Busy Toronto streetcar to shut down for 20 months starting in May
A busy streetcar in the heart of downtown Toronto could be shut down for about 20 months starting right before the summer.
As of early May, commuters hoping to jump on the 501 streetcar on Queen St. will instead have to queue up for a shuttle bus.
In a report set to be presented at next week’s Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) board meeting, officials say that utility work to allow the streetcar to divert around construction for the new Ontario Line has delayed the construction for the new tracks.
“Currently, the TTC, Metrolinx, City of Toronto and various utility owners are working very closely to resolve all of the utility conflicts and relocations as expediently as possible,” the report says.
“Metrolinx has identified that the potential delay to complete the streetcar detour work will result in approximately 20 months of shuttle bus service commencing in early May 2023.”
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
A section of Queen Street in Toronto is anticipated to close for nearly five years for the construction of the new subway stop, located at Yonge and Queen streets, connecting to Line 1.
New tracks are being laid down along Adelaide Street, as well as nearby side streets, to allow for the streetcar to divert without using shuttle busses.
The report notes the work was “substantially completed” in late 2022, but adds the TTC is still “refining the detailed design of the infrastructure” with the city and Metrolinx, the provincial agency set to operate the Ontario Line.
Construction along the remaining areas were expected to start last year, however, officials say a utility issue were identified that “surpassed previous expectations and has delayed the start of the construction of the streetcar tracks for the diversion.”
“The TTC is still working closely with Metrolinx and the City on exploring options to optimize the construction schedule of the Adelaide civil and streetcar track construction work to reduce the duration of shuttle bus service,” the report reads.
A proposed map of the Ontario Line is pictured. (Metrolinx)
The Ontario Line is a large part of the Doug Ford government’s transit expansion plan for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. All the costs are being covered by the province, which is anticipated to be more than $1 billion per kilometre—nearly double initial estimates.
Documents from Infrastructure Ontario showed two contracts totalling $15 billion have already been awarded.
The 15-stop, 15.6-kilometre extension, which will run from Exhibition Place through the downtown core along Queen Street before heading north to the Ontario Science Centre, is expected to be completed by 2031.
Businesses set to be impacted by the construction are asking for transparency and accountability following the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, which caused extensive construction along busy corridors and took much longer than anticipated.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A man was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.