Station Type
Terminal, bus/light rail transit hub
Platform Style
Side
Entrance/Exits
From the bus loop, Scott Street and Holland Avenue
Description
Tunney’s Pasture is an existing bus transit station along the Transitway that will be converted to serve as the west terminal of the OLRT. The existing bus service will be relocated from its current lower level to a new bus loop at grade.
The new station design will facilitate the fast and convenient movement of passengers between buses and the LRT. Bus passengers will be dropped off on the right side of a circular drop-off from which they can move easily along a wide sidewalk towards the LRT. Barriers in the center traffic island and at the eastern end of the eastern loop prevent short cutting to and from the bus stops. Bicycle parking is provided at each entry location. Plazas and sidewalks at each entrance provide generous approaches to the station.
The widths of the pedestrian walkways on both sides of the Holland Bridge will be expanded to provide better access to Tunney’s Pasture and the station platforms.
The existing bus platforms will be extended and the existing four lanes of Transitway roadway will be converted to two sets of rails. The change to train use will also require platform modifications to allow for level entry to the trains rather than the current step-up conditions for bus usage. It is not expected at this time that the existing culvert below the roadway will need to be relocated.
Existing bridges across the ‘cut’ will be refurbished and transformed into two new entrances at the upper level, which will be connected to the platform level with stairs, elevators and escalators. The east entrance will provide a functional and somewhat ceremonial entrance from the Holland Avenue overpass, in keeping with the formal character of the federal campus. The west entrance will be the principle entrance and provide a direct connection to the reconfigured bus loop and other parts of the campus.
Track & Platform Configuration
Both tracks are at the centre of the station with platforms on the outsides. Since the station is a terminal, trains on both tracks will be heading east. Indicators on the entry level will alert passengers which side platform the next train departs from. Trains are able to crossover to their designated track immediately outside the station. The platforms will be initially 120 metres long with provision to extend to 150 metres when ridership volumes warrant.
Descent / Ascent
Trains will be accessed one level below grade. Riders may descend and ascend via stairs, elevators, or escalators.
Connections
Tunney’s Pasture will be the major west-end hub between the LRT and bus service. There will also be connection to a cycling route with bicycle parking at each entry/exit.
Future Consideration
The station design will allow for potential integration with future development plans for Tunney’s Pasture. There are lands surrounding the station that are available for Transit Oriented Development (TOD).
