Dan416
Senior Member
Wait they started this massive dig on Queen Street, with the street fully closed, and they didn't even know what they were doing? And they still don't know? How is that possible?
- Thread starter JasonParis
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APTA-2048
Senior Member
Get ready everyone. Metrolinx is about to do something stupid.
GameOnBrad
Senior Member
I believe it's just a big open rectangle, like all the other stations that are planned. The only fixed points are the connections to street level and the bore holes. So, they can build the station within that rectangle or make changes beforehand and then backfill once complete.
I could be wrong but it seems logical.
I could be wrong but it seems logical.
nightstreak
Senior Member
They did but were surprised by unknown conditions as they proceeded. For example, the Simpsons building had to be underpinned and had its lower level columns and walls rebuilt along Queen while The Bay was still functioning. Constructing interchange stations where other active stations already exist is notoriously complex and needs to adapt throughout the build but this one in particular, in the heart of downtown near three historic buildings, high rise office complexes, an underground PATH and one of the busiest shopping malls in the country, is a few notches up from that.
Go ahead and ask Metrolinx for a cross section of Queen Station. You will get one for almost any other station you ask for but not Queen. Unless they're building an East Wing Ballroom under there, there's no reason for secrecy so the only other explanation is that it's not ready.
nightstreak
Senior Member
I managed to dig up some information. This was the original timeline (circa 2021):
Given that excavation for the Queen Station west site was supposed to be wrapped up and station works to begin in August 2025, and that excavation is planned to conclude some time this Summer 2026 instead, it may seem like they're only one year behind but the entire sequencing of stages has changed.
The urgency to reopen Queen Street has diminished with The Bay now shuttered and from what I've heard, the west shaft is going to remain open throughout station works for vertical delivery of materials instead of decking it early while work was to continue inside. The city has authorized a closure of Queen Street between Bay and Yonge until November 30th, 2029*, a 6.5 year closure instead of 4.
*Maybe someone with experience in researching TTC and/or Toronto Transportation roadworks can help me find this but a complete rebuild of Queen Street, including streetcar tracks from at least Bay to Victoria should be planned around that time, which would give us confirmation of this timeline.
Here's as close to a cross section of Queen Station as we'll get. Not the station itself but the station cavern during construction:
Given that excavation for the Queen Station west site was supposed to be wrapped up and station works to begin in August 2025, and that excavation is planned to conclude some time this Summer 2026 instead, it may seem like they're only one year behind but the entire sequencing of stages has changed.
The urgency to reopen Queen Street has diminished with The Bay now shuttered and from what I've heard, the west shaft is going to remain open throughout station works for vertical delivery of materials instead of decking it early while work was to continue inside. The city has authorized a closure of Queen Street between Bay and Yonge until November 30th, 2029*, a 6.5 year closure instead of 4.
*Maybe someone with experience in researching TTC and/or Toronto Transportation roadworks can help me find this but a complete rebuild of Queen Street, including streetcar tracks from at least Bay to Victoria should be planned around that time, which would give us confirmation of this timeline.
Here's as close to a cross section of Queen Station as we'll get. Not the station itself but the station cavern during construction:
kotsy
Senior Member
East Harbour Station update from yesterday:
And what's left to cover for the tunnel West of the Lower Don Crossing. They've been doing a section every 4 weeks or so and it looks like there is 2 or 3 sections left before it's completely enclosed.
And what's left to cover for the tunnel West of the Lower Don Crossing. They've been doing a section every 4 weeks or so and it looks like there is 2 or 3 sections left before it's completely enclosed.
DSCToronto
Superstar
Rebuilding the track from Bay (or York) to the place where excavation is now is “easy” as it should only be top layer . Obviously, it should be done when they rebuild new tracks above new station but it’s TC so who knows. They also need to rebuild Victoria from Dundas to Queen.
nightstreak
Senior Member
The point isn't whether it's "easy" or hard, it's that even though Metrolinx has stopped giving specific phased deadlines for the Ontario Line, there should be scheduled track reconstruction on the TTC or city planning roadmaps because both are far more transparent and accountable to the public. Their dates will give us information on the timeline for Queen Street re-opening.
A 4 year closure of such an important stretch of Queen Street, affecting people in all modes including pedestrians, was barely tolerable, and increasing that closure by 50% without informing the public or responding to public questions about it absolutely sucks. I'd love to know when the street will re-open.
DSCToronto
Superstar
You have things backwards. The TTC will fix the Queen Street when there is a street to fix. It does not matter what date is in TOInView If Metrolinx is still occupying the street and/or it is still an open pit because they are, predictably, behind schedule, the City cannot open it. I am also amused by your apparent faith in City and TTC plans always happening on schedule. As a frequent visitor to this Forum you might have seen many (far too many) examples of very very delayed City projects.