interspersed with poetry and patches of colour. The public art installation will stand between the Yonge-bound and University-bound platforms, which have been divided since the opening of the new platform back in August.

Work continues to prepare for the new art glass wall at Union Station, image by UT Forum contributor salsa

At the same time the south side of the University-bound platform is being prepared for the art installation, the platform is seeing extensive work hidden behind orange tarpaulins to maximize the space for station users. 

The University platform at Union Station is still a major work zone, image by UT Forum contributor salsa

Though construction is ongoing, pedestrian and commuter flow through the station is seeing gradual improvement. New widened staircases, like the one pictured in the image below, are among several features opening in increments. Escalators and an elevator are still to come. Improvements are also being made to the concourse level above, where the new space will be both more spacious and simpler to use that the original configuration.

Stairs have been widened to the University platform at Union Station, image by UT Forum contributor salsa

Above the station, work is progressing on the beautification of Front Street between Bay and York Streets. There has been much more to the resurfacing project than the new pavers we see today; the project involved extensive below-grade services infrastructure work, such as the installation of hydro conduits, gas lines, sewers, and water mains.

Work continues above Union Subway Station on Front Street, image by UT Forum contributor salsa

More closures are planned for the stretch between Union and St. Andrew Stations on February 14 to 15 and February 28 to March 1. The TTC intends to complete work on the station in advance of the Pan Am Games in July of this year.

Additional information and renderings for the Union Station Second Platform project can be found in the associated dataBase file, linked below.