Keeping transit service operating during major station construction adds significant staging, access and coordination requirements for project teams. EllisDon's current and completed work across Toronto's transit network illustrates the construction demands involved in upgrading infrastructure within active transportation facilities, including phased work, temporary facilities and system relocations.
At Warden Station, construction is proceeding as the facility remains in service. The redevelopment is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027 and will add infrastructure intended to improve accessibility and passenger circulation.
The scope includes a new accessible entrance, elevators serving the station's levels, new escalators, a street-level bus terminal and upgrades to passenger areas. The project also includes retail and operational spaces, a dedicated passenger pick-up and drop-off area and electrical upgrades throughout the station.
Construction activities include enabling work, temporary transit facilities, earthwork, retaining walls and the relocation of utilities and other infrastructure. Maintaining bus and subway operations requires these activities to be sequenced around existing transit functions.
EllisDon has also worked on accessibility improvements at Sherbourne, Lawrence and Castle Frank stations. The projects have included elevators linking street, concourse and platform levels, barrier-free entrances, updated wayfinding and new mechanical, electrical and communications systems.
The work requires construction to be integrated with existing station infrastructure rather than delivered as a standalone facility. Phased execution and coordination with transit operations are therefore central to maintaining station functionality during construction.
Other Toronto transit projects involving EllisDon include work at Union Station and Victoria Park Station. At Union, the scope included expanded platform capacity, additional concourse space and changes to passenger circulation. At Victoria Park, an elevated bus terminal was replaced with an at-grade facility that incorporated accessibility improvements and upgraded passenger facilities.
For owners and contractors working on active transportation infrastructure, the projects demonstrate how station modernization can combine civil, structural, utility, electrical and accessibility work within operating facilities.
The Warden redevelopment in particular requires construction sequencing around ongoing subway and bus service, making temporary facilities, utility coordination and phased construction important components of project delivery. EllisDon's TTC portfolio also spans work dating back more than four decades, including construction associated with the former Scarborough RT elevated guideway.
Source: EllisDon
