SkyTrain Station Renovations

[Klazu]

Metrotown station few days ago.

[dpogue]

They've been single-tracking through Metrotown at night this week, and the station will be closed entirely for the weekend of August 27th-28th. I suspect some sort of major structural work (lifting the roof?) will happen during that time.

[Waders]

Originally Posted by dpogue

They've been single-tracking through Metrotown at night this week, and the station will be closed entirely for the weekend of August 27th-28th. I suspect some sort of major structural work (lifting the roof?) will happen during that time.

Shutting down Metrotown station for 2 full days?

[Klazu]

They have been single-tracking several times for at least a month. Also the crane has been there for weeks, so not sure how quickly that will happen.

I cannot wait for this project to finish as the station is crowded at most times. The fliw of people is actually very interesting to watch but more space is seriously needed!

Are they extending the platform for longer trains in the future? I think they should with every station renovation on Expo Line. Having 8-train Mark I and 6-train Mark II trains would be amazing. One can dream.

[Waders]

Originally Posted by Klazu

Are they extending the platform for longer trains in the future?

I don't think the platform can be further extended without tearing down the new escalators being built at both ends of the platform.
In your 3rd picture in the last post, the sloped metal frame is the support structure for the new escalators at the new west station house.


Picture from Via-Architecture

[dpogue]

Originally Posted by Waders

Shutting down Metrotown station for 2 full days?

I was mistaken, it's not for 2 full days:

August 26 From 11:00pm until the end of service Metrotown station will be closed. No train service between Patterson and Royal Oak stations. Train service frequency from Patterson westwards, and from Royal Oak eastwards, will be normal. Millennium Line trains will operate VCC-Clark – Royal Oak. Eastbound train service from Royal Oak will be extended to ensure that passengers catching the last trains from downtown Vancouver can connect to the bus at Patterson and then to the train at Royal Oak. Trains will operate later than normal at some stations. Shuttle buses will operate frequently between Patterson – Metrotown - Royal Oak stations. Allow 15-20 minutes extra travel time.

August 27 From midnight until the end of service Metrotown station will be closed. No train service between Patterson and Royal Oak stations. Train service frequency from Patterson westwards, and from Royal Oak eastwards, will be normal. Millennium Line trains will operate VCC-Clark – Royal Oak. Eastbound train service from Royal Oak will be extended to ensure that passengers catching the last trains from downtown Vancouver can connect to the bus at Patterson and then to the train at Royal Oak. Trains will operate later than normal at some stations. Shuttle buses will operate frequently between Patterson – Metrotown - Royal Oak stations. Allow 15-20 minutes extra travel time.

August 28 and 29 From 9:30pm until the end of service trains will single-track using the (westbound) platforms at Patterson and Metrotown stations (Patterson and Metrotown eastbound platforms closed). The Millennium Line will operate VCC-Clark – Columbia only. Allow 10-15 minutes extra travel time.

(from http://www.translink.ca/en/Schedules-and-Maps/Alerts.aspx?tab=0)

[Anorak]

Originally Posted by Waders

I don't think the platform can be further extended without tearing down the new escalators being built at both ends of the platform.
In your 3rd picture in the last post, the sloped metal frame is the support structure for the new escalators at the new west station house.


Picture from Via-Architecture

How long with the platform at Metrotown be then, after the expansions are complete?

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by Anorak

How long with the platform at Metrotown be then, after the expansions are complete?

The platform will be the same length. The current stationhouse will be much larger and will have a matching stationhouse at the other end of the platform. That combined with 3 elevators and stairs in the middle-ish of the platform will make for much better passenger circulation.

[Waders]

Originally Posted by dpogue

I was mistaken, it's not for 2 full days:


(from http://www.translink.ca/en/Schedules-and-Maps/Alerts.aspx?tab=0)

Sign of relief.

Looks like some important construction work is planned for that weekend. Heavy lifting of the roof truss?

[dpogue]

From the Buzzer, An update on Metrotown Station upgrades:

The loop trusses, which will be installed above the west stationhouse as the station’s structural roof, arrived in four separate pieces.

Crews have assembled them on the ground in two pieces. Once fully constructed, the loop truss will weigh approximately 120 tons (240,000lbs) and will be around 64.5 metres (212 feet) in length!

[...]

Construction crews will lift the loop truss, over two weekends: August 26-27 and September 9-10.

In order to lift the 120 ton structure into place, two cranes will be used – a 250 ton crane and a 500 ton crane.

And guess what? We’re going to have a video time lapse of the installation for you!

[urbancanadian]

Thanks for the info. Just noticed that they've included SSP on their links bar:

SkyscraperPage Forum: Transportation and Infrastructure (Local Vancouver)

http://buzzer.translink.ca/2016/08/an-update-on-metrotown-station-upgrades/

[GMasterAres]

Originally Posted by Klazu

Are they extending the platform for longer trains in the future? I think they should with every station renovation on Expo Line. Having 8-train Mark I and 6-train Mark II trains would be amazing. One can dream.

Back in 2010 Translink released a report that said the majority of platforms are 80m long which can accomodate 5 car MK II configuration and that moving to a platform length (105m) that would accommodate 6 car (8 car MK-I) would be too costly and is not needed at this time.

The 5 car MKII/III configuration would only require 4 stations on the whole of Expo to require modest platform extension, Metrotown not being one of those to my understanding.

Basically 5 car Mark II is about the same length as a 5 car Mark III. But 6 car Mark I would be the max since they are 76m long.

They did reference plans in the long term to go through a major capital project to extend all platforms to 105 meters but we're talking 20+ years likely for that.

[Waders]

At Metrotown station, steel columns to support the 120 tons roof loop truss(bottom right of the picture) have been erected.

Picture taken by me through the dirty and reflective front window of a skytrain.

[officedweller]

Thanks!
I was expecting ordinary straight steel tubular columns (Like Broadway & Commercial)

[officedweller]

Bob Ransford asks what's being done at Richmond Brighouse Station?


https://twitter.com/BobRansford

[hollywoodnorth]

so how many months behind schedule is this project already? Phase 1 is what 6 months behind?

GOOD WORK TRANSLINK! they have the best PM's money can buy .... NOT!

[Waders]

Originally Posted by hollywoodnorth

so how many months behind schedule is this project already? Phase 1 is what 6 months behind?

GOOD WORK TRANSLINK! they have the best PM's money can buy .... NOT!

Good question. Looks like Translink has revised the schedule.

According to Translink's web site, both Centre stationhouse and West stationhouse construction will now be completed in Spring 2017.
East Stationhouse construction will be completed in Winter 2017/2018.

So the project is still on schedule.

[Waders]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Thanks!
I was expecting ordinary straight steel tubular columns (Like Broadway & Commercial)

Yeah, it looks quite 'bulky'. I like the the new support columns at Broadway/Commerical station better.
Hopefully some outer shell can be used to cover the steel beam to make it looks better and to protect it from the elements.

[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by Waders

Good question. Looks like Translink has revised the schedule.

According to Translink's web site, both Centre stationhouse and West stationhouse construction will now be completed in Spring 2017.
East Stationhouse construction will be completed in Winter 2017/2018.

So the project is still on schedule.

yup that's what they did with MAIN STREET SKYTRAIN also. they would keep updating the schedule .... must have been like 4 or 5 times. so they were "on schedule" such a sleazy and douchey way to do it. but I expect no less. Who ever manages these projects for Translink are some of the stupidest and most mindless people I have ever encountered. I talked to them a few times on the phone calling into ask WTF was going on but was told "we are still on target" "we are still on schedule" etc etc etc. bullshit upon bullshit upon bullshit. I know they read this forum ... would love for someone from Translink to post here and explain their retardation.

[GeeCee]

Would it be a transportation project in BC if it wasn't "on time and on schedule"?