A much-needed revitalization project at Union Station is on budget and will be ready in time for the Pan-Am Games, officials said Wednesday, but downtown commuters will have to endure the construction chaos for some time yet.

Construction zones, road detours and increased surface traffic have been wreaking havoc in the downtown core ever since work began two years ago on a second subway platform for Union Station.

At Front and York streets, pedestrians and motorists must detour around a massive 30-feet-deep pit where crews are at work.

But the city says the additional platform is vital as it will allow for double the capacity of TTC riders. Currently, approximately 100,000 TTC riders pass through Canada’s largest transit hub each day.

In addition to a second platform, the $160-million Union Station renovation will also feature:

  • Retail concourse below the station
  • Tunnel to Air Canada Centre and Maple Leaf Square
  • Restoration of heritage elements

TTC Chair Karen Stintz, who was among the officials on a media tour of the construction site Wednesday, said the current commuter headache will be worth it in the end.

“We’re building for the future and so there has been disruption, we’ve tried our best to mitigate it,” she said. “There’s no question we’ve inconvenienced motorists and many people in the downtown core.”

Stintz acknowledged the congestion isn’t just relegated to Front Street, but “spills over into the Gardiner and other streets.”

Once complete, passengers will be able to exit subway cars onto two separate platforms, depending on which direction they are travelling.

TTC spokesperson Brad Ross said it is necessary given the amount of traffic currently spilling onto one platform.

“Anybody who uses the subway station knows just how crowded it can get during morning and afternoon rush hours, after a hockey game,” he said.

Construction is expected to be completed in 2015.

In addition to the TTC, the construction work is also being funded by the city of Toronto and Waterfront Toronto.

With a report from CTV Toronto's Naomi Parness