crs1026
Superstar
I take my share of photos in Union Station. These days security is very vigilant and cameras attract security quickly - but the security staff are very polite and don't overreact. Mostly they observe and may not even say anything. No commercial filming, no tripods, and nothing 'creepy' ie architecture pix are fine but intrusive shots of children and young women are off limits.
PLEASE don't encourage security guards anywhere to hassle photographers unless you have serious reason to believe they are up to no good. I have been hassled for taking architecture shots of the Royal Bank Tower from the sidewalk on front street.... Union security is much more professional, but the average mall cop has little knowledge of the law, let alone the Charter of Rights.
- Paul
PLEASE don't encourage security guards anywhere to hassle photographers unless you have serious reason to believe they are up to no good. I have been hassled for taking architecture shots of the Royal Bank Tower from the sidewalk on front street.... Union security is much more professional, but the average mall cop has little knowledge of the law, let alone the Charter of Rights.
- Paul
raptor
Senior Member
Union Station Enhancement Project Moves Forward
July 18, 2017
TORONTO - Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx announced today progress to design, build and finance the Union Station Enhancement project continues with the prequalification of two teams. Infrastructure upgrades are required to accommodate the planned expansion of GO Transit rail service, which link into Union Station as the major transit hub in the City of Toronto.
Teams were selected based on criteria identified in the Request for Qualification (RFQ) process including, applicable design and construction experience and capacity to finance a project of this size and complexity.
The prequalified teams are:
EllisDon Infrastructure Transit
Major infrastructure updates are required to bring this level of service to communities across the region, including: adding track, modifying GO stations, improving rail crossings, building required systems for electrification and adding new locomotives and train control systems.
Ontario is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, public transit, roads and bridges in the province's history. To learn more about what's happening in your community, go to Ontario.ca/BuildON.
Quick Facts:
July 18, 2017
TORONTO - Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx announced today progress to design, build and finance the Union Station Enhancement project continues with the prequalification of two teams. Infrastructure upgrades are required to accommodate the planned expansion of GO Transit rail service, which link into Union Station as the major transit hub in the City of Toronto.
Teams were selected based on criteria identified in the Request for Qualification (RFQ) process including, applicable design and construction experience and capacity to finance a project of this size and complexity.
The prequalified teams are:
EllisDon Infrastructure Transit
- Constructor: EllisDon Civil Ltd.
- Designer: AECOM Canada Ltd.
- Financial Advisor: EllisDon Capital
- Constructor: Graham Construction & Engineering LP
- Designer: RJC Engineers
- Financial Advisor: Graham Capital Partners
Major infrastructure updates are required to bring this level of service to communities across the region, including: adding track, modifying GO stations, improving rail crossings, building required systems for electrification and adding new locomotives and train control systems.
Ontario is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, public transit, roads and bridges in the province's history. To learn more about what's happening in your community, go to Ontario.ca/BuildON.
Quick Facts:
- According to Ontario's 2017 Long-Term Report on the Economy, every $1 spent on public infrastructure has been shown to increase GDP by $6 in the long term.
- Infrastructure Ontario, collaborating with Metrolinx, is leading the procurement of the Union Station Enhancement project.
- The project is being delivered using IO's Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP) model, an innovative way of financing and procuring large, complex public infrastructure projects.
Markster
Senior Member
That Press Release is amazingly opaque.
I got that there are 2 teams shortlisted for the "Union Station Enhancement project".
But the last several paragraphs of "backgrounder" are completely useless at describing anything about this specific project. I can't tell where "this is what the project is" ends and aspirational "this is the 2025 end goal" begins.
I got that there are 2 teams shortlisted for the "Union Station Enhancement project".
But the last several paragraphs of "backgrounder" are completely useless at describing anything about this specific project. I can't tell where "this is what the project is" ends and aspirational "this is the 2025 end goal" begins.
raptor
Senior Member
For anyone that's unaware what this project is all about - it's the addition of platforms 28/29 to Union Station.
DSCToronto
Superstar
Great pics above from @Edward Skira and I was just there. In the east moat the pictures show the green waterproof membrane on the ground and at 4pm it was all covered by the (new) concrete. Moving right along! Poured almost up to the 'bridge' at the east end @ Bay Street.
While I was inside the station the fire bells started to ring and lights flashed. After a minute or so a voice announced something like "A fire alarm has been triggered, please remain calm and await instructions". Nobody seemed to be doing anything out of the ordinary but as I walked back out to York they were still ringing and announcing and Fire Trucks were arriving. Not quite sure how they would evacuate Union Station if it were a REAL emergency but it would certainly take time!
While I was inside the station the fire bells started to ring and lights flashed. After a minute or so a voice announced something like "A fire alarm has been triggered, please remain calm and await instructions". Nobody seemed to be doing anything out of the ordinary but as I walked back out to York they were still ringing and announcing and Fire Trucks were arriving. Not quite sure how they would evacuate Union Station if it were a REAL emergency but it would certainly take time!
AlvinofDiaspar
Moderator
rbt
Senior Member
Not finishing the rest of the train shed? That's disappointing. Phase 2 of the train shed work seems very susceptible to cost efficiency process (I.e. kill electrification modifications) if left to go through an election.
SaugeenJunction
Senior Member
Here are some preliminary public renderings of what the project will look like. There is a bit of inconsistency between them.
For reference, this is what the project entails, according to Infrastructure Ontario:
- Construction of a new platform, including a new roof structure
- Development of a new concourse area below the platform
- Safety and state of good repair works within the train shed
- A new emergency power system
AlvinofDiaspar
Moderator
That is not a carte blanche to be free from being asked about the filming by security/police.
AoD
AlvinofDiaspar
Moderator
I think some of the items from the original GO trainshed project are rolled over to USEP. So really is all big smoke and mirror games.
AoD
crs1026
Superstar
Well, police/security are supposed to have a valid reason before they stop or question a person. The premise that photography is a preparatory step to acts of terrorism does not hold water.
The valid reasons for stopping a photographer might be safety (tripods, or blocking pedestrian flow), customer relations (patrons or members of the public feeling uneasy due to too-intrusive photography) or even revenue (you'd be surprised how many places including city parks require a photography permit for anything more focussed than a selfie).
Sure, if somebody was taking detailed close up photos of the conduits feeding the station's main fire panel, they might invite questions. But as a general rule, leave the photographers alone.
- Paul
AlvinofDiaspar
Moderator
drum118
Superstar
July 21
Depending what happens to the east end as to when, we should see the roof go on early Aug as all the sealing material is in place for it. About 30' of framing still to be install. In one of the photos, you will see the water in that trough I spoke about.
They have the floor slab pour for the east end walkway in the moat area.
Depending what happens to the east end as to when, we should see the roof go on early Aug as all the sealing material is in place for it. About 30' of framing still to be install. In one of the photos, you will see the water in that trough I spoke about.
They have the floor slab pour for the east end walkway in the moat area.
DonValleyRainbow
Senior Member
*facepalm* I would not have guessed that from the press release, what a ridiculous and meaningless thing.
Here are some preliminary public renderings of what the project will look like. There is a bit of inconsistency between them.
For reference, this is what the project entails, according to Infrastructure Ontario:
Due to this project being somewhat separate from the current work at Union Station, does it merit its own thread?. It for sure isn't a small project.
- Construction of a new platform, including a new roof structure
- Development of a new concourse area below the platform
- Safety and state of good repair works within the train shed
- A new emergency power system
Of course there's inconsistency; the first one doesn't even show a track inbetween for you to board from platforms 27 or 28. Maybe it's for the Hogwarts Express and us muggles weren't meant to see the second rendering?