Update — Friday, August 7, 9:21 a.m.: From 5 a.m. Saturday, August 8 until 5 a.m. Monday, August 3, the TTC is again closing the bus terminal and detouring buses.

Update — Friday, July 31, 4:38 p.m.: From Saturday, August 1 until Monday, August 3, the TTC is again closing the bus terminal and detouring buses.

^ The new elevator at Wellesley Station. Image: TTC

Wednesday, July 22, the TTC opened the elevators at Wellesley Station to passengers, making Wellesley the 47th accessible station in the TTC system.

Unofficially, it seems also to have recently opened one of two second exits / entrances between the station and the nearby condominium development at #17 Dundonald Street, north and east of the station. Construction continues for another development that will also provide a second exit / entrance for the station at #587 Yonge Street, on the northeast corner of Yonge and Dundonald.

TTC contractors started the project to install two elevators in Wellesley Station — one each to let passengers access the south- and northbound platforms, Sunday, April 1, 2018. During the project, the crews also improved signs and wayfinding in the station and installed security cameras.

^ Conceptual drawing of elevator layout at Wellesley Station. Image: TTC

The TTC closed the bus terminal to passengers during the first phase of construction until December 31. It also closed the terminal at various other times during the project. Buses along the 94 Wellesley route dropped off and picked up passengers on Wellesley Street East near the station.

The TTC started building a tunnel to connect the station to the two new exits / entrances in “spring 2016”. It completed the infrastructure that fall, but it couldn’t open the exits until developers finished onstruction of the condominium buildings.

^ Conceptual drawing of 17 Dundonald with Wellesley Station second exit and automatic entrance (staircase access only) after construction is complete. A walkway at the right of the exit / entrance leads pedestrians to Wellesley Street East near the main station building. Image: TTC

^ Conceptual drawing of 587 Yonge Street with Wellesley Station second exit and automatic entrance (staircase access only) after construction is complete. Image: TTC

^ A view of the nearly-completed second entrance to Wellesley station at 17 Dundonald Street, taken by Nathan Ng on July 20, 2020.

^ A view of Wellesley station’s second entrance mezzanine, off of Dundonald, nearly ready for TTC passengers, seen from the entrance doors looking south. Intriguingly, the station’s name has been placed on the walls here just like the platforms below. This photo was taken on July 20, 2020 by Nathan Ng.

^ A view of the passage from the northbound platform to the Dundonald entrance open for business on July 28, 2020. Photo by Nathan Ng.

With its “Easier Access” program, the TTC is installing elevators in rapid-transit 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.

The TTC is also building second exits in stations without one to improve the safety of passengers during an emergency.