TTC will temporarily close Pape station to speed renovations

The Toronto Transit Commission announced onTuesday that it willtemporarily close the Pape subway station next month to help speed up renovations that are more than 18 months behind schedule.

Commuters at Pape have been dealing with construction at the stop for over three years now. A web poll recently conducted by the TTC found 52 per cent of riders supported temporarily closing the station.

The TTC said the station would be closed between June 15-26, and will reopen the morning of June 27.

Commission spokesperson Brad Ross said unforeseen construction problems have contributed to the delays.

"When we run into the problems with utilities, for example, then work simply stops," Ross said. "Then the city comes in and does the work they need to do."

That work is being done by several different city departments, but it isn't counted in the TTC's $37-million renovation budget.

Ross said the delays haven't cost the project any additional money.

Among the upgrades being done at Pape are a second exit, bicycle parking, a new weather-protected waiting area, and a new Tim Hortons.

Pending any further delays, the construction is expected to be complete sometime in December 2013.