[smallspy]

Second question around structure.

I've been watching the evolving work at Spadina station on the streetcar platform concourse.

My pics from January 31st, 2025:

View attachment 629198

View attachment 629199

I examined these from several angles....... I couldn't ascertain they were actually supporting anything. In most locations they don't touch the ceiling, but where they appear to, I don't see any beams or key structure. I assume I'm missing something, but was just curious if others had insights.

These confuse me.

Those beams (and the temporary vertical supports in the background) certainly look sufficient enough to support the concrete slab of the station.

But as you note, there is no contact with it. The beams are flying free below them by some measure.

I wonder if this is an interim state for these as they remove the ceiling materials and then raise them to contact the bottom of the slab. But why bother with this now, and not later after the ceiling materials are removed?

Dan

 

[EastYorkTTCFan]

These appear to be structural per se - but certainly not structural to the level of being able to support the station.

I wonder if some of the work going on up topside introduced some forces that loosened the concrete ceiling panels above the gore between the tracks. That is about all those beams could support.

Dan

I just got off at main Street station today for context this is on the westbound platform near the tunnel from Victoria park station you can see that they are adding hangers for cables along the existing columns and the new one's are there to bridge the gap between the sections which don't have any supporting posts.

 

[DSCToronto]

View attachment 629444
I just got off at main Street station today for context this is on the westbound platform near the tunnel from Victoria park station you can see that they are adding hangers for cables along the existing columns and the new one's are there to bridge the gap between the sections which don't have any supporting posts.

Yes! As I suspected, for cables as on Line 1.

 

[nfitz]

I'd just assumed it was some kind of new advertising panel or something, given how small it was, relative to the length of the platform. It didn't look like a structural element for a station.

You can't see it in the picture, and I hadn't paid too much attention, but from the corner of my eye, I had the impression that those two posts weren't 100% parallel. But that would be fine if it's just to support a wiring conduit or an advertising panel.

 

[EastYorkTTCFan]

I'd just assumed it was some kind of new advertising panel or something, given how small it was, relative to the length of the platform. It didn't look like a structural element for a station.

You can't see it in the picture, and I hadn't paid too much attention, but from the corner of my eye, I had the impression that those two posts weren't 100% parallel. But that would be fine if it's just to support a wiring conduit or an advertising panel.

I think they are trying to remove them from the centre of the tracks to avoid having people have to cross the third rail to change the poster. In some places like Queen station, they have put video screens in instted of physical; advertising between the platforms

 

[81-717]

Always possible and have great respect for Steve, but disagree here.

By the way does Trudeau resigning, presumably without having signed off on the funding, also work against it?

 

[nfitz]

By the way does Trudeau resigning, presumably without having signed off on the funding, also work against it?

Yes - but he doesn't resign until after the leadership vote in March. Last time this happened, the incoming Liberal PM didn't start until over a month after the vote (probably faster this time). So it could be easily be April before Trudeau resigns. Perhaps longer if the opposition somehow triggers an unexpected election.

If things go as scheduled the earliest we can have an election is May 5. And I doubt very much that Carney would renege. So over 3 months at least.

 

[drum118]

I think they are trying to remove them from the centre of the tracks to avoid having people have to cross the third rail to change the poster. In some places like Queen station, they have put video screens in instted of physical; advertising between the platforms

I have said far to long that video screen be used between tacks and on the wall to display adds, when next train is coming, time, system updates, news and weather considering what screens cost today as well giving riders something to look at while waiting for the train. If there is a problems on the line, it can keep riders informed as to what is taking place and when service may resume assuming TTC has someone able to deal with real time messaging those screens.

 

[Northern Light]

By the way does Trudeau resigning, presumably without having signed off on the funding, also work against it?

The Prime Minister clearly approved the funding, his cabinet minister announced it publicly.

Beyond that, his signature is not required on anything.

 

[EastYorkTTCFan]

I have said far to long that video screen be used between tacks and on the wall to display adds, when next train is coming, time, system updates, news and weather considering what screens cost today as well giving riders something to look at while waiting for the train. If there is a problems on the line, it can keep riders informed as to what is taking place and when service may resume assuming TTC has someone able to deal with real time messaging those screens.

I don't think it was ever supposed to do anything other then show ads as it want up at the same time as the larger ones at Dundas went up

 

[turbanplanner]

I have said far to long that video screen be used between tacks and on the wall to display adds, when next train is coming, time, system updates, news and weather considering what screens cost today as well giving riders something to look at while waiting for the train. If there is a problems on the line, it can keep riders informed as to what is taking place and when service may resume assuming TTC has someone able to deal with real time messaging those screens.

TBH 99% of the time I hear a service announcement (trains holding, medical alarm) It doesn't make it to the TTC alerts website so I doubt it'd show on the screens

 

[Richard White]

TBH 99% of the time I hear a service announcement (trains holding, medical alarm) It doesn't make it to the TTC alerts website so I doubt it'd show on the screens

Not only that but sometimes they clear so fast that it does not make sense to post them.

You know how many times I have been on a train with door issues or an EA activation only for it to clear 2 seconds after the initial announcement was made over the tannoy?

 

[turbanplanner]

Not only that but sometimes they clear so fast that it does not make sense to post them.

You know how many times I have been on a train with door issues or an EA activation only for it to clear 2 seconds after the initial announcement was made over the tannoy?

My favorite example is getting off an eastbound BD train at spadina, the driver opens his window telling people on the stairs not to run since it'll be a while. By the time I pass the streetcar platform you hear the chime and the train leaves!

 

[Bordercollie]

Apparently it's a common occurrence for the first train from Finch to be delayed due to work crews being delayed from clearing the line. Currently we are 15 minutes late departing Finch. No ETA on when we will leave the station.

 

[drum118]

TTC and B.C.-based Gatekeeper Systems teaming up to develop streetcar safety camera pilot

Feb. 5, 2025

The TTC is improving safety for streetcar customers by piloting automatic camera enforcement technology for motorists who pass open doors. The pilot contract has been awarded to B.C.-based Gatekeeper Systems Inc.

Through the pilot, the TTC and Gatekeeper will develop and pilot a new enforcement system to record the incident and license plate information. Passing open streetcar doors puts those boarding and exiting streetcars in danger and illegal under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act (HTA).

Between 2014 and 2024, 141 individuals have been contacted by vehicles while boarding or exiting streetcars. In addition, the TTC gets anecdotal reports of open-door passing multiple times daily.

A change to the HTA made in 2021 means that as of July 1, 2022 camera-based enforcement is allowed. The TTC has been advocating for use of cameras since 2015.
The current fine for passing open streetcar doors is up to $183.25 plus three demerit points.

The pilot will cost approximately $460,000 and includes development, installation of cameras on four streetcars, and nine months of testing starting later next year. No tickets will be issued as part of the pilot.

“The City of Toronto has an ongoing commitment to safer streets for all road users, including TTC customers riding streetcars,” said Mayor Olivia Chow. “I’m pleased to see this safety program moving ahead and I look forward to seeing the results of the pilot project.”

“The TTC Board has made the safety of streetcar customers a priority for our operations teams, and addressing those who illegally pass open doors is an important part of improving safety,” said TTC Chair Jamaal Myers. “Through this pilot, we can fine-tune the program and make the TTC an even safer way to get around the City.”

“Safety is our top concern, and every day, we hear about dozens of instances of cars passing open streetcar doors in mixed traffic with no regard for the safety of our customers,” said TTC CEO Greg Percy. “We are serious about putting an end to that through new industry-leading technological solutions. This is the first step in that process.”

“We are delighted to work with the TTC on this important initiative to improve passenger safety,” said Doug Dyment, Gatekeeper’s President and CEO. “Protecting people in transit is our corporate mission and we are very proud to add Canada’s largest public transit system to our growing list of transit customers.”

The TTC is also developing an on-street streetcar safety campaign to roll out in the coming weeks, reminding all road users that they must stop behind open streetcar doors.