In recounting the history of the viaduct, Torontonians love to wax lyrical about the foresight of Works Commissioner Roly Harris, who in the years leading up to 1916, championed a design by Edmund W. Burke for the bridge across the valley that included a deck level for a future rail link.
Harris’ efforts eventually saved the TTC a little over $2.5 million, because a separate bridge did not have to be constructed to carry the Bloor-Danforth subway, fifty years after his advocacy (of course, this hagiographic account conveniently omits the funds wasted on concurrently building the never-used—but still extant—decking for the Bloor East/Rosedale Valley section.).
Classic bus bay canopy |
Broadview serves as the north-eastern terminus for the 504 and 505 streetcar lines, and is a bustling (some might say cramped) gateway to the Greektown community along the Danforth. An interminably lengthy, but necessary renovation to the station during the mid-2000s added an expanded streetcar platform, a slightly increased interior concourse, elevators, and an alternate stairwell connection from the subway level to the streetcar and bus bays.
The newfangled canopies for the expanded streetcar platforms. |
Like Christie, Broadview features an oddity that puzzles many first-time users: an escalator that requires climbing a few steps to use it.
Q: Should you take the stairs, or the escalator? A: Why not both? |
Broadview opened on February 25, 1966 as part of the original Bloor-Danforth subway. In 2010 a city parkette was created north of the station, from a parcel of land declared surplus to the TTC’s operating requirements (similar to the Budd Sugarman park at Rosedale). On a fresh spring morning, the parkette can be quite relaxing.
Indulge yourself — take the subway to Broadview, and relish a few moments of child-like joy as you cross the bridge. Don’t forget to sit by the window.
Photo Gallery
Tour the station, and view captioned historical images from its past:Transfer:
More about Broadview
TTC Station info | Map | Wikipedia: BroadviewMy next stop: Queen’s Park
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