Yorkdale station

A number of TTC stations are getting second exits to improve customer safety and convenience. Some are under construction, with several still in the planning process. Chester, College, Donlands, Dundas, Dundas West, Greenwood, Museum, and Summerhill subway stations are all getting second exits as part of the TTC’s Second Exit Program. The program was developed to enhance safety for customers and staff, providing an additional way out of subway stations in case of emergency, as many TTC stations currently have only one exit. Second exits also improve customer convenience.

As part of its commitment to modernization, TTC is implementing a new Second Exit Planning and Consultation Process. A panel of third party experts created an evaluation framework to guide the community and TTC in evaluating location options for second exits. Read the September 2015 Board Report to the TTC Board and view the framework.

The next step in this process is the establishment of local working groups to propose and evaluate location options for each of the stations listed above. Find out more about the local working groups here.

Planning second exits is a challenging and complicated task, taking many factors into account and balancing engineering, fire/life safety and community need.

Effective second exits must provide:

• A fast way out of the station
• Convenience to encourage day-to-day use and familiarity in an emergency
• Respectful integration into the neighbourhood

Second exits projects must be:

• Cost effective
• Limit construction disruption
• In the public interest (local area, TTC riders, taxpayer)

Of the 14 “priority” subway stations which were initially identified as needing a second exit in a 2002 fire/life safety analysis, eight are still to be completed: Chester, College, Donlands, Dundas, Dundas West, Greenwood, Museum and Summerhill. Some of these will be more difficult to build than others, and will have more significant impacts on the surrounding communities.

The new planning and consultation process is designed to:

• Deepen understanding of the need for second exits by using public education and communications
• Broaden engagement to encourage informed dialogue through learning

This process includes three distinct planning phases:

Phase 1: Develop evaluation framework (complete)

1. Establish third party expert panel
2. Public education
3. Public review and comment

Report to TTC Board on Evaluation Framework (complete - see links to Background Reports below)

Phase 2: Location planning at stations

1. Set up local working groups
2. Working groups develop second exit options
3. Evaluate options based on framework
4. Recommendation for second exit location
5. Expert Panel reviews recommendation

Report to TTC Board on site recommendations

Phase 3: Design of Second Exit

• Community consultation: architecture, urban design and landscaping
• Communications to public regarding the project
• Pre-construction information and consultation

Background Reports to the TTC Board

• Planning and Consultation Process for Second Exits – Chester Station Update (For Action) Sept 28, 2015
• Planning and Consultation Process for Second Exits – Local Working Groups Feb 24, 2014
• New Second Exit Planning and Consultation Process – Expert Panel Dec 19, 2013
• New Second Exit Planning and Consultation Process – Expert Panel Sept 25, 2013
• New Second Exit Planning and Consultation Process February 25, 2013
• Follow-up to Ombudsman's Report February 25, 2013 (includes the TTC Construction Projects Good Neighbour Policy, Councillor Relations Policy and Community Relations Management Plan)
• Modernizing the TTC A New Approach to Communications, Community Relations and Property Coordination (For Action) December 19, 2012

Active projects

• Donlands
• Greenwood
• College

Completed projects

• Dufferin
• Pape
• Castle Frank
• Broadview
• Wellesley
• Woodbine
• Chester

Planning stages

• Dundas
• Dundas West
• Museum
• Summerhill