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Posted Nov 17, 2009, 9:12 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 38,341
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News release from TransLink with interesting info:
Quote:
New elevator escalator highlight upgraded Commercial Broadway Station
Greater accessibility, better use of platform space and more natural light are features of the newly upgraded Commercial-Broadway Station, which was officially opened today.
“This re-design reflects how important Commercial-Broadway has become in recent years,” says TransLink CEO Tom Prendergast. “With more than 140 thousand people passing through this hub every day, we have needed to make greater use of the space we have and enable people to use the system more efficiently.”
When it was first built, Broadway Station was not envisioned as a major transfer point, but that has changed with the addition of the Millennium SkyTrain line and the growth of the 99 B and #20 bus lines.
The upgraded station features a new entrance off 10th Avenue, with an escalator and elevator as well as stairs. This will make it easier for disabled customers – particularly those using HandyDART – to get to and from the platform. Replacing the north side elevator, which was in the centre of the platform at the south end of the overhead walkway across Broadway (Avenue), provides more space for customers waiting for SkyTrain and eliminates tricky and potentially dangerous “dodging” to get around the elevator shaft.
The upgrade was completed more than 2 months ahead of time, and more than $4 million under budget at $9.2 million. The provincial government provided $4.27 million, with the remainder coming from TransLink and contributions from Transport Canada and the City of Vancouver through the federal Urban Transportation Showcase Program.
“The Government of Canada is committed to improving and advancing public transportation options,” said Andrew Saxton, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board, and Member of Parliament for North Vancouver. “We are pleased to partner in this project that will improve accessibility, reduce congestion, and enhance safety and security for transit users at Commercial-Broadway Station.”
“The improvements to Commercial-Broadway Station will be of immense benefit to SkyTrain users,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Shirley Bond. “Congestion is reduced, access is improved, and safety and security are enhanced.”
The station is built according to CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) principles to improve safety and security. The glass wall on the concourse level, which has replaced the metal mesh on the west wall, provides more natural light and allows for better neighbourhood surveillance. The new entrance off 10th Avenue removes the “dead-end” on the ground floor. The electric lighting is now at the same standard as that at Millennium Line stations (part of an overall upgrade to the lighting along the Expo Line).
The station has been designed as more of a community “focal point”, especially when seen in conjunction with the nearby community garden project, which opened in the past year on a lot contributed by TransLink and the BC Rapid Transit Company. It is expected that increasing the community element in the area will make the station itself safer and more inviting.
The upgrading of Commercial-Broadway Station is part of a general makeover planned for the original Expo Line stations to meet the capacity needs of the Metro Vancouver region. Plans for future phases, subject to funding, include a doubling of platform capacity at Commercial-Broadway and renovations at Main Street-Science World Station (including a new elevator on the east side).
Commercial-Broadway Station Upgrade
Some Questions and Answers
How much did the upgrade cost?
The final cost was $9.2 million -- $4 million under budget. The Province of British Columbia contributed $4.27 million, and other funding came from TransLink and the Urban Transportation Showcase Program, jointly funded with up to $1.8 million from Transport Canada and by the City of Vancouver.
It also finished 2-1/2 months ahead of schedule
this is particularly good news for people with disabilities, as their access to the Commercial-Broadway station upper platforms had to be adapted during the time the north end elevator was closed and the south elevator was installed
Why was this upgrade necessary?
Metro Vancouver’s transportation needs are expanding rapidly to meet the demands of the growing region
In 2008, more than 73.5 million trips were taken on SkyTrain, up from 66.3 million in 2005 – a gain of nearly 11% during that time.
Many of the first SkyTrain stations that were opened in 1986 need to be reconfigured to accommodate this increase in ridership. Commercial-Broadway is the first to be upgraded.
Why start here?
Broadway Station – as it was originally called – was not originally intended to be a major transportation centre. The success of the 99 B-Line and the opening of the Millennium Line, however, made the Broadway-Commercial “hub” a very busy transfer point.
Commercial-Broadway is now the busiest hub on the SkyTrain network
More than 140,000 passengers pass through the Commercial-Broadway “hub” every day.
Passenger congestion – with its issues of security, comfort, safety and convenience – is a particular problem at Commercial-Broadway. These upgrades address those issues.
What is included in Phase One?
Glass blocks replace concrete walls, making the station more aesthetically pleasing
The roof now extends from end to end on the platform, providing more protection from the elements
New 10th Avenue entrance, allowing better access for HandyDART
New elevator off the 10th Ave. entrance
The 10th Ave. entrance also provides a “flow-through” passage south from Broadway, eliminating the “dark, dead-end” feel the station had previously
Removal of the elevator on the north side of the platform:
allows better passenger movement on the platform, increasing space for people to wait for trains
safety is improved, as people no longer have to dodge around the elevator shaft to get to their trains
the more open space better distributes customers along the platform, increasing their opportunity to get on the train during rush hours (SkyTrains often have more room at the end furthest from the entrance)
improved lighting
as well as the new elevator, there is also a new escalator at the 10th Ave. entrance
How does the new station design promote safety and security?
The station employs the CPTED principle -- Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design:
Replacing the metal grid and concrete walls with glass blocks provides more natural light and less opportunity for criminals to hide from view
As noted above, lighting is improved – raised to the same standards as at Millennium Line stations
The opening of the 10th Ave. entrance provides a greater “flow-through” feel between Broadway and 10th Ave.
The design of the station makes it more of a community “focal point”, especially with the urban garden project, which opened in the past year on a nearby lot contributed by TransLink and the BC Rapid Transit Company. More “eyes and ears” at more times of day is one of the key elements of CPTED.
Why change the name?
“Commercial-Broadway” is the official new name for The Stations Formerly Known As “Broadway” and “Commercial Drive”. Canada Line has “Broadway-City Hall” Station, and when emergency responders expressed concern that there could be confusion between the stations at a time when a life was on the line, the name for this station was changed.
Is SkyTrain service itself expanding?
The province contributed approximately one-quarter of the cost of purchasing 48 new SkyTrain cars to expand the fleet
Because of the timing of train movements, it’s not possible to increase the number of trains in service, however, it is possible to make the trains longer. This allows each train to “clear” the platform more efficiently and reduce the amount of time people have to wait for trains during peak periods.
Anecdotally, we have reports that waits between trains during peak periods have been significantly reduced since the new cars went into service and other measures – such as running “turnback[1]” trains during the morning rush hour.
These new cars have been going into service to expand the fleet over the course of this year, and should all be in service in time for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Is there a Phase Two, and what other stations will be upgraded?
Phase Two plans include outside platforms to increase capacity even further.
Proceeding is totally dependent on funding.
An upgrade of Main Street/Science World Station is also in the plans, which would include a new elevator on the east side (nearest Pacific Central railway station).
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