[WB62]

I really don’t understand why Metrolinx thought using movable signs to point people towards platform 21 was a good idea.

The only sign in this photo that actually leads people to platform 21 is the wall mounted sign:

Platform 21 literally never moves, a clearer route could be established by replacing the adjustable signs with permanent ones.

 

[Civdis]

Appreciate that!

I absolutely agree this is the perfect chance to direct people away from the main station, and these bridges help with that, but (at least from what we’ve been able to gather so far) don’t take perfect advantage of that opportunity.

The diagrams of the bridges in the USEP documents show where each platform entrance is going to be. The Yonge Street bridge appears to be missing one of the shorter eastern platforms (second from the top):

View attachment 637694

And the York Street Bridge appears to be missing multiple western platforms, including the southernmost (bottom) platform. Not extending the bridge a little bit further to cover the southernmost platform is a huge missed opportunity to me:

View attachment 637693

I strongly believe a Simcoe Teamway or full concourse between York and Simcoe would be justified with a platform layout like this.

Using the most extreme example possible, each red arrow is a crush loaded coach carrying 300 people. Under the potential arrangement with just the York Bridge, this is going to result in extremely overcrowded bridge and Teamway entrances:

View attachment 637717

With a Simcoe Teamway and just one additional entrance on the far ends of the west platforms, these numbers can get cut in half. This Teamway would also be within only a few hundred metres of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre & Roger’s Centre, allowing convention and event crowds to directly avoid entering the station:

View attachment 637718
(The entrance directly in the middle of the image should say 750, not 900)

I didn’t make an example with a fully built out Simcoe Concourse, but you can imagine how these crowds could be further divided with 1-2 more entrances per platform.

The old (assumed cancelled or rolled into GO Expansion) USEP package 3 had plans for concourses between Simcoe & York, as well as one between Bay and Yonge. I’m assuming these plans were cancelled and superseded by the bridges:

View attachment 637719

Wow, some amazing info here, thanks! Is there a schedule for all of the new platforms in the corridor and two new bridge access points at Yonge and Simcoe?

 

[Dan416]

I really don’t understand why Metrolinx thought using movable signs to point people towards platform 21 was a good idea.

The only sign in this photo that actually leads people to platform 21 is the wall mounted sign:

View attachment 638634

Platform 21 literally never moves, a clearer route could be established by replacing the adjustable signs with permanent ones.

I'm very familiar with debarking from Platform 21 because my Milton train always comes in on Platform 21 in the morning. But it always leaves from Platform 4 in the evening. Not sure why that is, but if I had to guess, platforms 4 and 21 are the most out of the way platforms, so maybe they avoid the lines with more frequent trains? Does anyone know the actual reason?

 

[WB62]

I'm very familiar with debarking from Platform 21 because my Milton train always comes in on Platform 21 in the morning. But it always leaves from Platform 4 in the evening. Not sure why that is, but if I had to guess, platforms 4 and 21 are the most out of the way platforms, so maybe they avoid the lines with more frequent trains? Does anyone know the actual reason?

To be clear I’m not commenting on the use of platform 21 by GO, I’m commenting on specifically the way platform 21 signage is handled. No other platform at Union uses movable signs that can be placed incorrectly

 

[Dan416]

To be clear I’m not commenting on the use of platform 21 by GO, I’m commenting on specifically the way platform 21 signage is handled. No other platform at Union uses movable signs that can be placed incorrectly

Oh I know. It was just a side note lol. Sorry!

 

[just east of the creek]

A quick walk around the block.

View attachment 637269

View attachment 637268

Is this installation completed? Did we really pay for a firm from the UK to engineer some blocks? (please, we did not import these …… blocks?)

 

[Bojaxs]

Is this installation completed? Did we really pay for a firm from the UK to engineer some blocks? (please, we did not import these …… blocks?)

I was just at Union station the other day. They've only got two blocks installed at York & Front.

 

[emphurent]

Is this installation completed? Did we really pay for a firm from the UK to engineer some blocks? (please, we did not import these …… blocks?)

Since I think people missed this information, the timeline and products were described in an article last year.

The blocks are not going everywhere, only to be installed on high traffic corners (which I agree, really impedes circulation)

I find it frustrating he implies they "are decorated like benches", because unless the wooden coverings townscape offers are still to be applied, this characterisation is misleading (also meaning they chose cheap over an aesthetic amenity). I'm probably in the minority that think seating amenities are missing outside the station, and think this could've been a solution for that, if waay more carefully considered.

Yet to come are actual bollards. They will be mounted at a shallow depth, to avoid any underlying infrastructure, but this increased cost (12 million!!).
They likely won't be installed until end of year (if they were approved...)

The jersey barriers are likely not moving until that phase completes, which means there will be a goofy period with three types of barriers surrounding the station like a fortress. At some point it becomes an access hazard for mobility users or blind users?

 

[bearcat]

Since I think people missed this information, the timeline and products were described in an article last year.

The blocks are not going everywhere, only to be installed on high traffic corners (which I agree, really impedes circulation)

I find it frustrating he implies they "are decorated like benches", because unless the wooden coverings townscape offers are still to be applied, this characterisation is misleading (also meaning they chose cheap over an aesthetic amenity). I'm probably in the minority that think seating amenities are missing outside the station, and think this could've been a solution for that, if waay more carefully considered.

Yet to come are actual bollards. They will be mounted at a shallow depth, to avoid any underlying infrastructure, but this increased cost (12 million!!).
They likely won't be installed until end of year (if they were approved...)

The jersey barriers are likely not moving until that phase completes, which means there will be a goofy period with three types of barriers surrounding the station like a fortress. At some point it becomes an access hazard for mobility users or blind users?

If the concrete blocks were clearly marked as benches and people sat on them, their legs would block the pedestrian circulation even further.

 

[DSCToronto]

Since I think people missed this information, the timeline and products were described in an article last year.

The blocks are not going everywhere, only to be installed on high traffic corners (which I agree, really impedes circulation)

I find it frustrating he implies they "are decorated like benches", because unless the wooden coverings townscape offers are still to be applied, this characterisation is misleading (also meaning they chose cheap over an aesthetic amenity). I'm probably in the minority that think seating amenities are missing outside the station, and think this could've been a solution for that, if waay more carefully considered.

Yet to come are actual bollards. They will be mounted at a shallow depth, to avoid any underlying infrastructure, but this increased cost (12 million!!).
They likely won't be installed until end of year (if they were approved...)

The jersey barriers are likely not moving until that phase completes, which means there will be a goofy period with three types of barriers surrounding the station like a fortress. At some point it becomes an access hazard for mobility users or blind users?

If the solution had been 'carefully considered' we would not have waited 6 years for this dreadful (and expensive) mess to appear. It would have been cheaper to have built barricades with $20 bills!

 

[nightstreak]

The jersey barriers are likely not moving until that phase completes, which means there will be a goofy period with three types of barriers surrounding the station like a fortress. At some point it becomes an access hazard for mobility users or blind users?

I really don't get it. The jersey barriers as of right now are completely open along Front Street. Cars can drive through, I saw a taxi back up halfway into the square in front of the station to help someone load a bunch of luggage. I should've taken it picture, it was almost comedic. What have the barriers been doing here for a decade if cars can drive in?

 

[DSCToronto]

I have complained about it MANY times, last time Hydro told me that they were having problems getting the City (I think) removing their wires. Sigh!

EDIT. I have again emailed my Hydro contact but I think the problem is the removal of the wires, which are still there.

I heard from Hydro. The pole is NOT theirs but the equipment on it belongs to the police!

"I can confirm that the pole located on Front St. E. and York St. cannot be found in Toronto Hydro’s records, however we did make significant efforts to determine the ownership and attached equipment. According the City of Toronto’s records, Toronto Police Services (TPS) confirmed that they own the equipment on the pole and it supports critical emergency services. Previously, we did advise TPS of the community’s request to have the pole removed, but they were not able to do so at that time.

We have also engaged the City of Toronto on this matter and request, so please free feel to follow up with pedestrianstreetlighting@toronto.ca for further assistance."

I have now passed this to Ausma Malik's office.....

 

[Northern Light]

I heard from Hydro. The pole is NOT theirs but the equipment on it belongs to the police!

"I can confirm that the pole located on Front St. E. and York St. cannot be found in Toronto Hydro’s records, however we did make significant efforts to determine the ownership and attached equipment. According the City of Toronto’s records, Toronto Police Services (TPS) confirmed that they own the equipment on the pole and it supports critical emergency services. Previously, we did advise TPS of the community’s request to have the pole removed, but they were not able to do so at that time.

We have also engaged the City of Toronto on this matter and request, so please free feel to follow up with pedestrianstreetlighting@toronto.ca for further assistance."

I have now passed this to Ausma Malik's office.....

Excellent efforts on your part, @DSCToronto, as always!

 

[DSCToronto]

Excellent efforts on your part, @DSCToronto, as always!

I have no hope the damned pole will actually go but ....

 

[nightstreak]

I heard from Hydro. The pole is NOT theirs but the equipment on it belongs to the police!

"I can confirm that the pole located on Front St. E. and York St. cannot be found in Toronto Hydro’s records, however we did make significant efforts to determine the ownership and attached equipment. According the City of Toronto’s records, Toronto Police Services (TPS) confirmed that they own the equipment on the pole and it supports critical emergency services. Previously, we did advise TPS of the community’s request to have the pole removed, but they were not able to do so at that time.

A lot of what's wrong with Union Station's forecourt is because police feel they don't have to follow any rules or guidelines "in the name of public safety". Yet, none of what they're doing is really protecting anyone. The square is still porous and really only that little bit in front of Union has these military grade concrete blocks, but not anywhere the busy rush hour route crowds go down on Bay Street. Is this a floor is lava type of thing?