Today, Thursday, February 15, the TTC advised passengers about its progress in eliminating speed restrictions on sections of track along Line 1 Yonge - University and Line 2 Bloor - Danforth. In a news release, the TTC claims that overnight, crews made significant progress by returning more than 2,700 metres of track to normal status, meaning trains can operate along those sections of track with normal speed. This includes a section of track between Spadina and Museum stations.
“Over the coming week” (meaning as late as by February 17), trains resume normal speeds along various other portions of Line 1 and Line 2. On Line 1, normal speeds resume between:
- Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and Highway 407 stations;
- College and Wellesley stations;
- York Mills and Sheppard - Yonge stations; and
- North York Centre and Finch stations.
On Line 2, normal speeds resume between:
- Royal York and Jane stations; and
- Victoria Park and Warden stations.
You can expect to see a return to normal speeds between Bloor - Yonge and Rosedale stations, St Clair and Davisville stations, and all remaining portions of Line 1 in the downtown U “by the first week of March” (meaning as late as by March 8).
At reduced speeds, trains are moving at between 15 and 25 kilometres per hour (km/h), instead normal speeds of 40 to 50 km/h. By replacing the track in the various reduced speed zones, the TTC can significantly improve train speeds, and provide faster and more reliable trip times.
After a “comprehensive geometry survey” in January, the TTC identified several sections of track needing repair. According to the news release, this track-replacement work aims to address those state-of-good-repair needs and makes sure that subway trains continue to operate safely and reliably.