Update — Wednesday, September 2, 2020, 10:46 p.m.: The TTC opened the elevators at Chester Station to passengers today.

Update — Friday, May 22, 5:40 p.m.: Repaving, restoration, walkway closure, starting May 25, 2020.

Update — Friday, February 14, 2020, 10:15 p.m.: Work continues, February 22, 2020.

Update — Friday, January 17, 2020, 7:52 p.m.: TTC crews are using a generator overnight as part of the project, Sundays, January 19 and January 26.

Update — Thursday, September 20, 6:18 a.m. — Construction of the second exit / entrance starts Friday, September 21.

The TTC is continuing its “Easier Access” program to install elevators in its subway stations, making the subway system accessible for everyone. The program supports the Government of Ontario’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. The provincial legislation commits the TTC to achieving a barrier-free transit system by 2025.

It’s also building second exits from stations with just one exit to increase passenger safety during emergencies.

At Chester Station, TTC crews and contractors are working on both projects at the same time to decrease the project timelines and disrupting the neighbourhood.

Starting “as early as” Monday, August 20, contractors are building two new elevators on the west side of Chester Station. They’ll also work to relocate utilities in the nearby Toronto Parking Authority lot.

During this project, crews are:

• excavating;
• shoring; and
• pouring concrete

for the two elevator shafts. Expect noise.

They’ll set up a work zone in the parking lot to receive equipment and materials “as early as” Wednesday, August 15. Access to the north-south laneway will not be available from the parking lot, but it will remain available from Ainsworth Road to the north. The east-west laneway south of the parking lot will remain accessible from the south lot entrance.

Crews work Mondays to Fridays from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Occasionally they may work weekends and crews may also deliver equipment and materials later than 7 p.m.

For transit passengers:

• Access to the main entrance of Chester Station will be available during construction.

For pedestrians:

• The walkway north of the station will remain accessible as long as safely possible during construction.

For cyclists:

• The Bike Share Toronto station north of the station will remain accessible as long as safely possible during construction.

For motorists:

• At least one lane will be available on Chester Avenue at all times.
• The City of Toronto is permitting two-way traffic on Arundel Avenue south of the parking lot only.

The TTC intends to finish installing the elevator and building the second exit by 2021.

Previous Transit Toronto posts about this project:

• “Early work starts at Chester Station for “Easier Access”, second-exit projects” (July 19, 2017), here.
• Overnight Hydro work at Chester Station supports “Easier Access”, second-exit projects” (May 5, 2017), here.
• Chester Station second-exit project”: soil assessment starts February 8” (2016), here.