TTC Bay Station Renovation

Bay Subway Station is a station on TTC’s Line 2 that was originally constructed in the 1960’s. The 3-level station, located in the heart of Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood at Bay St and Bloor St W, is situated below-grade with multiple access points at street level through existing at-grade retail facilities. As part of the TTC’s modernization program, the centre-platform station required upgrades to accommodate full accessibility (Easier Access) including the installation of an additional elevator to access the eastbound and westbound platforms from the concourse level.  

J.J. McGuire was engaged by TTC to provide construction services for the complex renovation. The project included the installation of new elevator shafts and elevator mechanical spaces for the new elevator. Other upgrades undertaken concurrently included upgrades to all station finishes, new HVAC systems, fire alarms, and sprinkler system for the overall station, a new lunchroom for TTC operators and other staff, and a new, secured Lost Articles Area for the overall TTC system. More than a foot of concrete was removed from the existing concourse level to achieve the headroom required for the new elevator shaft, while the foundations were located more than two levels below the platform in the Lower Bay station.

Due to on-going operations and public access required in the station, the location of the new elevator on the centre platform, and the presence of the decommissioned Lower Bay Station below the existing, operational station, J.J. McGuire undertook extensive sequencing and planning for the work. To  maintain public access, no work was conducted in rush-hour windows. Work on the concourse was undertaken between 9am and 2pm, and work required in the tracks area was done in the limited off-hours between 2am and 5am.