Broadway Station construction update for February-March 2009
March 3, 2009
Broadway Station construction update for February-March 2009
March 3, 2009
The second update on the Broadway Station upgrade project is now out!
(If you hadn’t heard, Broadway Station is getting an upgrade to better handle customer traffic and security. I wrote all about the details of the upgrade on the blog in November. There was also an update on the station’s progress in December 2008.)
What’s been completed so far?
- We’ve demolished the south side of the station and removed the retaining walls and curbs at ground level.
- We have excavated the elevator and escalator pits and poured the concrete at these sites.
- We have extended the hoarding on the platform level to enclose a large space on the platform cut out for the installation of the new escalator, elevator and stairs.
- We’ve completed the cutting of the platform, to make way for the new escalator, elevator and stairs (see the photo at right).
- We’ve poured the concrete footings for the east and west walls of the station.
- We have built concrete block walls on the east side.
- Preparation work for the installation of the west glass wall has been finished, including: the demolition of the existing west wire mesh wall, pouring of concrete curbs, and excavation and layout for footings.
What work will be happening in March?
On the south side…
- Plumbing and electrical services will be installed in the excavated south side.
- Preparation work will be completed for pouring of the concrete slab.
- Structural steel installation for the new elevator will begin.
On the north and south side…
- Steel support framework and glass (glazing) installation on the west wall of the station will begin.
- Further installation of the electrical conduit inside of the station will begin.
You can also grab this info in the official second update PDF, or check it out at the Broadway Station Upgrades page. An illustrated overview of the upgrades are again available in my earlier Broadway Station post. And I’ll continue to keep you posted at the Buzzer blog with the latest news on the construction!
It’s good to hear that everything is going well with this remodelling project. The Expo Line Stations, Broadway in particular, are horrible things to look at, and aren’t very welcoming. Compared that to the bright, open spaces of the newer M-Line stations. The completion of the Broadway renovations will be a big improvement, and will not only enhance SkyTrain’s image, but will be a benefit to the neighbourhood. I’m hoping to see new businesses integrated in some sort of space-sharing arrangement like they are with the Commercial Drive side of the complex. Also, I believe that the more attractive, welcoming design of the remodelled station will change the negative image of transit to which some people, unfortunately, still subscribe — particularly when it comes to security issues.
Jhenifer, are there plans to lease space as a means of raising additional revenue? I think this would be a wonderful idea, both for TransLink, passengers, the neighbourhood, and potential entrepreneurs. I’ve heard stories that TransLink is considering commercial property development as an alternative income source. Bang-on, I say. One need only look at railway stations in Europe to see what a wonderful arrangement that would be. What a better way to fund construction of newer, larger stations?
It’s good to hear that the construction is going on well and i hope it’s get completed soon.
Hey Dan,
Thanks for your comment as always! I asked the Broadway upgrade project team about the plans for retail space in that particular station. Here’s what they told me:
In the larger view, TransLink does indeed have a real estate function now and we’re hoping it will serve the purpose much as you have described. Our new governing legislation passed at the end of 2007 gave us the power to purchase land and try to raise revenue from development near transit hubs, similar to the way Hong Kong raises funds for its transport system. The real estate division launched last year and it’s still in its early stages, so I don’t really have any concrete examples of what steps are coming next. However, I’m certain we’ll be hearing more from them in the future.
Oh yes — one more thing — as you may know, prior to the launch of the real estate division, we have already been exploring the concept of transit villages around four SkyTrain stations — attractive, compact, mixed-use community, centered around a transit station, enabling residents, workers, and shoppers to drive less and take transit, walk and cycle more. So, that’s also another development/transit thing we have looked at too :)
Thanks, Jhenifer. Regarding the Transit Willage plans, I was wondering why Joyce Station wasn’t in there. It seems more likely a candidate than Edmonds Station, even though Edmonds should be utilised — it just doesn’t deserve as much attention, in my opinion.