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 closing Chester Station for two weeks, starting Tuesday, June 9, to advance its ongoing project to build elevators in the station.

In a news release, the transit agency explains that it’s “taking advantage of lighter [passenger] loads to advance important accessibility work” at the station.

Line 2 Bloor - Danforth subway trains won’t drop off or pick up passengers in the station. Board or exit trains at Pape or Broadview stations.

The TTC says the two-week closure will allow it to open the elevators this fall, ahead of the original schedule. It will also mean that it can reopen the pedestrian walkway on the north side of the station earlier than it planned. Crews can also finish restoring concrete at the main entrance of the station.

The release quotes Mayor John Tory, who stated: “This two-week closure now will save many weeks of overall construction… This is exactly the type of common-sense action people expect us to take during the pandemic and I want to thank TTC passengers and local residents for their patience during the closure.”

The station reopens to passengers Tuesday, June 23.

Through the “Easier Access” program, the TTC is installing 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. They started “Easier Access” construction Monday, August 20, 2018. They started the second exit / entrance project Friday, September 21, 2018.