Broadview

The moribund architecture of this stop—which largely follows the familiar Bloor-Danforth line template—is amply compensated for by the visual experience of crossing a hundred feet above the Don Valley on the Prince Edward Viaduct, just west of the station. A single visit reveals how the affiliated street got its name: when your train bursts forth from the tunnel, look up from your newspaper, and take in the lovely, broad view:



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: Broadview

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