Tracks 2 TTC and 2 GO Transit Disabled access Yes Level 3 Architect Aedas | Platform levels 3 Status Under construction Platforms in use 1 | |
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Location 1212 Sheppard Ave West,
Toronto, Ontario
Canada Operated by Toronto Transit Commission
Go Transit Similar Finch West, York University, Downsview, Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, Lawrence East | ||
Downsview Park is an intermodal transit facility under construction on the University branch of the Yonge–University line of the subway system in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located on the south side of Sheppard Avenue West where the GO Transit Barrie line crosses, and is expected to open after the end of 2017.
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Name
The station was originally expected to be named Sheppard West and is still officially referred to by that name during construction.
Approval was given in 2010 for the station to be named Downsview Park, subject to the satisfactory resolution of negotiations between the Toronto Transit Commission, the City of Toronto, and Parc Downsview Park related to property acquisition, and to rename the existing Downsview station to Sheppard West.
Description
The station building is constructed of glass, stone, and aluminum blend and has a green roof. It is designed to allow sunlight to reach the subway platform. The artwork Spin by artist Panya Clark Espinal spans the interior's walls, floors, and ceilings. Artist Espinal also created the artwork for Bayview Station.
Downsview Park Station is a fully integrated multi-modal transit facility serving both the TTC and GO Transit trains. In contrast, other interchanges between TTC subway and GO Transit rail lines have separate structures for each agency. The TTC subway platform will be built underground on an east–west axis parallel to Sheppard Avenue West, and the GO Transit commuter rail station will be built at the surface on a north–south axis. (The GO Station is situated on the Barrie line.) An intermediate TTC concourse level will be located below ground between the two. GO Transit has committed to cost sharing at this station. Upon its opening, this station will replace the York University GO Station located a short distance to the north; that station will then be closed. A southerly extension of Bakersfield Street on the west side of the station will provide vehicle access and passenger drop off.
The station is located in a low density district; however, the TTC expects mixed use development on nearby land. The GO train connection is also expected to boost ridership.
Construction
Architecture firm Aedas was commissioned to design the station; their initial plan provides twinned entrances on opposite sides of the rail corridor, each with green roofs that resemble landing strips or wings.
The official ground breaking ceremony for the Spadina Extension was held on 27 November 2009, however tunnelling operations did not commence until June 2011.
It is estimated that 31 December 2017 would be the earliest achievable date to deliver the project.
Nearby landmarks
Nearby landmarks include Downsview Park, which is Canada's National Urban Park and played host to World Youth Day in 2002 and the SARSstock concert in 2003. The Park is site of an airstrip used by an airplane manufacturer Bombardier Aerospace and formerly used as Canadian Forces Base Downsview. Other points of interest include the Chesswood hockey arenas, and the industrial lands north of Sheppard.
Surface connections
A transfer is required to connect between the subway and surface bus routes.