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Ontario Line - Riverside - Leslieville: Metrolinx contractors working at the Queen Street East bridge, affecting TTC service, starting June 5



Update — Thursday, July 27, 6:43 p.m.: Metrolinx is extending the construction period, starting Monday, July 31. The TTC is revising service through the area, starting Sunday, July 30. Read Transit Toronto’s July 27 post for more information.


Update — Monday, July 3, 6:35 p.m.: Starting Tuesday, July 4, the TTC further revises service along Queen Street West. Streetcars and buses along the 506 / 306 Carlton routes resume service along Gerrard Street East west of Coxwell Avenue. Buses along the 503 Kingston Rd route replace service along the 501X Queen and 504X King extra routes.


Update — Saturday, June 17, 10:35 a.m.: The TTC is extending the path for buses along the 72A Pape route to partially replace streetcar service during construction on Broadview Avenue. Starting Sunday, June 18, the buses operate along Queen Street East through the work zone for this project. Passengers aboard the buses can expect delays in the bridge area.

Ontario Line header.jpg

Metrolinx is building the Ontario Line subway between Exhibition Place / Ontario Place and the area near the Ontario Science Centre, through downtown Toronto.


“As early as” Monday, June 5, Metrolinx contractors start working on reinforcing the structure of the Queen Street East bridge near the future Riverside / Leslieville Station, as part of the Ontario-line project. The bridge carries VIA Rail Canada and GO Transit trains over the street. The contractors are strengthening the bridge piers with reinforced concrete.

Crews proceed in two phases:

  • During phase one, they work on the north side of the bridge; and
  • During phase two, they work on the south side of the bridge.

Crews are also crews relocating a traction power cable during the second phase.

The work zone temporarily blocks traffic lanes and sidewalks. Crews mostly work Mondays to Fridays from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

(Updated — Saturday, June 17, 10:35 a.m.) TTC passengers aboard buses and streetcars along these routes can expect delays from Monday, June 5 until Saturday, June 17:

  • 301 Queen overnight;
  • 306 Carlton overnight;
  • 501 Queen;
  • 501X Queen extras;
  • 504X King extras;
  • 505 Dundas; and
  • 506 Carlton.

(Updated — Saturday, June 17, 10:35 a.m.) (Updated — Monday, July 3, 6:35 p.m.)

TTC passengers aboard buses and streetcars along these routes can expect delays from Sunday, June 18 until Monday, July 3:

  • 72A Pape;
  • 301 Queen overnight;
  • 501 Queen;
  • 501X Queen extras;
  • 504X King extras; and
  • 505 Dundas.

(Updated — Thursday, July 27, 6:43 p.m.) (Updated — Monday, July 3, 6:35 p.m.)

TTC passengers aboard buses and streetcars along these routes can expect delays from Tuesday, July 4 until Wednesday, July 26:

  • 72A Pape;
  • 301 Queen overnight;
  • 501 Queen;
  • 503 Kingston Rd; and
  • 505 Dundas.

Phase one

  • The work zone temporarily restricts westbound traffic on Queen Street East to just one lane between Strange and McGee streets.
  • It also blocks the sidewalk on the south side of Queen East. Use the pedestrian crossing at Empire and Boulton avenues to access the south sidewalk.
  • Phase-two construction continues “approximately one (1) week”, meaning as late as until June 9.

Ontario Line - 2023 - 06-05 - Queen East bridge - phase one.jpg


Phase two

  • Starting “as early as” Monday, June 12, the work zone temporarily restricts eastbound traffic on Queen Street East to just one lane between Strange and McGee streets.
  • It also blocks the sidewalk on the south side of Queen East. Use the pedestrian crossing at Boulton and Empire avenues to access the north sidewalk.
  • Although crews mostly work during the daytime, they work overnight “for one (1) week” during the period from Monday, June 12 until Friday, June 23, to “expedite bridge reinforcement works.” They can only complete this work while trains aren’t operating, from about 11 p.m. until 6 a.m.
  • Also starting “as early as” Monday, June 12, the work zone restricts traffic on McGee Street to just one lane at Queen East “for approximately one (1) week”, meaning as late as until June 16.
  • “As early as” Monday, June 26, the work zone restricts traffic on Strange Street to just one lane at Queen, with traffic alternating in each direction, “for approximately one (1) week”, meaning as late as until June 30.
  • Phase-two construction continues for “approximately seven (7) weeks”, meaning as late as until July 28.

Ontario Line - 2023 - 06-12 - Queen East bridge - phase two.jpg


  • Expect noise from construction activities, while crews break concrete, stage trucks, complete utility works and load material.
  • Occasionally, crews will use a hydro-vacuum truck to safely compete this work. (To protect and safely verify locations of buried utilities, crews use non-mechanical excavation methods — hydro-vacuuming — when working within two metres of any underground utility.)
  • Crews will set up signs to warn pedestrians and motorists of closures. They’ll also set up traffic barrels, fencing and barricades to prevent pedestrians, cyclists and motorists from entering work areas.
  • “Paid-duty” Toronto Police Service officers or traffic-control personnel will be present to safely direct pedestrians, cyclists and motorists through or around the work zone.