Top Stories
November 15, 2009 09:20 AM
David Fleischer
The sky’s the limit for York Region’s first subway station.
Whether you are outside waiting for a bus or inside waiting for a subway, you will be able to bask in sunlight at the planned Hwy. 407 station.
Next week, the TTC reviews conceptual designs for the station that will be between Jane Street and Black Creek, just south of Hwy. 407.
Large, sloped windows along the Jane Street frontage will bring light into the concourse and platform level.
A large landing, dubbed “the lily pad” projects out into the multi-storey space.
There are no columns along the platform allowing for an open view up to the sky.
Aecom designed the station in conjunction with Aedas, an international firm whose work includes the World Trade Centre memorial and museum and London’s Whitechapel train station.
The design for the border-straddling Steeles West station was unveiled last month but 407 will be the first station entirely in York Region.
The design is not as far along as Steeles West, with surface facilities, materials, colours and more still to be finalized.
Stained glass artist David Pearl will contribute work to the final concept.
The station will include 600 parking spots and 18 bays for YRT and GO buses.
Initially budgeted at $95 million, costs have climbed to $134 million, mostly due to avoiding impacts on nearby Black Creek.
Also a factor was the need to include provisions for the 407 Transitway.
The rapid transit route is in the very early stages of planning, but the subway stop will be a key hub, forcing planners to ensure it will fit in down the road.
The 8.6-kilometre extension’s terminus at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre is the only station for which no design has yet been presented.
An open house is scheduled for January and a second in the summer will reveal more details about the look of the station.
The subway is expected to begin operation in 2015.