Metrolinx intends to build the Ontario Line subway between Exhibition Place / Ontario Place and the area near the Ontario Science Centre, through downtown Toronto.
Sunday, March 27, Metrolinx formally launched construction of the subway project, starting with upgrading Exhibition GO Station.
Early works to upgrade the south and north platforms on the east side of the station to prepare for future Ontario Line construction now impact how you board and exit trains. Starting Monday, October 3, you can only board and exit trains on the west end of Platform 4 (south platform). GO Transit is closing the east end of Platform 4.
^ Click to enlarge.
Construction on the south platform includes building the foundation for the future temporary pedestrian bridge and installing new curbs, a shelter to protect you from the weather, and a new electrical room. The new bridge will help passengers cross between the north and south platforms. Metrolinx expects to finish working on the east end of the south platform to be completed this winter, meaning as late as until April 30, 2023. And, it expects to complete the bridge “in approximately one year”, meaning as late as October 31, 2023.
Travelling from Exhibition GO Station:
- You can only to board on the west end of Platform 4 (south platform). The east end of the platform is closed during construction.
- Look for signs with information that to explains where you can wait.
- The accessible ramp and coach will be available at all times during construction.
- GO is blocking off small areas on the south side of the station. Contractors need these areas to store construction equipment.
- One PRESTO payment device is unavailable. Use the alternative PRESTO payment devices nearby.
- The north platform remains open.
Travelling to Exhibition GO Station:
- Not all train coaches open doors at Exhibition. You can only exit from coaches with doors that open to the west end of Platform 4 (south platform).
- Listen carefully to announcements on your train to confirm what coaches will open when you arrive at the station.
- Check out the boarding graphic below to see which coaches will be opening at Exhibition GO.
- The accessible ramp and coach will be available at all times during construction.
Monday, June 27, GO opened a new temporary entrance building, just off Atlantic Avenue. The building leads to a tunnel that connects to both the north platform (platform 1) and the south platform (platform 4). Currently, this new entrance building has no elevator. If you have accessibility needs, please use the street-level entrance to the north platform (platform 1). Use the PRESTO card-payment devices at the street-level entrance to the north platform (platform 1) or the payment devices and ticket-vending machines on the south side of the station. GO intends to add PRESTO payment devices to the new entrance building in the coming weeks.
^ Future Exhibition Station north entrance building and shared GO / Ontario Line concourse, pictured from eastern side of Atlantic Avenue. Image, Metrolinx
Also since June 27, crews have been working on the south platform to relocate cables for future Ontario-Line construction. They’re removing the shelter on the east side of the south platform to make space for this work. You can use the nearby shelter further westward along the platform instead. Electrical work on the south platform continues “for a few months”, meaning it continues as late as until October 31.
Metrolinx has postponed work on the platform to prepare the foundation for the new pedestrian bridge.
Monday, March 28, GO temporarily shifted the south platform further east to serve GO trains and make space for Ontario Line construction further west. It removed the north platform to make space for a new Ontario Line and GO platform on the north side of the station. You may notice plywood on small sections of both platforms. It is there to keep you safe while crews install underground utilities in these areas overnight.
During the early-works phases of the project, crews are:
- building a new entrance and exit building on Atlantic Avenue;
- extending the north and south platforms;
- installing a temporary pedestrian bridge between the north and south sides of the station; and
- upgrading the elevator at the south side of the station.
When the early-works phases of the project end, construction to build the new Ontario Line at Exhibition Station will start.