The Spadina Subway is an extension of the Yonge-University Subway line. Originally this transit project was intended to complement the Spadina Expressway. However, the Province of Ontario nixed the expressway plans, while the subway plan survived. Planning for this line started in 1971. There were 18 potential alignments submitted for the Spadina Subway line route; five were studied before an alignment was chosen. Official approval for the Spadina Subway line was granted in 1973.
Construction on the Spadina Subway line began in 1974. During construction, the concept of “Art in the Subway” was proposed. This project saw subway station art installations of designs by Ted Bieler, Claude Breeze, Michael Hayden, Rita Letendre, Louis de Niverville, Gordon Rayner, James Sutherland, Joyce Weiland, and Gerald Zeldin. This project was funded by the Ontario Ministry of Culture and Recreation, with contributions from the Ontario Heritage Foundation and coordinated by the company Arts and Communications Counselors. The stations also featured distinctive architecture, from both well-known Canadian architects, and from TTC staff architects. The Spadina Subway line opened in January 1978, the fifth subway extension in ten years, and representing the end of a program of almost continuous subway construction since the early 1960s.
Spadina Subway – Progress Report no. 1 (recto) March 1974 Fonds 16, Series 2221, File 296, Item 1.
Spadina Subway – Progress Report no. 1 (verso) March 1974 Fonds 16, Series 2221, File 296, Item 1.
Construction of cut and cover subway tunnel looking northward, showing Madison Avenue at lower right, and Spadina Avenue in the upper corner. The curving tunnel is the connection from the upper level of St. George Station to the new Spadina line. February 27, 1976 Fonds 16, Series 1615, File 18, Item 599-8.
The house at 85 Spadina Road was retained to be the north entrance of Spadina Station. The house was moved from its foundation to its backyard, the subway structure was built, and the building was moved to its new foundation. August 20, 1976 Fonds 16, Series 1604, File 320, Item 1.
This aerial view of the Dupont Street and Spadina Road intersection shows preparations for construction of above-ground station entrances. April 5, 1976 Fonds 16, Series 1615, File 21, Item 760412-B2.
Dupont Station northbound platform showing mural “Spadina Summer Under All Seasons” by James Sutherland February 2, 1978 Fonds 16, Series 1604, File 3680, Item 780211-4.
Dupont Station mezzanine level looking up the stair and escalator well to the entrance structure June 9, 1977 Fonds 16, Series 1604, File 1084, Item 770642-12.
Dupont Station showing north-west entrance with electrical transformer yard integrated into the structure June 9, 1977 Fonds 16, Series 1604, File 1084, Item 770642-9.
Aerial view of St. Clair Station work site looking north June 8, 1977 Fonds 16, Series 1615, File 60, Item 770630-B5.
Aerial view of cut and cover tunnel construction north of St. Clair Avenue West. Between St. Clair West and Eglinton West stations, the subway runs under the Cedarvale Ravine. April 28, 1975 Fonds 16, Series 1615, File 9, Item 444.
View looking north up the northbound track showing wall cladding installation and station name. June 7, 1977 Fonds 16, Series 1604, File 1, Item 770625-C1
View looking north showing the installation of artwork at Glencairn Station June 7, 1977 Fonds 16, Series 1604, File 1, Item 770626-C12. Artwork at Glencairn station was titled “Joy” by Rita Letendre. The original work deteriorated and was removed in the 1990s. A recreated and improved version by Letendre and the TTC was installed in 2020.
View looking north at Glencairn Station platform showing the pedestrian shelters and seating August 5, 1977 Fonds 16, Series 1604, File 1666, Item 770845-8
Aerial view looking westward at Yorkdale Station. Some structural elements of the subway were built as part of the Spadina Expressway (now Allen Road) construction, in advance of the main subway construction. April 5, 1976 Fonds 16, Series 1615, File 25, Item 760412-K5.
Yorkdale Station stairs and escalator leading up to the platform February 2, 1978 Fonds 16, Series 1604, File 3676, Item 780207-12
Yorkdale Station platform. February 2, 1978 Fonds 16, Series 1604, File 3676, Item 780207-10 The art piece for this station was Michael Hayden’s “Arc en ciel”, a series of coloured light tubes that illuminated when trains entered the station. The piece was removed in the 1990s. A new and improved version is being installed as part of upgrades to the station.
Aerial view looking east across the construction of Wilson Station April 5, 1976 Fonds 16, Series 1615, File 25, Item AP760412-L1.
Wilson Station platform June 22, 1978 Fonds 16, Series 1604, File 3758, Item 780698-3.
Wilson Station waiting area for buses February 2, 1978 Fonds 16, Series 1604, File 3679, Item 780210-2.
Wilson Complex consists of a subway car yard, bus garage, and shops for subway train maintenance. The subway yard and shops have been expanded several times since the complex opened in the 1970s.
Aerial shot showing the whole “Wilson Complex” site July 10, 1975 Fonds 16, Series 1615, File 13, Item 512.
Aerial view of Wilson Yard April 29, 1977 Fonds 16, Series 1615, File 47, Item 770488-A8.
The overhead walkway allows TTC employees to safely walk between the bus complex and the subway yard.
General view of Wilson Yard facing north June 22, 1978 Fonds 16, Series 1604, File 3758, Item 780698-32.
General view of Wilson Yard facing south June 22, 1978 Fonds 16, Series 1604, File 3758, Item 780698-34.
Downsview Station was built much later than the original Spadina Subway, as part of the Rapid Transit Expansion Program. Construction began in 1992. This project was the first subway extension since extending the Bloor-Danforth Subway line to Kipling Station and Kennedy Station. The construction of this station was seen as an important step in eventually expanding the line to York University. It was further felt that, should the Sheppard Subway line be built to its full length (between Dufferin and the Scarborough Town Centre), this station would be a key station in connecting the Sheppard and Spadina Subways. The recession of the early 1990s resulted in keen pricing on the construction, which helped with the TTC’s budget woes of the time. In March 1996, Downsview Station officially opened.
TTC construction sign for the extension to Downsview Station, south of Sheppard Avenue on the west side of Allen Road April 19, 1993 Fonds 16, Series 1604, File 7093, Item 930458-12.
Looking northwest at the exterior mezzanine walls for Downsview Station August 3, 1994 Fonds 16, Series 1604, File 966, Item 940808-5.
Downsview Station Kiss ‘N’ Ride under construction, with the bus terminal and its distinctive roof supports in the background October 18, 1995 Fonds 16, Series 1604, File 866, Item 951030-02.
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