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View Poll Results: Would you like to separate this thread for individual station projects?
Yes 19 31.15%
No 42 68.85%
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  #621  
Old Posted Sep 20, 2012, 6:55 AM
CoryHolmes CoryHolmes is offline
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The upgrades in Surrey Central seems to be taking forever. Any idea when they're supposed to be completed?
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  #622  
Old Posted Sep 20, 2012, 7:54 AM
CBeats CBeats is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by deasine View Post
I find it funny how they used a map not from TransLink but something that was done for the Transit Fantasies thread. The routes don't even exist or aren't up-to-date!
That is hilarious!
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  #623  
Old Posted Sep 20, 2012, 10:19 PM
DKaz DKaz is offline
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lol, that's too funny.
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  #624  
Old Posted Nov 9, 2012, 4:44 AM
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So Translink has issued an RFP for Commercial/Broadway SkyTrain Station Upgrades – Design Services.

Here's the readers digest version, and I've attached the link to the full document at the bottom. Not too much we didn't already know, or expect. I did bold a couple of items I found interesting. I also would not be surprised if we see the Safeway site redeveloped instead of worked around.

Quote:
BACKGROUND
Station Overview & Description

Commercial-Broadway Station is at the heart of Metro Vancouver’s transportation network, situated at the convergence of the Expo Line, the original rapid transit line built in 1986, and the Millennium Line, completed in 2002. Originally designed as a stand-alone Expo Line SkyTrain station (Broadway Station), it has since transformed into a major transit hub with the addition of the Millennium Line (Commercial Station) and the 99 B-Line express bus route.
Approximately 150,000 people use Commercial-Broadway Station on a typical weekday, making it the busiest station in the entire Metro Vancouver transit network. Connections between the Expo Line, the Millennium Line, the 99 B-Line express bus to UBC and other local bus routes all happen at this location. The station’s evolution, however, has occurred incrementally, on constrained sites, and with key functional elements designed in isolation of each other. This has resulted in severe congestion during the morning peak, with long queues at key station “choke points” on an almost daily basis.
Quote:
Phase I Upgrades
Construction of Phase 1 was completed in November 2009 and included the following elements.
• A new south station entrance:
• A second station entrance was added at 10th Avenue in order to increase accessibility and also to improve aesthetics and neighbourhood integration
• A third escalator and a new staircase were added at the south end of the station
• The ground concourse level of the station was doubled in size by expanding it to the new south station entrance, as well as widening it to the west
• An improved north station entrance:
• The north entrance at Broadway Avenue was widened
• The existing elevator at the north end of the platform was replaced with a new larger, more accessible elevator at the south end of the station, in order to eliminate a bottleneck area
• A replacement of the metal mesh panels with glazed panels on the west side of the station’s concourse level to:
• Increase natural light,
• Improve weather protection from wind and rain,
• Improve visibility into and out of the station in order to increase feelings of security and facilitate opportunities for natural surveillance.
• New paving on the concourse level

The Phase 1 upgrades delivered the following key passenger and operational benefits:
• Reduced congestion at critical access points within the station;
• Improved access and circulation;
• Reduced travel times within the station;
• Enhanced safety and security;
• Improved the station environment; and
• Improved integration with the local community and enhanced neighbourhood aesthetics.
Quote:
The current project phase consists of the design and construction of station upgrades to address critical capacity issues leading to patron movement conflicts and increased crowding and wait times, and to accommodate the increased demand before the Evergreen Line becomes operational in 2016.
Phase II Upgrades
Concept Design Confirmation and Schematic Design were completed for the Commercial Broadway Phase II Upgrade in 2011.
The general intent of the project is to improve circulation through the addition of an outboard platform on the east side of the Broadway Station tying into a passerelle spanning Broadway and the retail north of Broadway to ultimately connect into a widened bridge over the Grandview cut, leading to the Commercial Station Entrance. The project scope and the scope of services are further detailed below in the Detailed Design Services.
The original Expo Line, extending from Waterfront Station to New Westminster Station, was conceived as a legacy project of Expo 86 and completed in time to showcase the fair's theme: "Transportation and Communication: World in Motion – World in Touch". It remains an important architectural marker and legacy of a significant period of transformation in the history of the Lower Mainland.
The Expo Line stations, designed by Architektengruppe U-Bahn in 1984, are based on a kit-of-parts approach and feature common elements that create a unified identity across the system. As such, the stations share a common look and feel. The original designers also understood that transit stations should evolve and change over time and a principle objective was to adopt an explicit ‘systems’ architectural language which resulted in details and elements that inherently make the station flexible and extensible. The intention was that the stations be easily maintained and also adapt to changing conditions over time.
These founding principles are strong but they have not been fully realized. While neighbourhoods have grown and station usage patterns and volumes have changed, the stations themselves have generally not evolved to suit. They remain, with a few exceptions, exactly as they did when first opened.
This project presents an opportunity to preserve and even enhance the Expo ‘heritage’ aspect inherent in the Expo Line stations while at the same time, addressing the functional and neighbourhood integration objectives of this station through sympathetic yet distinctly contemporary interventions. Further, there is also the opportunity to build on an existing kit-of parts architectural language that, at a pragmatic level, facilitates future alterations, repairs and maintenance but also serves to reinforce the established identity of the Expo Line stations.
As part of the proposal, TransLink requests that the proponent articulate their position on the value of safeguarding key elements of the station for the purpose of retaining its heritage and identity. The proponent should also explicitly outline their proposed approach to dealing with the heritage aspect of this project and identify key elements or features of the station that would be focused on in order to achieve this end within the bounds of the scope of interventions described within this RFP.
It is expected that the implementation work will be tendered in 2014, with a construction commencing in the fall of 2014. Construction will be completed in the spring of 2016.
Quote:
The Contractor shall perform engineering analysis and prepare detailed engineering design (including electrical, mechanical, civil and structural work, as required) for the following modifications and/or improvements (collectively referred to as the “Work”):
(a) A new outboard platform on the east side of the Commercial Broadway south station area, entailing a similar expansion on the concourse level and appropriately integrated additional vertical circulation
(i) Two escalators, one up and one down
(ii) One full-sized (2.5m wide) staircase
(iii) One new elevator
(iv) One emergency exit staircase
(b) Provisions for future extension of the platform to the south by 2.5 meters, to provide for future longer trains, and the addition of a new roof over the platform extension
(c) Extension of the existing hoop trusses over the south platforms of Commercial Broadway Station and addition of a new roof to cover the new outboard platform.
(d) A new passerelle over Broadway Avenue from the new outboard platform
(e) A new passerelle over the existing Shoppers Drug Mart connected to the new passerelle over Broadway Avenue
(f) Vertical circulation elements to connect the new passerelle to Commercial Concourse
(i) Two escalators, one up and one down
(ii) One staircase
(iii) One elevator
(g) Widening of the existing pedestrian bridge over the Cut, which connects the north platforms 1 & 2 of Commercial Broadway Station with the Commercial Concourse
(i) provides the circulation space required for the landing of the vertical circulation elements connected to the new passerelle
(ii) includes a new roof structure and enclosure
(iii) provides additional needed capacity
(h) Modification of fare gates and ticketing equipment, as required to accommodate the upgrade elements
(i) Upgrading the existing emergency exit stair to a public stair at the Commercial Broadway north station
(j) Replacing mesh panels with glazing at platform level of Broadway Station
(k) Additional ancillary and support spaces
(l) Addition of a public H/C accessible washroom facility in the south concourse.
Quote:
(j) Assist with communication and coordination with adjacent property owners or their representatives, TransLink’s consultants and other external stakeholders. TransLink anticipates the need to coordinate works with the following groups and we anticipate the requirement for Contractor input and attendance.
(i) Safeway
The upgrade will require acquisition of the west portion of the existing operating Safeway grocery store to accommodate the new outboard platform on the east side of the existing station. It also requires negotiation of property rights with the existing Shoppers Drug Mart over which a new passerelle will be built. The successful proponent will be required to liaise with TransLink’s Property’s Division and provide the detail design for the interface between the adjacent properties.
(ii) Environmental Assessment
Based on the age of the Safeway, it is strongly expected that it contains asbestos containing material. An Environmental Consultant will be engaged to complete a hazardous materials assessment of the existing Safeway structure to be demolished to the extent required to allow for the station upgrade. Following the assessment, preparation of specifications for the tender package will be prepared by the Environmental Consultant for the proper demolition and removal of this material by Safeway’s Contactor. The successful proponent shall liaise with the Environmental Consultant to ensure that hazardous materials (if found) are removed to the extent required that they do not impact the Station design and its interface with the remaining Safeway structure.
(iii) BNSF Railway
The project scope includes widening the bridge over the Grandview Cut leading to the Commercial Station Entrance. This bridge spans Burlington Northern Santa Fe’s (BNSF) operating railway tracks. The successful proponent, along with TransLink’s project manager, will be required to communicate with BNSF to ensure that the constructability of the design permits unobstructed BNSF’s operations.
Quote:
Milestone Event
Forecasted Completion
Execute Design Services Contract December 15, 2012
Commence Detailed Design January 3, 2013
Prepare Detailed Design and Cost Estimate (50% Submission) July 2013
TransLink’s Review and approval of Design/Estimate August 2014
Complete Construction Drawings and Specifications for Tender May 2014
Tender Period June 2014 - Aug 2014
Award Construction Contract August 2014
Construction Period September 2014 – April 2016
Acceptance of Final Product April 30, 2016
Source:http://www.translink.ca/~/media/docu...087%20rfp.ashx
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  #625  
Old Posted Nov 9, 2012, 5:00 AM
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hollywoodnorth hollywoodnorth is offline
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thanks for the post.

looks like the MAIN STREET STATION project has been awarded.

Q12-058
Title: Construction Management - Main Street Station
Type: Request for Proposal
Awarded to:

Graham Construction and Engineering

Responses received from:

Graham Construction and Engineering
Ledcor Construction Limited
Magil Construction
Smith Bros. & Wilson (B.C.) Ltd



so we should see it fire up this month.
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  #626  
Old Posted Nov 9, 2012, 5:18 AM
red-paladin red-paladin is offline
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The idea of building the newer part of the Expo Line platform in the same architectural style is very intriguing. This follows the extention of the platform roof in the past. I often thought as a child what it would look like for other buildings to be built in that 'Expo 86' style, and it's interesting to see it happen.
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  #627  
Old Posted Nov 9, 2012, 11:16 PM
officedweller officedweller is offline
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This is an example where expanding an elevated station is far easier than if the station were underground.
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  #628  
Old Posted Dec 4, 2012, 5:01 AM
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jlousa jlousa is offline
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Looks like Translink is taking it's Main st Station upgrades to the DPB on Feb 25th.

[QUOTE]1399 Main Street DE416346 February 25, 2013
TransLink
Interior alterations and additions to the existing SkyTrain station at Main Street and Terminal Avenue; work to include alterations to the main
street and east side stations to create new platforms, stair entries and landscaping[/QUOTE]
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  #629  
Old Posted Dec 4, 2012, 6:41 AM
Jimbo604 Jimbo604 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jlousa View Post
Looks like Translink is taking it's Main st Station upgrades to the DPB on Feb 25th.
Station from 1983 needs upgrading shocker.
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  #630  
Old Posted Dec 4, 2012, 9:47 PM
nname nname is offline
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The RFP for the design of Metrotown Station upgrade is issued here

The estimate time for construction begin early 2014, and complete early-mid 2016.

Description of the works:
(a) Modifications to the existing Metrotown Station
(i) New east entry
(ii) Addition of a new west entry
(iii) Addition of a central entry at the elevators/central stair
(iv) Addition of new vertical circulation elements that improve access to/from the platform:
a. A new down escalator descending from the platform to the mezzanine.
b. Removal of the existing elevator
c. New stair and escalators from mezzanine to grade at the west entry
d. New stair and escalators from mezzanine to grade at the east entry
e. Two new elevators located near the middle of the platform, accessible via the new central entry
f. A new stair provided mid-platform, connecting to mezzanine and grade level (central entry).
g. New stairs and up escalator provided at east end of the platform to replace existing ones
h. New stairs and up escalator at the west end of the platform
(v) Addition of a full length mezzanine connecting all entries and providing rain protection for passenger island at grade, with each of the three entries containing fare gates and ticketing equipment.
(vi) Bike facility and additional auxiliary spaces at grade level
(b) An expanded transit exchange and a proposed passenger island under the station, including:
(i) Design of the bus exchange, including a traffic impact analysis
(ii) Several direct pedestrian connections between the exchange and the station, as well as connections between the exchange and adjacencies.
(iii) Landscape design at grade level
(c) New hoop trusses and extension of the platform roof at the west end
(d) Design to provide for faregates and equipment implementation
(e) Replacing mesh panels with glazing at platform level of existing Metrotown Station

The cost review recommend a complete shutdown of Metrotown station to decrease construction. An option considered for this is to build a temporary "Metrotown East" station at the current pocket track area. Other options include modification of bus routes and temporary bus bridge.
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  #631  
Old Posted Dec 4, 2012, 10:17 PM
Mac Write Mac Write is offline
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Temp station at Pocket track? hmmm that would be very cool. Why not re-locate there? could really expand the station with big side platforms.
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  #632  
Old Posted Dec 4, 2012, 10:29 PM
TransitFreak TransitFreak is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nname View Post
The cost review recommend a complete shutdown of Metrotown station to decrease construction. An option considered for this is to build a temporary "Metrotown East" station at the current pocket track area. Other options include modification of bus routes and temporary bus bridge.
Quickly scanned the RFP, it says no elevator access, with temp staircases on either end of the pocket track. So cover off the pocket track a la New West Station circa 1986, then I assume some concert type scaffolding with poly roof set up and fabric mesh glazing. Elevator access via Patterson or Royal Oak.

I think the 'peel the band-aid off' method would be better long term, but it would be painful to climb construction stairs for 15 months...

That said, 3 entrances and full mezzanine floor below platform level is just awesome!!
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  #633  
Old Posted Dec 4, 2012, 10:42 PM
officedweller officedweller is offline
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That would be climbing more than 3 flights of stairs. The guideway is TALL at Metrotown.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mac Write View Post
Temp station at Pocket track? hmmm that would be very cool. Why not re-locate there? could really expand the station with big side platforms.
That's my question too !
If they can have a temporary station at the crossover, why not build a new permanent station there (with outside platforms)
(or would that be more expensive than the rebuild?)
If alligned with the platforms, the crossover could even be used as a bi-directional station by-pass.
I recall plans for the new bus loop to be under the guideway, so it wouldn't need to connect to the existing bus loop, would it?
The passarelle to Metropolis could be shifted to connect near the office towers or to the former Zellers...
(or is the crossover farther east than that?)

Interesting excerpt from the RFP.
Good to see that the Expo 86 design isn't being discarded (like at Science World or Plaza of Nations)
Note that Main St Station did not conform to the Exo 86 "kit of parts" station design.

Quote:
1.3 Heritage Content

The original Expo Line, extending from Waterfront Station to New Westminster Station, was conceived as a legacy project of Expo 86 and completed in time to showcase the fair's theme: "Transportation and Communication: World in Motion – World in Touch". It remains an important architectural marker and legacy of a significant period of transformation in the history of the Lower Mainland.

The Expo Line stations, designed by a joint venture of Alan Parker & Associates and Architektengruppe U-Bahn in 1984, are based on a kit-of-parts approach and feature common elements that create a unified identity across the system. As such, the stations share a common look and feel. The original designers also understood that transit stations should evolve and change over time and a principle objective was to adopt an explicit „systems‟ architectural language which resulted in details and elements that inherently make the station flexible and extensible. The intention was that the stations be easily maintained and also adapt to changing conditions over time.
These founding principles are strong but they have not been fully realised. While neighbourhoods have grown and station usage patterns and volumes have changed, the stations themselves have generally not evolved to suit. They remain, with a few exceptions, exactly as they did when first opened.

This project presents an opportunity to preserve and even enhance the Expo „heritage‟ aspect inherent in the Expo Line stations while at the same time, addressing the functional and neighbourhood integration objectives of this station through sympathetic yet distinctly contemporary interventions. Further, there is also the opportunity to build on an existing kit-of parts architectural language that, at a pragmatic level, facilitates future alterations, repairs and maintenance but also serves to reinforce the established identity of the Expo Line stations.

As part of the proposal, TransLink requests that the proponent articulate their position on the value of safeguarding key elements of the station for the purpose of retaining its heritage and identity, identifying elements or features that they may deem worth focusing on as part of the project‟s heritage component. The proponent should also explicitly outline their proposed approach to dealing with the heritage aspect of this project in order to achieve this end within the bounds of the scope of interventions described within this RFP.
RFP here

Last edited by officedweller; Dec 4, 2012 at 10:53 PM.
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  #634  
Old Posted Dec 5, 2012, 2:18 AM
jsbertram jsbertram is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimbo604 View Post
Station from 1983 needs upgrading shocker.
Main St was the prototype station used when the mile-long demonstration line was built down Terminal Ave.

Lessons learned about crowding at Main St made for better designs of the other Expo line stations.

Its only taken 30 years to go back and fix these design problems at Main St.
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  #635  
Old Posted Dec 5, 2012, 2:54 AM
red-paladin red-paladin is offline
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I too love the idea of 'finishing' the platform by placing the missing hoop trusses. If you look at the concrete guideway right now you can see spots for them to be anchored.

Maybe it's the OCD in me, but I sniffled a little when seeing the anchor points at New
West Station knowing there is no space or need for the remaining ones to be placed there.
However, I think New West is now nearly-awesome as a skytrain station, and think that Metrotown will be equally great.

While I love portions of the 'Expo '86' design scheme, I have always agreed that the mesh grid panels should be transparent in most sections. Looking forward to that.
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  #636  
Old Posted Dec 6, 2012, 7:28 PM
WarrenC12 WarrenC12 is offline
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Metrotown Station Closing?

http://metronews.ca/news/vancouver/4...for-15-months/

Yikes. Construction to begin in 2014. I kind of doubt the station would be closed for 15 months. And a temporary station? This is the cheapest option somehow?!
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  #637  
Old Posted Dec 10, 2012, 11:25 PM
BCPhil BCPhil is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mac Write View Post
Temp station at Pocket track? hmmm that would be very cool. Why not re-locate there? could really expand the station with big side platforms.
The station where it is and the location of the existing walkway is better than moving further east.

First, having a walkway from an east station would link up with the Target. The main access to a mall shouldn't be through one store. That puts access to the mall at the whim of Target. So if target decides to lock their gates at exactly 6pm on a Sunday with the mall still full, how is everyone supposed to get out to the Skytrain? And I don't think Target would want literally thousands of people passing through their store either. The increase in theft would probably bankrupt the location.

Second, the existing walkway provides direct access to the Metrotowers. That's thousands of commuters who are uniterested in the mall. With a different walkway, commuters would have to be out in the rain on the sidewalk then cross infront of the main parking access where their coworkers are coming in from.

The existing walkway also provides access to Station Square. Moving the station east would throw a wrench in their redevelopment plans. With the station right there, station square has a lot of potential. If the station is not there, there seems to be little reason to change it.

And lastly, the pocket track is an important feature in train management. Waterfront to Metrotown is the most heavily used section of the system. In the very near future, the current shuttle trains that go as far as Broadway, are going to have to go to Metrotown. The pocket track is the perfect location to turn trains around as you can do it without interfering with other moving trains in the area. If the station was AT the pocket track, it would be impossible to use this feature to run shuttle trains to Metrotown.

There is really no good reason to Move the station. If capacity at Metrotown becomes a problem, then side platforms could be built. Passengers could unload on one side, and load on the other. But with the changes being made to the station I don't think that will be a problem for years. What will happen is that passengers heading to the mall will exit/enter via the East end of the platform, and the passengers making transfers to the buses will exit/enter via the West end. That basically splits the passengers almost in half, so you will end up with bunching at both ends of the platform, instead of all at the East end like it is today.

As for the construction, I think they should close the station and get it over quickly. I think it could also result in a much better end product. With it closed they could probably even put a new roof and sides on the place. So I think they should build the temporary station for people accessing the metrotown area, but move all buses to Patterson (or at least pass them all through Patterson) so that passengers have access to escalators and elevators.
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  #638  
Old Posted Dec 11, 2012, 12:17 AM
Gordon Gordon is offline
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Short turning trains at Metrotowwn could well be an important aspect of the post Evergreen Line service plan. I could see trains out of waterfront being short turned at Metrotown but the station reno will be completed long before the Evergreen Line's in service date.
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  #639  
Old Posted Dec 11, 2012, 12:39 AM
officedweller officedweller is offline
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Good point about short-turning and an east station at the crossover. The train would hav to trace an "M" or an "N" to drop off at one platform, then pick up at the other platform.
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  #640  
Old Posted Dec 11, 2012, 1:01 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gordon View Post
Short turning trains at Metrotowwn could well be an important aspect of the post Evergreen Line service plan. I could see trains out of waterfront being short turned at Metrotown but the station reno will be completed long before the Evergreen Line's in service date.
I believe that Metrotown renovation will start in 2014 and will take 2 years to complete, putting its completion date in line with the Evergreen Line. Given how much bitching Corrigan is doing, it could very well finish a year or two later.
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