Broadway station on the Expo Line opened in 1985. Commercial Drive station opened in 2002 as the terminus of the Millennium Line, and the two-station complex was renamed Commercial-Broadway in 2009 to avoid confusion with Broadway-City Hall station on the Canada Line. Serving the Expo and Millennium lines, as well as the 9, 20 and 99 bus routes, the busiest station in the SkyTrain system is undergoing a major improvement project that began in 2007.

Commercial–Broadway Station Phase 2 summary of station upgrades, image via TransLink

Part of a seven-station upgrade on the Expo Line, the two-phase project will enhance capacity, accessibility, integration, safety, security, and passenger comfort. In leading up to the implementation of the work, several rounds of public consultations were conducted to gauge customer needs and their responses to proposed and implemented changes.

Commercial–Broadway Station Phase 2 upgrades platform cross-section, image via TransLink

Until the redevelopment project, the main entrance to the station was accessed off Broadway Avenue; a new entrance on 10th Avenue, along with new stairs and escalators, has reduced bottlenecks and improved passenger flow.

New 10th Avenue Entrance, image by Alissa Reed

A number of other upgrades have been completed:

  • The elevator was relocated from the north end of the station to the south end near the 10th Avenue entrance; 
  • Perforated metal screens and chain link fencing that covered the west wall of the station were replaced by glass windows, which allow more natural light and improve visibility;
  • New floor and wall tiles were installed on the ground floor of the station;
  • New retail spaces were built and though currently unoccupied, have high potential once station construction has been completed;
  • Fare gates and Compass vending machines were installed at the north and south entrances.

Walkway connection between Broadway and Commercial stations, image by Alissa Reed

A new east platform serving westbound Expo Line trains will allow implementation of the "Spanish solution" for disembarking and boarding the train. Doors on the east side of the train will open a few seconds earlier to let passengers exit and then doors on the west side of the train will open to allow passengers to board the train. Overcrowding on the westbound platform in the morning has been a lingering issue and the two-platform system will help alleviate it.  

East Platform, image by Alissa Reed

Construction of a widened walkway over Broadway, connecting the Expo and Millennium Lines and the westbound 99 B-Line stop, is also currently in progress. The current connection has been criticized for its narrowness, contributing to multiple bottlenecks during rush hour. The walkway will be constructed off-site then lifted onto newly constructed columns on Broadway.

Preliminary work for walkway widening, image by Alissa Reed

An additional raft of improvements include:

  • A permanent queuing system and bus shelter for the 99 B-Line stop;
  • Two new elevators and four new up and down escalators;
  • An expanded Broadway concourse;
  • Widened Broadway entrances to the Broadway Station;
  • Widened walkway connection between Broadway and Commercial stations;
  • Skylights, a new lighting design, and removal of a portion of the wall at platform station will permit more natural light in the space, and provide a view of the North Shore mountains;
  • A new bike storage room next to the 10th Street entrance will accommodate 70+ bikes and provide a connection to the 10th Street bikeway.  There is also the possibility of a bike share station being added.

A construction hoarding mural reduces the visual impact of construction, image by Alissa Reed

To stay updated with the progress, check out the associated Forum thread, where you can also get involved in the discussion.