Nicholas Maronese
Editor-in-Chief
If you thought you knew your way around York’s Keele campus, you may want to think again.
The Harry W. Arthurs Commons at the heart of campus will be undergoing some major changes this January as the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) begins construction on the York University and Steeles West subway stations.
The changes include the closure of a portion of Ian Macdonald Blvd. from north of the Schulich School of Business to south of the Ontario Archives building, the addition of a diversion road that goes around the York Blvd. parking lot, the re-routing of the TTC buses through the commons bus loop and the relocation of the Viva and YRT bus stops to a spot on Ian Macdonald Blvd. just south of the Chimneystack Rd.
According to Christopher Wong, director of transportation with the York University Development Corporation, the changes will begin once the TTC contracts a firm to start construction on the subway tunnels between Finch Ave. and the Vaughan Corporate Centre sometime this month. Once begun, construction – and the temporary changes – will last for four years.
There will also be changes on the northwest corner of campus, where the Steeles West station is being built and the tunnel-boring machines will be lowered into the ground. The Northwest Gate, west of the Track and Field Centre, will be closed off entirely, and has already been converted into a temporary parking lot for day parking.
Some commuters will be displaced by the changes to the Northwest Gate parking lots; those with parking permits in that space were warned in October 2010 that they would have to find a new space off campus.
The changes are apt to confuse many students commuting to York by both car and bus, but Wong noted that York and the TTC will erect signs around campus to help ease the transition.
Carolyn Embury, a communication specialist with the TTC, added the two bodies would be using other communication initiatives to let students know about the changes as well. They plan on hosting another open house for the community some time in February or March.
The administration has also posted updates on a new webpage, www.yorku.ca/subway.
Moreover, York and the TTC are working together to ensure minimal noise disruptions from ongoing construction. The sound of the tunneling machines, which will work 60 feet below ground level, should largely go unnoticed by students.
SUMMARY OF CHANGES – YORK UNIVERSITY
New road
A road running north-south through the York Boulevard Parking Lot will connect York Boulevard to Ian MacDonald Blvd. north of the construction site.
Bus route diversion
TTC buses will take a diversion road on the south leg of York Blvd. and use a new, shortened bus loop formed by the temporary road through the commons.
Pedestrian walkway
Pedestrian traffic will use a walk-way adjacent to the temporary road through the commons to cross between York Lanes and the Accolade East building.
YRT, Viva busses move
The YRT and Viva bus stops in front of the Ontario Archives will be moved one block north, just east of the Vanier parking lot; the Brampton ZUM stop will be moved north of Chimneystack Rd.
New parking lot
An additional parking lot will be constructed south of Chimneystack Rd. to handle some of the displaced cars parking on campus.
SUMMARY OF CHANGES – STEELES WEST
Northwest Gate closed
The Northwest Gate will be completely closed to all traffic, and will be converted into a temporary day parking lot.
Construction site
The parking lot adjacent to the Northwest Gate will be used as a temporary work site for the construction crew.
Commuters
Commuters with parking permits for the lot adjacent to the Northwest Gate have been asked to find space off campus.
