GO Transit: Union Station Shed Replacement & Track Upgrades (Zeidler)

[Allandale25]

Updates from the email newsletter on state of good repair work, the 81 Bay Street "overbuild", and the Yonge Street bridge work (noted above).

Regular Maintenance (state of good repair)

Work crews will be on Track 8, just east of Union Station replacing rail ties on Friday, October 18 from 8:00pm to 5:00am. As well, work crews will be replacing rail ties on Track E5 between Parliament and Cherry streets on Saturday, October 19, from 8:00pm to 5:00pm. This work may at times be very noisy with the use of heavy machinery and work vehicles.

Ongoing work - 81 Bay Overbuild

Work crews associated with the Hines CIBC 81 Bay Overbuild construction project are presently installing steel beams and columns to support the new pavilion that will eventually house several new restaurants within this new complex. The work is performed overnight, and although every attempt is taken to address levels of noise, work will be disturbing to some. Please note this work will continue for at least another 3 1/2 weeks, into November. [more text below this big picture]

Ongoing Significant Work Impact -Yonge Street Bridge - Walkway demolition

Yonge Street Bridge walkway demolition: This work is starting on October 15th 2019- October 23rd 2019 Night time 20:00 - 05:00 hours and will involve demolition and construction of new walkway.

Noise impacts will include jack-hammering, loud banging and hand saw cutting of concrete slabs. There may also be noise from removal of concrete debris. Work crews have been notified to do everything practical to mitigate noise impacts.

 

[Allandale25]

Blog post on the latest:

Metrolinx Press Room

Find the latest Metrolinx news, project updates and more.

blog.metrolinx.com

This is interesting:

New platform extensions have been added to Union Station for future use. (Scott Money photo)

And here’s an interesting detail customers can, while pointing out their train windows, share with fellow travellers. Metrolinx is extending some of the platforms by installing new concrete curbs and asphalt surfacing outside of the train-shed for future service needs.

The extensions, for future use, are shown at customer level. (Scott Money photo)

You can see these extensions as they push out from beyond the normal ends.

 

[Leo_Chan]

Blog post on the latest:

Metrolinx Press Room

Find the latest Metrolinx news, project updates and more.

blog.metrolinx.com

This is interesting:

It keeps mentioning for future use, but for what use exactly?

 

[Allandale25]

^ Also, can it handle a 12 coach train or only a 10 coach train? cc @smallspy

 

[AlbertHWagstaff]

One those screens are lit up (and the temporary lighting transfers to the new permanent lighting built into those utilities ducts)...

...It finally look like proper 21st century old-station-retrofit infrastructure rather than a Happy New Year 1963 dated train station platform look.

That's more like it. The Bay Concourse was Happy New Year 1983.

 

[DSC]

It keeps mentioning for future use, but for what use exactly?

Maybe a modern 21st century train station and transit hub?

 

[smallspy]

^ Also, can it handle a 12 coach train or only a 10 coach train? cc @smallspy

These "platform extensions" are simply refurbishments of the existing exterior platforms on those tracks. Nothing more than the usual Metrolinx spin.

For the record, the longest platform - between tracks 8 and 9 - is about 2800 feet long, which is longer than 3 L10s. The next-longest is the baggage platform between 7 and 8, and it's a little shy of 2600 feet.

Dan

 

[Allandale25]

^ thanks. Any sense on how the resurfaced platforms will be used?

 

[smallspy]

^ thanks. Any sense on how the resurfaced platforms will be used?

Well, they're currently already used (and were already used) by VIA, particularly for the Canadian.

As for how GO intends to use them, at least in the interim before they start dead-ending the tracks? That seems to be anyone's guess.

Dan

 

[mdrejhon]

It keeps mentioning for future use, but for what use exactly?

Double berthing is mentioned in the old Metrolinx 2031 document as a capacity improvement. I think I also saw that phrase in the 2015 RER Business Case (the multi hundred page PDF).

Theoretical use cases (not all necessarily applicable)
- Opposite direction trains (Milton versus Richmond Hill). Like two dead ends.
- Backup berth if part of platform is closed
- Live staging option (pre-berthing a peak train) to enable 24 coach preboarding for one route w/staggered departure
- Flex for two bunched trains, to reduce need for last-minute platform switch
- Less disruptive berth option for unexpectedly out-of-service train
- VIA Canadian ?
- Etc.

Signalling needs to be added to activate simultaneous double berth (like at UPX + Platform 3).

Not saying ALL of this will happen, they are just theoretical use cases.

 

[DSC]

From Metrolinx

Ongoing work - 81 Bay Overbuild​

Work crews associated with the Hines CIBC 81 Bay Overbuild construction project are presently installing steel beams and columns to support the new pavilion that will eventually house several new restaurants within this new complex. The work is performed overnight, and although every attempt is taken to address levels of noise, work will be disturbing to some. Please note this work will continue for at least another 3 1/2 weeks, into November.

 

[DSC]

From Metrolinx

Ongoing Significant Work Impact -Yonge Street Bridge - Walkway demolition​

Yonge Street Bridge walkway demolition: This work is starting on October 15th , and will be extended to October 29th Night time 20:00 - 05:00 hours and will involve demolition and construction of new walkway.

Noise impacts will include jack-hammering, loud banging and hand saw cutting of concrete slabs. There may also be noise from removal of concrete debris. Work crews have been notified to do everything practical to mitigate noise impacts.

 

[mburrrrr]

Looks like they need room for the supports for the electrical conduits over Yonge Street and a walkway too.

Does anyone know what all the electrical prep work is for? Back up power, an alternate source/switch gear for Union or future train electrification, or maybe track switching control?

 

[crs1026]

^The yellow utility markings in that aerial shot indicates gas lines for the switch heaters. All that conduit work is for the new signalling system. That implies both electrical supply for switch motors and signal lights, and wiring for track circuitry, the red markings.
There are new concrete pads for signals infrastructure, and new signals bungalows, going in all over. I expect it’s all electrification friendly, but not a sign that electrification itself is being advanced.

- Paul

 

[raptor]

19-137 - RFQ to Form an Alliance for the GO Expansion Union Station Enhancement Project

DESCRIPTION
GO EXPANSION UNION STATION ENHANCEMENT PROJECT (“USEP” or the “Project”)

Description of Project:
The purpose of the Project is to design and construct infrastructure upgrades required at Union Station, located in the City of Toronto, to accommodate the planned expansion of GO Transit rail services. This early works phase is required in advance of the larger GO Expansion Project (OnCorr) in order to facilitate future track closures for the reconstruction of platforms within the existing train shed, and to reduce the overall impact to the OnCorr construction schedule.

The USEP provides two wide platforms and a new concourse south of the existing trainshed. The new passenger concourse will span from Bay Street to York Street and connect into the existing Bay, VIA and York concourses to the north. The Project will reconstruct platforms 24/25 and 26/27, increasing the width and re-aligning track to permit higher speeds and allow for greater train and pedestrian throughput. The general scope includes the new concourse and associated platforms, canopies, vertical access, electrical and mechanical works, track and signal works, storm water management system and provisions for future modification for level boarding.