Crews are working through the night in an effort to get a major downtown construction project done faster, prompting complaints from those living in the area.

The intersection of Spadina Avenue and College Street was completely closed on Monday, and will remain closed until April 27. The closure allows city crews to rip up and replace aging TTC streetcar tracks in the area.

A city bylaw states that noisy construction equipment may only be used from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday. No construction noise is permitted on Sundays and statutory holidays.

Despite the bylaw, crews were seen working through the night and into the early morning at the intersection, prompting complaints from those who live in the area. Residents told media that crews were working until at least 2 a.m., ripping up the tracks.

Steve Johnston, from Toronto’s Major Capital Infrastructure Co-ordination Office, told CTV Toronto the crews had been given an exemption to the bylaw, extending construction hours from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Crews are permitted to use loud equipment, including jackhammers, into the evening but are supposed to stop at 11 p.m. 

The exemption was granted because the construction has been categorized as necessary municipal works.

Upon hearing of the complaints, Johnston said he spoke to inspectors who ensured him that jackhammer work will end at 11 p.m. going forward.

“Our apologies if this were not the case on the first night of construction,” Johnston said.

Johnston explained although the jackhammering will end at 11p.m., work will continue through the night.

“This includes the noise associated with machinery moving concrete and placing it into bins... site maintenance, installing drainage and moving catch basins.”

Johnston said the jackhammer work will be complete by Friday night, but overnight and after-hours work will continue until the intersection re-opens.

“This work can be disruptive due to the noise of rail being moved and trucks beeping.”

Johnston said city crews are “sympathetic” to residents and businesses, but explained the hours were extended so the project will take less time to complete.

He said working overnight can reduce the project’s length by 30 per cent, allowing staff to re-open the intersection sooner.