Update — Thursday, April 22, 2021, 6:15 p.m.*: The TTC opens the second exit at Chester Station Friday, April 23.

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

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 contractors are building an elevator and a second exit at the same time. As part of the “Easier Access” and second-exit projects, from 2 until 8 a.m. Sundays, January 19 and January 26, crews are upgrading electrical work at the concourse level of the station.

For the safety of passengers, they must work work overnight. They’re operating a generator both mornings to supply the necessary power to carry out this work. They’re placing the generator behind the main station in the Easier Access work zone and surround it with sound-proof fencing to help reduce noise.

The generator is a self-contained unit and is the quietest model for work in an urban area. A TTC inspector will be on site during the work to make sure crews keep noise to a minimum. If the contractors do not complete this phase of the project these two mornings, they may return for another Sunday shift.