Construction has begun on Union Station’s new south passenger concourse in Toronto.
When completed, the concourse will span roughly 325 metres, connecting customers between Bay and York Streets.
The concourse is part of the Union Station Enhancement Project (USEP), which aims to give GO Transit customers better access to and from the concourse levels and wider station platforms. Service levels are also expected to increase thanks to the trains’ ability move through the station faster and more efficiently.
The first of over 50 piles were installed in mid-November, starting at the west end of the USEP work area.
The piling was preceded by the installation of 14 structural steel supports along the heritage trainshed to reinforce and protect it. Platforms 24 and 25 and 26 and 27 were also demolished in order to make way for new wider platforms.
Over the next twelve months, excavation will be completed followed by the construction of the concourse’s concrete slabs, columns and stairs.
Inside the station, two sets of temporary stairs are currently under construction, one in the south end of the VIA Rail concourse and the other in the east end of the hallway that runs along the south side of the existing concourses.
Once they have been completed, the pedestrian walkway located south of the VIA Rail concourse will close permanently, as this area will be taken over by the new concourse.
