SkyTrain Station Renovations

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by cabotp

I'm only guess here. But to me outside platforms means on the outside of the track like so

Current configuration

T = Train track
P = Platform

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

now outside platforms to me would be

PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

Although I could be wrong. Basically double sided loading and unloading

All I can say is that would be wicked

This is correct.
Outside platforms vs. centre platform

[deasine]

Originally Posted by officedweller

This is correct.
Outside platforms vs. centre platform

This was only indicated at the Metrotown Stn plan, but then plans change. The only issue is that it would be somewhat challenging to implement such a configuration. Of course, currently, it's impossible to squeeze an outside platform at Platform 3, meaning the Safeway redevelopment plan must be planned with the station expansion. The outside platforms cannot connect with Platforms 1 & 2, or else the stores north of Broadway must be redeveloped, meaning these outside platforms can only serve south of Broadway...

[officedweller]

I figure it would have to be post Safeway redevelopment - conceivably, if the platforms extend to the north over Broadway (in keeping with the Expo Line capacity exapnsion), stairs or escalators could take passengers down to the M-Line side.

[CBeats]

Originally Posted by deasine

I'm guess the platform extensions will be northwards overtop of 10th Avenue.

As far as I know, the Main Street/Science World and Metrotown platforms were getting new roofs that would cover platform extensions. I wasn't really thinking about adding outside platforms...I meant lengthening of the platforms.

[deasine]

Originally Posted by CBeats

As far as I know, the Main Street/Science World and Metrotown platforms were getting new roofs that would cover platform extensions. I wasn't really thinking about adding outside platforms...I meant lengthening of the platforms.

That is what I thought it meant because the original plans didn't provide any indication that more platforms would be created. Either way though, lengthening the platforms must take place, even if it isn't included in phase 2 of the upgrades, because all platforms on the Expo Line must be lengthened, as per Provincial Transportation Plan.

Main Street-Science World (can someone explain why it's Main Street-Science World, when it's not Science World-Main...) has roofs over its new platform extension because the extension is to be incorporated with the new, upgraded entrance. Based on the latest renderings, the new elevator is at the other far end of the platform, requiring a roof.

[SpongeG]

cause it serves main street?

[Hed Kandi]

What is the timeline for the Main and Metrotown station renos?

[twoNeurons]

Originally Posted by deasine

(can someone explain why it's Main Street-Science World, when it's not Science World-Main...)

The chances of Main St. changing names is smaller than the chances of Science World Changing (which almost became "The Telusphere World of Science" ). It also relates to the Main st. Bus line. There is no Science World Bus line. In short, Science World can be easily repurposed... and in fact, it was repurposed after the line came online, being originally an Expo pavilion.

Also seems to be in line other stations with hyphenated names including a street name:
Joyce-Collingwood
Production Way - University

VCC-Clark is an exception, but in this case, VCC is the more well known entity.

The Canada Line also puts Oakridge and Langara ahead of the avenue name, however, Langara is a major institution and a neighbourhood name. Oakridge follows the Metrotown convention.

[cabotp]

Originally Posted by Hed Kandi

What is the timeline for the Main and Metrotown station renos?

While this is only a wild guess. Chances are the Evergreen line will be built before the renos for Main and Metrotown are done. Translink currently has no money so these projects are on the back burner for now.

Although I do hope they do the Metrotown reno first before the Main street one. That station's entrance is seriously undersized for the amount of people that use it.

[Waders]

Originally Posted by cabotp

While this is only a wild guess. Chances are the Evergreen line will be built before the renos for Main and Metrotown are done. Translink currently has no money so these projects are on the back burner for now.

Although I do hope they do the Metrotown reno first before the Main street one. That station's entrance is seriously undersized for the amount of people that use it.

A Request for Proposal was issued last year for the Metrotown SkyTrain Station Upgrade – Preliminary Design. Unfortunately the RFP was cancelled.
I can't imagine how packed Metrotown station will be in a few years time. It will create safety issue. During the past Boxing day, the footbridge was restricted to 1 way traffic. Passengers had to cross the street to get to the mall.

[mr.x]

Originally Posted by Waders

A Request for Proposal was issued last year for the Metrotown SkyTrain Station Upgrade – Preliminary Design. Unfortunately the RFP was cancelled.
I can't imagine how packed Metrotown station will be in a few years time. It will create safety issue. During the past Boxing day, the footbridge was restricted to 1 way traffic. Passengers had to cross the street to get to the mall.

I don't think that has ever happened before...not only is the footbridge too small, the ticketing concourse is also too small and they also need to find a way to install at least one more staircase and escalator.

[Spork]

Originally Posted by mr.x

I don't think that has ever happened before...not only is the footbridge too small, the ticketing concourse is also too small and they also need to find a way to install at least one more staircase and escalator.

If I can remember correctly, the RFP included:

• A widened footbridge
• A levelling out of the concourse to the footbridge level (eliminating the step)
• An enlarged eastern concourse
• A separate western entrance
• A bus loop underneath of the station

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by mr.x

I don't think that has ever happened before...not only is the footbridge too small, the ticketing concourse is also too small and they also need to find a way to install at least one more staircase and escalator.

And faregates.

[Metro-One]

I thought the long term plan was to have 2 or 3 pedestrian bridges linking the station to the mall (and some new potential developments)

I remember seeing such a render.

Seems silly to me, Metrotown is the first station that should receive upgrades. It is so busy and yet it is one of the worst designed and dirtiest stations we have.

[cabotp]

Originally Posted by Waders

A Request for Proposal was issued last year for the Metrotown SkyTrain Station Upgrade – Preliminary Design. Unfortunately the RFP was cancelled.
I can't imagine how packed Metrotown station will be in a few years time. It will create safety issue. During the past Boxing day, the footbridge was restricted to 1 way traffic. Passengers had to cross the street to get to the mall.

I would actually consider it to be a safety issue today. Most of us would consider January to be a slow month for retail sales. And yet I was there this past saturday. And 2 trains show and and wham the whole platform is full and everyone is trying to go down the one set of stairs. And this is the slow month. Last month was crazy. I lined up for the stairs at about 3/4 of the way up the platform the weekend before Christmas at 7pm at night.

The whole station was poorly designed. Considering when the line was being built they already were building the mall. And the plan was to turn into the one of the biggest shopping residential destinations in Metro Vancouver. And yet they build a station with one tiny cross over and only one set a stairs to the platform excluding the fire escape stairs at the west side

[Zassk]

When the Metrotown shopping phenomenon was new, I recall reading that this SkyTrain station was not intended to be built in time for the line's opening, but the (forthcoming) malls pitched in money to get it built ahead of plans... much like City of Vancouver paid for Olympic Village station. I suspect that not much effort was put into the station's design and not much forethought was put into the area's future traffic needs.

[BCPhil]

Metrotown station is very high off the ground. It must be close to one of the highest. There is enough room under the station for an end to end concourse, which I think would work well. You could then have multiple stairs up and down. You could then rebuild the East overhead walkway to go straight to the mall, and build a new West overhead walkway to connect directly to the bus loop.

The current stairs up from the bus loop are a bit awkward, and I don't really see a way to fix that situation without closing the whole thing for months. If a separate set of stairs came up from the bus loop directly onto a dedicated walkway, it would greatly improve transfer times and split traffic so it doesn't feel as crowded.

Personally I would like to see the space under and around the station reserved for future use, not a bus loop. There is a lot of potential for Metrotown to be a major hub, and have a second station for a new Skytrain or LRT line, like Kingsway Streetcar, or cross town down 41/49 or North down Willingdon. That's years off, but it would be wise to save the space for it now to reduce future costs.

[Waders]

Translink's RFQ for 'Smart Card and Faregate Project (Station Design)' was closed just a few days ago.
9 companies had responded. It is interesting to note that some stations including Metrotown station are outside the scope of this project.

From the RFQ document:

Modifications to Main Street / Science World, Broadway, Metrotown and New Westminster stations on the Expo Line are being undertaken as part of separate initiatives within TransLink.

Since Metrotown station really has no existing space for faregates, It looks like Translink still has to find money to get the station retrofitted(at least expand the station envelopes where the TVM are located) before 2012.
May be the federal government can clip in some money again.

[usog]

Originally Posted by Waders

Translink's RFQ for 'Smart Card and Faregate Project (Station Design)' was closed just a few days ago.
9 companies had responded. It is interesting to note that some stations including Metrotown station are outside the scope of this project.

From the RFQ document:


Since Metrotown station really has no existing space for faregates, It looks like Translink still has to find money to get the station retrofitted(at least expand the station envelopes where the TVM are located) before 2012.
May be the federal government can clip in some money again.

Ooooo, I'm interested in seeing who/what bid. Is there a list available or will they eventually release it?

[Waders]

Originally Posted by usog

Ooooo, I'm interested in seeing who/what bid. Is there a list available or will they eventually release it?

The list of companies responded is listed in Translink website at http://www.translink.ca/en/About-TransLi...ding-Opportunities/Closed-Bids/2009.aspx, so I assume they are public information.

Here is the list:

Reference No. Q9-0095
Title: Smart Card and Faregate Project (Station Design)
Type: Request for Qualifications
Responses received from:
Abbarach Architecture
The Colborne Architectural Group
Genivar
Hotson Bakker Boniface Haden Architecture
Kasian
PBA Engineering Ltd.
SNC-Lavalin
Stantec
Walter Francl Architecture

Shortlisted/Pre-qualified Companies:
TBA