After years of talk and countless media events, construction is underway on the six stations of the Spadina subway extension. The extension will push the Spadina side of the Yonge-University-Spadina line 6.2 km northwest from its current terminus of Downsview, improving transit access for those living in the northwest, better connecting TTC, GO and VIVA transit networks and pushing the subway beyond the 416 for the first time.

Map of the Spadina subway extension. Image provided by the TTC.

While it’s much farther along in construction than its neighbours, the first station on the extension is currently facing an identity crisis.

Construction well underway at Downsview Park station on the Spadina subway extension. Image by Craig White.

Construction well underway at Downsview Park station on the Spadina subway extension. Image by Craig White.

Although it was was originally designated Sheppard West, the TTC may christen the station Downsview Park instead, while also rebranding the existing Downsview station as Sheppard West. This would ensure passengers understand that the new station is closest to the park itself.

The station will feature a green roof and offer an easy transfer with GO Transit’s Barrie line, with tracks cutting right through the centre of the station. Design by AEDAS and AECOM.

Rendering of Downsview Park station on the Spadina subway extension. Image provided by the TTC.

Construction is also underway at emergency exits in between stations, like this one - number 2, which you will find in our new dataBase page for Spadina Extension Emergency Exits linked at the bottom- on St. Regis Crescent east of Keele.

An emergency exit under construction as part of the Spadina subway extension. Image by Craig White.

Further north at Finch and Keele construction is not quite as far along. However, motorists are already facing the start of four years of traffic diversions at the intersection as Finch West station takes form.

Construction in the early stages at Finch West station on the Spadina subway extension. Image by Craig White.

Construction in the early stages at Finch West station on the Spadina subway extension. Image by Craig White.

Thanks to architect Will Alsop working with Stevens Group Architects, funky colours and barcode-like patterns will be en vogue on this corner in a few years.

Rendering of Finch West station on the Spadina subway extension. Image provided by the TTC.

Similarly, at York University there’s a lot of equipment and a lot of fencing, but not a lot of progress on the swooping Foster + Partners design just yet.

Construction in the early stages at York University station on the Spadina subway extension. Image by Craig White.

Construction in the early stages at York University station on the Spadina subway extension. Image by Craig White.

Rendering of York University station on the Spadina subway extension. Image provided by the TTC.

Steeles West, on Steeles between Keele and Jane, is no further along, but the huge collection of concrete tunnel liners there adds an extra bit of flair, much like the station’s copper-coloured exterior will add a little panache to the corner once it’s completed. Design by Will Alsop with Stevens Group Architects.

Construction in the early stages at Steeles West station on the Spadina subway extension. Image by Craig White.

Tunnel liners stacked up at the future site of the Steeles West station on the Spadina subway extension. Image by Craig White.

Rendering of Steeles West station on the Spadina subway extension. Image provided by the TTC.

Highway 407 station will become an important regional transport hub by connecting the subway to the 407 transitway. Construction on the AEDAS/AECOM-designed station itself hasn’t gone very far, but an access bridge over the Black Creek has already been constructed.

Construction in the early stages at Highway 407 station on the Spadina subway extension. Image by Craig White.

Overpass completed as part of the Highway 407 station on the Spadina subway extension. Image by Craig White.

Rendering of Highway 407 station on the Spadina subway extension. Image provided by the TTC.

The only future station without any construction activity is the terminus, Vaughan Centre, just west of Jane and Highway 7. A minor street nearby recently closed to enable construction, so excavation should commence soon for the station planned to be the centre of a major transit oriented development.

Location of the future Vaughan Centre station on the Spadina subway extension. Image by Craig White.

Rendering of Vaughan Centre station on the Spadina subway extension. Image provided by the TTC.

The Spadina subway extension comes with a $2.6 billion price tag, split between the provincial and Federal governments, the city of Toronto and York Region. Passengers will be able to ride the rocket all the way to Vaughan in 2015.

Sign announcing construction of the Spadina subway extension. Image by Craig White.