If you rely on TTC streetcars to get around downtown Toronto, expect significant changes starting Sunday, May 11.
The City of Toronto and the TTC are kicking off construction at King St. E. and Church St., which means service changes and detours for a few months.
Crews will replace water mains and streetcar tracks and upgrade overhead infrastructure on King St. E., Sumach St., and Cherry St., which will affect the 503/303 Kingston Rd., 504/304 King, and 508 Lake Shore streetcars.
According to TTC Chair Jamaal Myers, these upgrades are about improving safety and reliability and building a more “resilient city.”
“These upgrades are designed to meet growing demand, ensuring our infrastructure can support future development and expansion,” said Myers.
TTC CEO Greg Percy said that the TTC understands construction can be “disruptive” but is committed to keeping the “impacts to a minimum.”
Transit advocacy group CodeRedTO called on the City and the TTC to introduce emergency measures for streetcar routes in the downtown core.
In a statement on Monday, the group said that these measures would support the more than 100,000 riders in the area who are expected to experience “unreliable, delayed, and confusing streetcar movement beginning next week and lasting through the summer.”
Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening and when:
May and June
- No streetcar service on King St. between River St. and Spadina Ave.
- TTC will run 504C and 504D/304D King replacement buses between Broadview Ave. and Gerrard St. E. to Bathurst St., including a service to the Distillery District.
- The 503/303, 504/304, and 508 streetcars will be diverted to Queen St., using Church, Richmond (westbound), Adelaide (eastbound), and York, then back to King via Spadina.
- The 503 Kingston Rd. will also be extended to run between Dufferin Gate and Bingham Loop.
July and August
- The 503/303 and 504/304 continue on the same detour.
- Replacement buses (504C and 504D/304D) will detour around the King & Church intersection using Jarvis, Front (eastbound), Wellington (westbound), and Yonge.
So, if your daily routine takes you through downtown, now’s the time to plan ahead.
Summer construction season is almost here, but with some patience and a solid transit backup plan, you’ll get through it just fine!
Wheel-Trans service will remain accessible in all areas where local traffic is permitted.
Full details of construction, changes and detours are available on the TTC’s website.
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