SkyTrain Station Renovations [Archive] - Page 31

MIPS

Jan 7, 2018, 6:46 AM

It's not too hard. Commercial Broadway is a really popular spot for graffiti in Vancouver. The way to get on the shoppers building is to go climb on the fence where the hide the trash on the far east part of the building, then jump on the little glass part that hangs over the sidewalk. Jump on the roof and you're up there.

That's dedication for a crappy looking tag.
Whoever did the one down on the brick wall you can clearly went to arts school in comparison. :cool:

SpongeG

Jan 10, 2018, 9:38 PM

will braodway/commercial completed in 2018? or is it set for 2019?

seems like its never going to happen

Vantage

Jan 14, 2018, 8:33 AM

will braodway/commercial completed in 2018? or is it set for 2019?

seems like its never going to happen

Looking at the progress so far it seems like it could be completed by the end of the year. This is just my own mostly uneducated guess though.

stump

Jan 14, 2018, 8:21 PM

will braodway/commercial completed in 2018? or is it set for 2019?

seems like its never going to happen

I feel the same way about Metrotown station since I overlook it every day at work. Blows my mind how long it's taking for such a relatively small thing. It started almost 3 years ago.

aberdeen5698

Jan 15, 2018, 3:10 AM

I feel the same way about Metrotown station since I overlook it every day at work. Blows my mind how long it's taking for such a relatively small thing. It started almost 3 years ago.
The Metrotown overhaul isn't a "small thing" - they've essentially rebuilt the entire station, one piece at a time. To do that while keeping the station in operation isn't a simple task.

On the other hand, yeah - it seems like it's been taking forever.

officedweller

Jan 15, 2018, 4:11 AM

Remember that their original plan was to close the station during construction
- so keeping the station open probably resulted in a huge change in timing.

Found this:
15 months with station closure or 28 months without closure.
http://www.metronews.ca/news/vancouver/2012/12/05/upgrades-could-close-metrotown-skytrain-station-for-15-months.html

Transiteer

Jan 15, 2018, 8:47 PM

I feel the same way about Metrotown station since I overlook it every day at work. Blows my mind how long it's taking for such a relatively small thing. It started almost 3 years ago.

Relevant before / after shot from VIA Architecture's Twitter shows the extent of upgrades https://twitter.com/viaarchitecture. Note that a lot of work can only be done in the 4 hour window when the station is shut. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DHSP-MSVYAIPVZ5.jpg https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DHSP-MSVYAIPVZ5.jpg

stump

Jan 15, 2018, 9:03 PM

The Metrotown overhaul isn't a "small thing" - they've essentially rebuilt the entire station, one piece at a time. To do that while keeping the station in operation isn't a simple task.

On the other hand, yeah - it seems like it's been taking forever.

Fair enough, that does make sense.

Express691

Jan 23, 2018, 1:55 AM

Speaking of metrotown station, according to station access all 3 elevators went out of service at the same time for a bit this evening.

Mac Write

Jan 23, 2018, 7:36 AM

Speaking of metrotown station, according to station access all 3 elevators went out of service at the same time for a bit this evening.

Let me guess they are all on the same controller an the controller BSOD.

stump

Jan 23, 2018, 4:45 PM

Let me guess they are all on the same controller an the controller BSOD.

Must be on the same controller as the escalators in the mall and elevators in the towers. Always broken, always being repaired.

Express691

Jan 24, 2018, 7:15 AM

Must be on the same controller as the escalators in the mall and elevators in the towers. Always broken, always being repaired.

Some have said that there is no standard for elevator and escalator specifications and designs, leading to parts shortages and "inventory headaches".

Spork

Jan 25, 2018, 3:31 AM

dpogue

Jan 25, 2018, 3:34 AM

I noticed today that the new platform at Commercial-Broadway has almost all of the yellow edge tiles poking out underneath the plywood construction hoarding. The passerelle will be the bottleneck I'd bet, as it has a roof and floor, but still needs glass, electrical, stairs, and an escalator.

I was hoping they'd prioritize the widened passerelle to the Commercial platform, but that is still encased in plywood, waiting for glass to be installed :(

stump

Jan 25, 2018, 4:18 PM

Some have said that there is no standard for elevator and escalator specifications and designs, leading to parts shortages and "inventory headaches".

I work in one of the towers and there have been numerous people stuck in elevators up to 2 hours as recently as this morning. Not a good situation to say the least for whatever the problem is; parts, inventory, lack of upkeep. Hopefully the Skytrain stations don't have the same problem in 10 years.

Vin

Jan 25, 2018, 5:07 PM

When I went to Metrotown couple of weeks ago, it was raining pretty hard. Riding down one, I felt rain water coming down all over as if there was no shelter above. Would this have contributed to the escalators breaking down? I imagine they are not built for outdoor use.

vannick

Jan 25, 2018, 10:35 PM

Construction on the commercial/broadway station is taking way to long. I have witnessed THREE 40+ towers go up near Brentwood mall in a shorter time then this is taking. The amount of money being wasted on the crane that sits near the lower tracks has got to be tremendous, I bet they could have purchased one for less then what they have leased/rented it for.

jollyburger

Jan 25, 2018, 11:04 PM

Stick people walking through the job site while they're building the towers then keep talking.

Vin

Jan 25, 2018, 11:09 PM

Stick people walking through the job site while they're building the towers then keep talking.

No one walks through the new link and platform, which are totally separate from the existing link and platform. Agree that the construction is taking way too long.

Express691

Jan 28, 2018, 11:12 AM

Spork

Jan 28, 2018, 10:19 PM

Also noticed today that trains are entering platform 3 at walking speed.

I noticed that yesterday too. I wonder if this is temporary (e.g. just yesterday due to some maintenance issue, or temporary while construction wraps up), or permanent (e.g. two platforms = somehow higher risk for people to fall on tracks).

cganuelas1995

Jan 28, 2018, 10:36 PM

dpogue

Jan 28, 2018, 10:37 PM

I noticed that yesterday too. I wonder if this is temporary (e.g. just yesterday due to some maintenance issue, or temporary while construction wraps up), or permanent (e.g. two platforms = somehow higher risk for people to fall on tracks).

I think I heard on Friday morning that one of the LIM rail plates at Broadway inbound was sticking up a bit and posed a risk of hitting the bottom of the train as it went through. A "go slow" results in the train motors generating less magnetic force, which is less likely to incur damage.

It should be fixed soon, and I'm a bit surprised it wasn't fixed Friday evening. On the other hand, now is the perfect time to try to film the current state of construction from the front of the train :P

Express691

Jan 29, 2018, 3:13 AM

I think I heard on Friday morning that one of the LIM rail plates at Broadway inbound was sticking up a bit and posed a risk of hitting the bottom of the train as it went through. A "go slow" results in the train motors generating less magnetic force, which is less likely to incur damage.

It should be fixed soon, and I'm a bit surprised it wasn't fixed Friday evening. On the other hand, now is the perfect time to try to film the current state of construction from the front of the train :P

Seems to be fixed as of today, the Mk1 I was on entered the platform at normal speed.

Mac Write

Jan 29, 2018, 6:30 AM

What is the latest news on the Mark I retirement plan and have all 114 original Mark I's gotten Translink ivory 2.0?And when will the third order of 28 Mark III trains begin to arrive and enter service? Also when will the second order enter service if they arrive at the end of this year?

Sheba

Feb 16, 2018, 12:57 AM

I received an 'occupant' letter in the mail from TransLink - they're going to start repainting Edmonds Station.

Urbanmetro

Feb 16, 2018, 9:39 PM

Urbanmetro

Feb 16, 2018, 9:44 PM

Oh and Metrotown upgrade is double in scope and cost less than 10 million more. Is TransLink in the real estate bubble too?!

Mac Write

Feb 16, 2018, 10:55 PM

How is the East station house coming along at Metrotown? Anyone have photos from this week of it?

Also how is Broadway coming along? photos?

Sheba

Feb 17, 2018, 12:50 AM

How is the East station house coming along at Metrotown? Anyone have photos from this week of it?

No photos. I seem to remember seeing the escalators are physically in place. TransLink said at their open meeting that Metrotown Station would be completed second quarter this year (so between April - June) which seems pretty plausible.

Waders

Feb 17, 2018, 3:43 AM

No photos. I seem to remember seeing the escalators are physically in place. TransLink said at their open meeting that Metrotown Station would be completed second quarter this year (so between April - June) which seems pretty plausible.

A lot of work is being done to the sidewalk outside the station.
Spring 2018 is the target completion date. So probably the east stationhouse can be opened between March and May.

We’re getting close to the finish line on Metrotown upgrades! The station upgrades are on target to be complete in spring 2018.

Source (https://www.translink.ca/en/Schedules-and-Maps/Alerts.aspx#StationAccess)

Shift

Feb 17, 2018, 5:11 AM

Surrey Central SkyTrain station North entrance is moving along. Substructure complete, elevator shaft complete. I see the project finishing late fall 2018 �� I just don't see how it is costing 30 mil. The whole station should be upgraded for that amount...

Is the platform not getting any upgrades? - replacement of the metal grate walls with glass and upgraded platform lighting (to match the new station house)

Urbanmetro

Feb 17, 2018, 6:32 AM

Is the platform not getting any upgrades? - replacement of the metal grate walls with glass and upgraded platform lighting (to match the new station house)

You can see the reports on the city of surrey planning reports and news outlets. All the station is getting is one new elevator, three new escalators, a new staircase and better lighting to go with the new north entrance... Poor use of money in my opinion. They should do it right and do it now...

Colin4567

Feb 17, 2018, 7:16 AM

You can see the reports on the city of surrey planning reports and news outlets. All the station is getting is one new elevator, three new escalators, a new staircase and better lighting to go with the new north entrance... Poor use of money in my opinion. They should do it right and do it now...

If they had a good-looking station they'd weaken the appeal of the LRT's glass panels and lighting.

Urbanmetro

Feb 17, 2018, 7:36 AM

If they had a good-looking station they'd weaken the appeal of the LRT's glass panels and lighting.

Hahahaaaaa. Funny!!!:notacrook:

Reecemartin

Feb 17, 2018, 3:04 PM

[Deleted]

mcminsen

Feb 22, 2018, 10:15 AM

Commercial - Broadway.

Feb.21 '18, my pics
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/923/KAFhiN.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnKAFhiNj)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1280x1024q90/924/gbfN3Y.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pogbfN3Yj)

Reecemartin

Feb 22, 2018, 3:52 PM

[Deleted]

Shift

Feb 22, 2018, 5:47 PM

Well Surrey Central is a pretty ugly station.

I think it's by far one of the nicer stations on the expo line - aside from those upgraded. It's quite grande (as far as skytrain stations go).

Nice glass elevator and escalators/staircases - integrated well with the streetscape.
Nice integration of retail units at the base along the street
High vaulted ceilings on platform level
Coffered ceilings above the sidewalk on City Parkway (nice design feature)
I also like the roof design.

https://fraseropolis.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/1-surrey-central-station.jpg

http://canada.subwaynut.com/vancouver/expo_line/surrey_central/surrey_central12.jpg

MIPS

Feb 23, 2018, 1:38 AM

I always found the Surrey stations embraced 90's design as opposed to the rest of the Expo Line which was all about that early-80's Space Frame.

For some reason I think of 90's malls.

https://i.cbc.ca/1.3467270.1456610924!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/original_620/eau-claire-market-calgary.jpg
Image courtesy of the CBC

Metro-One

Feb 23, 2018, 2:07 AM

I once hated it, but now I kind of like having unique looking stations that represent their era. As long as they are kept clean. Same way I now love the trusses on many of the Expo Line Stations.

officedweller

Feb 23, 2018, 2:54 AM

makes sense, as the Surrey King George extension was built between 1990 and 1993.

Shift

Mar 6, 2018, 2:34 AM

Surrey Central progress:

https://i.imgur.com/tQU4m9u.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/YPePB5O.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/oKnsQVr.jpg?1

officedweller

Mar 6, 2018, 9:58 PM

Thanks!

Waders

Mar 13, 2018, 6:19 AM

Construction has started for Phase 2 of Joyce–Collingwood Station Upgrades.
At present the work is focused on building the new bike path and bus lay over area on the north side of the east station house.

Project scope

- new bus pick-up areas adjacent to the east stationhouse with a larger passenger waiting space and bus shelters
- upgrades to the current bus exchange adjacent to the west stationhouse to accommodate future service improvements, including planned B-Line service from Joyce-Collingwood to UBC
- new pedestrian and bicycle path on the north side of the east and west stationhouses that connects to the BC Parkway
- an extended roof and new platform tiling
- replacement of the existing elevator and escalator in the west stationhouse
- improved overall station design and lighting throughout the west stationhouse
Source (https://www.translink.ca/Plans-and-Projects/Station-and-Exchange-Improvements/Expo-Line-Upgrades/Joyce-Collingwood-Station-Upgrades.aspx)

It doesn't look like the platform length will be extended at the west side. :(

Mac Write

Mar 13, 2018, 7:56 AM

Nor are they adding a down escalator. As a visually impaired person a down escalator is allot safer then walking down stairs. Same with the elderly. a fall down stairs kills.

deasine

Mar 13, 2018, 5:08 PM

Nor are they adding a down escalator. As a visually impaired person a down escalator is allot safer then walking down stairs. Same with the elderly. a fall down stairs kills.

I'm not sure they can add a down escalator without major works as they need to retain a stairwell. The East Station entrance can do this as there is sufficient space at the end of the platform.

VancouverOfTheFuture

Mar 14, 2018, 12:25 AM

I'm not sure they can add a down escalator without major works as they need to retain a stairwell. The East Station entrance can do this as there is sufficient space at the end of the platform.

why do they need to maintain a stairwell? why cant stations be built with just multiple escalators?

officedweller

Mar 14, 2018, 12:36 AM

why do they need to maintain a stairwell? why cant stations be built with just multiple escalators?

I think they'd need 3 side-by-side like at Metrotown for redundancy.

If you only have 2, and one is out for repairs, that means the other must be shut down (and people have to walk up) so it can be used for both up and down.
But I suppose that's similar to having the stair if the escalator is being repaired, the only difference is the height of the steps.

Waders

Mar 18, 2018, 3:06 AM

Metrotown station east station house is almost ready. Construction work is mostly completed.
Once the escalator inspection is completed, then a date can be chosen for the photo op. My prediction is early April if not earlier.

jollyburger

Mar 18, 2018, 4:07 AM

Nor are they adding a down escalator. As a visually impaired person a down escalator is allot safer then walking down stairs. Same with the elderly. a fall down stairs kills.

That's why they have elevators. :notacrook:

flipper316

Mar 18, 2018, 6:11 AM

Waders

Mar 18, 2018, 5:24 PM

Went by Metrotown today. Was surprised that the floors have half new tiles half old ones. What's up with that? And the glass along the railings and elevators is already dirty and still has old stickers on it. Who's in charge of quality control.
Not sure new floor tile is in the station renovation project scope. Only Joyce station will get new tile at the platform level.

Anyway today the wooden hoarding at the platform level has been replaced by wire fence. The east station house escalators are now visible at the platform level. Hopefully the east station house can be opened in 1 to 2 weeks. :tup:

Mac Write

Mar 19, 2018, 3:23 AM

That's why they have elevators. :notacrook:
Then what do the people do when the elevator is out of order for servicing etc? down escalators even by Translink said they are needed.

CanSpice

Mar 19, 2018, 4:26 PM

Then what do the people do when the elevator is out of order for servicing etc? down escalators even by Translink said they are needed.

They have signs up and attendants on site to tell people to go to an adjacent station, and then they'll have a shuttle bus for them. Quite similar to what happened when all of the elevators were out at Metrotown, people got told to use the ones at Patterson.

dpogue

Mar 19, 2018, 8:31 PM

East side entrance at Metrotown station is now open:

https://twitter.com/TransLink/status/975829360488824832
The east stationhouse at Metrotown Station is now open with four new escalators, improving passenger flow and access!

This marks the final major component of the upgrade for this station. Work is expected to be fully complete this spring. ^at

officedweller

Mar 19, 2018, 9:01 PM

East side entrance at Metrotown station is now open:

https://twitter.com/TransLink/status/975829360488824832

Nice, thanks.

Here are the pics from TransLink twitter:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYrXVU2VwAATFmq.jpg
https://twitter.com/TransLink

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYrXVU3VwAEO0Gx.jpg
https://twitter.com/TransLink

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYrXVVTU0AAT_B0.jpg
https://twitter.com/TransLink

Mac Write

Mar 19, 2018, 10:35 PM

How will bus bays be changed now that the east station house is complete?

I still wish all buses could be moved to the station and use the current bus exchange for layovers.

MIPS

Mar 19, 2018, 11:52 PM

I still love how there's this pedestrian overpass that just ends nowhere at all useful.

Sheba

Mar 20, 2018, 1:39 AM

I still love how there's this pedestrian overpass that just ends nowhere at all useful.

Oh I know. I love how they shut down that entrance and the overpass not long before xmas and then were slow to start working on it. They could have left that entrance and overpass open while blocking off the stairs from the ticket level to the ground and fenced off that whole area where the station entrance is now. Even if it were only for a month it would have made more sense.

Waders

Mar 20, 2018, 2:23 AM

And local residents are still mourning the loss of the pedestrian overpass to the skytrain station.
Here is a complain to the local newspaper just two weeks ago.

LETTERS: Metrotown station ‘improvements’ failed

Dear Editor:

Michael Jackson’s nose job comes quickly to mind for the kind of “improvement” made to the Metrotown SkyTrain station. A most objectionable change for the putative better is the taking out of the above-ground, covered walkway traversing the station and the mall. No frequent transit user in the Metrotown mall area I have asked about that change did not miss the walkway.
Without the safety and shelter provided by the walkway, transit users and pedestrians, from their whatever-to-make-it-work-for-me (that is, rational) vantage point, resort to making runs across the chaotic, callous traffic of Central Boulevard, to changing traffic lights, to arriving buses and SkyTrains, to shelters from the rain and to infinite other good personal reasons.

The “improvement” design clearly has taken people out of safety and shelter to the dangerous, inconvenient conditions of the open street. Those who have had a part in the decision to remove the above-ground covered walkway are but amateurs at best.

With Michael’s “improved” nostrils, at least nobody has to reply on them to make everyday life safe, convenient and sense-making.

Eugene Ip, Burnaby
Source: Burnabynow (http://www.burnabynow.com/opinion/your-letters/letters-metrotown-station-improvements-failed-1.23189270)

Dave2

Mar 20, 2018, 4:20 AM

Sheba

Mar 20, 2018, 5:41 AM

Meanwhile Nanaimo Station has no up escalator eastbound and Edmonds has no escalators at all. And this guy is complaining about Metrotown with its eight escalators and three street-to-platform elevators? I'd rather have those than that old narrow overpass.

Those aren't the only stations missing up escalators: ... Nanaimo, 29th Avenue, Royal Oak, Edmonds, 22nd Street and Columbia

Also that person's complaint is about how the overhead pedestrian walkway that was really useful hasn't been replaced. Crossing at street level has been a clusterfuck and the fact that we have no idea on if / when the promised new walkway will open is frustrating as hell. Having to take the stairs or an elevator isn't so bad in comparison (although yes, I will agree that it is annoying).

Dave2

Mar 20, 2018, 4:32 PM

Perhaps the street crossing will improve now that the crowds heading to the mall will be divided between the central and east station house exits.

Sheba

Mar 20, 2018, 5:15 PM

Perhaps the street crossing will improve now that the crowds heading to the mall will be divided between the central and east station house exits.

There have been people crossing at both crosswalks - and it's still been a clusterfuck. Drivers hate it because what was once relatively free flowing is now stop and go all day long. Pedestrians hate it because it's the same for them. Even bus drivers wouldn't be fans of it - until they changed the lights to give dedicated turns for buses there were crossing guards so buses could get into / out of the bus loop.

All this vs a dedicated overhead walkway... :rolleyes:

Firebrand

Mar 20, 2018, 5:24 PM

There have been people crossing at both crosswalks - and it's still been a clusterfuck. Drivers hate it because what was once relatively free flowing is now stop and go all day long. Pedestrians hate it because it's the same for them. Even bus drivers wouldn't be fans of it - until they changed the lights to give dedicated turns for buses there were crossing guards so buses could get into / out of the bus loop.

All this vs a dedicated overhead walkway... :rolleyes:

You can blame the City of Burnaby for all of this clusterfuck.

officedweller

Mar 20, 2018, 8:30 PM

Strange, though, because both Brentwood and Lougheed will have overhead walkways to those malls.

Metrotown Station is tall enough to have been a mezzanine station like Brentwood, but I guess the large median between Central Blvd and Beresford has the City wanting it to be more pedestrian friendly.

Brentwood has no choice but to have overhead walkways.
Lougheed's proposed overhead walkway will also solve the problem of climbing the hill to the mall.

David

Mar 20, 2018, 8:49 PM

Maybe the mall will be gone sooner than we think, to be replaced by the city blocks as identified in the Metrotown area plan that was just adopted? Not as important to funnel pedestrians across Central Blvd if there isn't a mall over there anymore.

ilikeredheads

Mar 20, 2018, 10:43 PM

fwiw, both the mall and Translink wanted the overpass, but they can't do anything about it because the overpass is considered city property, and the city has been stalling to approve any replacement. The city has this misguided belief that people crossing at street level is more "pedestrian friendly" and "improves walkability", despite the fact that an overpass will be the most convenient and safe option for everyone.

Sheba

Mar 20, 2018, 11:16 PM

Waders

Mar 21, 2018, 2:01 AM

Even bus drivers wouldn't be fans of it - until they changed the lights to give dedicated turns for buses there were crossing guards so buses could get into / out of the bus loop.

All this vs a dedicated overhead walkway... :rolleyes:
Even when the 'turn' traffic light is green, some pedestrians still try to cross the street. So now bus drivers routinely sound the horn to warn people to stop.

Sheba

Mar 21, 2018, 2:21 AM

Even when the 'turn' traffic light is green, some pedestrians still try to cross the street. So now bus drivers routinely sound the horn to warn people to stop.

...and they likely still have crossing guards inside the bus loop. So many people were crossing at the Skytrain elevator entrance and then walking across the bus loop to get into the mall that it's been difficult for buses driving in the bus loop. :rolleyes:

Millennium2002

Mar 21, 2018, 2:27 AM

...and they likely still have crossing guards inside the bus loop. So many people were crossing at the Skytrain elevator entrance and then walking across the bus loop to get into the mall that it's been difficult for buses driving in the bus loop. :rolleyes:

With all the traffic problems of late, something that I thought was a missed opportunity was a separate vehicle entrance or exit to the bus loop on its opposite end... I suppose they thought it'd be too costly to regrade the whole place to make it fit.

Sheba

Mar 21, 2018, 4:19 AM

With all the traffic problems of late, something that I thought was a missed opportunity was a separate vehicle entrance or exit to the bus loop on its opposite end... I suppose they thought it'd be too costly to regrade the whole place to make it fit.

You mean right next to the mall underground parking entrance (https://www.google.com/maps/@49.2254471,-123.002639,3a,75y,25.43h,88.27t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sct5gHxmAP2vbW3hiIydT3g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e2)? That would bring a whole new set of problems...

flipper316

Mar 21, 2018, 7:08 AM

Reecemartin

Mar 22, 2018, 12:50 AM

[Deleted]

MIPS

Mar 22, 2018, 3:36 AM

Hey they think like Hepner and her LRT fetish.

.....You're paying for my therapy.

Reecemartin

Mar 22, 2018, 1:05 PM

[Deleted]

madog222

Mar 22, 2018, 4:05 PM

^
WMVn44rcmwo

Shift

Mar 22, 2018, 6:25 PM

Still scheduled for opening in Summer 2018?

Can't believe this project has taken 3 years.

SpongeG

Mar 22, 2018, 7:27 PM

seems longer than that

Shift

Mar 22, 2018, 11:57 PM

The new Broadway Station platform has taken as long to build as it takes to excavate and build a 40-storey high-rise through to occupancy.

Something seems wrong about that.

officedweller

Mar 23, 2018, 12:22 AM

The construction is pretty specific in design and they have to build around the public using the site.

MIPS

Mar 23, 2018, 12:48 AM

The new Broadway Station platform has taken as long to build as it takes to excavate and build a 40-storey high-rise through to occupancy.

Something seems wrong about that.

A better perspective is that Phase 1 of the Expo line had a shovel in the ground in March 1982 and the gates opened in December 1985.
In the time it's taken to do this we would of completed roughly 90% of the original SkyTrain network. That's over 20km of guideway, all the infrastructure and 15 goddamn stations from scratch.

So......slow........

SpongeG

Mar 23, 2018, 2:50 AM

re. the overpass at metrotown, could they just add stairs at the end to appease people for now and at least walking down would be easier since the overpass is still there...

WBC

Mar 23, 2018, 2:55 AM

The construction is pretty specific in design and they have to build around the public using the site.

I don't buy that argument at all...

For example, At Metrotown, it takes them months to complete simple tasks such as pouring concrete for sidewalks and plazas around the station. These sections are completely separated from the public and fenced off.

I can understand that you have to be careful when lifting large structures such as sections of the station roof...but the rest?

WBC

Mar 23, 2018, 2:58 AM

re. the overpass at metrotown, could they just add stairs at the end to appease people for now and at least walking down would be easier since the overpass is still there...

My hope is exactly that. That would explain why they would not have removed it earlier. One of the interim designs of the new station (prior to final design) had exactly this configuration with the stairs coming down eastward on the outside of the station (basically mirroring the escalator indoors).

Mac Write

Mar 23, 2018, 4:10 AM

The project was given to the lowest bidder. They have better paying jobs to do so they come first before the Translink work.

Migrant_Coconut

Mar 23, 2018, 4:19 AM

^ Makes sense. Good, fast, cheap - you can only pick two.

jollyburger

Mar 23, 2018, 5:32 AM

At least the walkway hasn't collapsed.

WarrenC12

Mar 23, 2018, 5:52 AM

The project was given to the lowest bidder. They have better paying jobs to do so they come first before the Translink work.

Not to mention construction resources are beyond maxed out in Metro Vancouver right now.

Always love to see the armchair project managers come out on these things.

SpongeG

Mar 23, 2018, 6:54 AM

it would be cool had they used a coloured glass on the escalators like these yellow ones on the new crossrail

http://74f85f59f39b887b696f-ab656259048fb93837ecc0ecbcf0c557.r23.cf3.rackcdn.com//assets/library/image/c/original/canary%20wharf%20station%20escalators%20_144304.jpg
crossrail (http://www.crossrail.co.uk/news/articles/over-15-kilometres-of-escalators-now-installed-in-elizabeth-line-stations)

idunno

Mar 23, 2018, 4:10 PM

cganuelas1995

Mar 23, 2018, 7:28 PM

A better perspective is that Phase 1 of the Expo line had a shovel in the ground in March 1982 and the gates opened in December 1985.
In the time it's taken to do this we would of completed roughly 90% of the original SkyTrain network. That's over 20km of guideway, all the infrastructure and 15 goddamn stations from scratch.

So......slow........

Standards and regulations back in the day weren't as strict as they are now, and NIMBY's weren't as loud either. Nor was there a lot of political stalling for the purpose of using those projects to get elected or reelected.

Today you gotta study everything down to the quark just to get a permit, and by the time you get the studies mostly done, it's election time and then you gotta do more studies. And maybe even studies for those studies.

Vin

Mar 23, 2018, 8:13 PM

Not to mention construction resources are beyond maxed out in Metro Vancouver right now.

Always love to see the armchair project managers come out on these things.

How come so many projects are much faster? Perhaps they have way better "armchair project managers"?

I heard that the entire Broadway/Commercial renovation was hampered by the construction of the new bridge over the rail tracks.

CN didn't allow construction to occur within 1 hour of trains going past, so they were limited to a few hours a day. Because the bridge was going to take so long, the entire project's timeline was slowed to match it.

I wonder if they have been doing night shift work in that case, with additional shift-work added on Sundays.

officedweller

Mar 23, 2018, 10:56 PM

CN Trains run at night, too.

dpogue

Mar 24, 2018, 4:04 AM

I heard that the entire Broadway/Commercial renovation was hampered by the construction of the new bridge over the rail tracks.

CN didn't allow construction to occur within 1 hour of trains going past, so they were limited to a few hours a day. Because the bridge was going to take so long, the entire project's timeline was slowed to match it.

This appears to line up with what the TransLink Board Report mentions in its financials section about the project: "Variance due to delays in project from increased CN rail traffic in the Grandview Cut."
(Source: page 41 (https://www.translink.ca/-/media/Documents/about_translink/governance_and_board/board_minutes_and_reports/2018/March/2018_03_29_open_board_meeting_report.pdf))

ClaytonA

Mar 25, 2018, 1:30 AM

Couple the above with (at least now temporarily alleviated) Translink's cashflow problems and CN switching to use this route much more to access Burrard Inlet last year.

VancouverOfTheFuture

Mar 25, 2018, 5:03 AM

the Grandview cut sees trains 24/7. they run on average about 11/12 trains per day through there. of course some days can have up to 20 run through. it is fairly random. on-top of that, these trains average about 90 cars and run slowly. plus they can also stop for awhile.

then there are the VIA Rail trains, Seattle bound trains and Mountaineer as well.