As part of its network-wide program, the TTC is modernizing its streetcar infrastructure
- on Fleet Street between Strachan Avenue and Bathurst Street and
- on Queens Quay West between Bathurst and Bay streets.
The transit agency says that this project is “vital to provide streetcar service for the long-term future.” In a news release, it explains that the work zone spans almost three kilometres between Strachan Avenue and the Bay streetcar tunnel. The project involves replacing and reconfiguring overhead wires and upgrading the underground power systems on the corridor.
The TTC is completing the nearly four-month project in phases, revising streetcar service and using buses to replace the cars. By early next year, streetcars along Fleet and Queens Quay will use a better pantograph overhead contact system that is fully compatible with “the TTC’s modern and growing fleet, enhancing the reliability of service along the waterfront. This work is part of a larger power upgrade program that includes recent projects on Spadina and St. Clair avenues.”
During phase 1, which started Tuesday, September 3, crews worked on Queens Quay West between Lower Spadina Avenue and the tunnel to upgrade the overhead and complete underground work. During this phase, the TTC also performed critical inspections and replaced aging infrastructure to support future service.
During phase 2, which started Sunday, October 6, crews worked on Queens Quay West between Bathurst Street and Lower Spadina Avenue and on Bathurst Street between Fleet Street and Queens Quay West.
During phase 3, starting Sunday, November 17, crews start the last phase of upgrading the overhead. This phase focuses on Fleet Street, west of Bathurst Street toward Strachan Avenue.
The TTC is revising the path for streetcars along this route, so that the cars operate between Bathurst and Union stations:
- 511 Bathurst.
Shuttle buses replace the route 511 cars on between Exhibition Loop and Bathurst Street.
Buses continue to operate along this route between Exhibition Loop and Spadina Station, supplementing the Bathurst shuttle-bus service during construction:
- 510 Spadina.
Starting Sunday, November 24, the TTC shortens the path for streetcars along this route, so that the cars operate only between Lower Spadina Avenue and Union Station:
- 509 Harbourfront.
Buses continue to replace streetcars along the entire path of the 310 Spadina overnight route, as they have since Sunday, June 23.
Streetcar-infrastructure construction on Fleet Street and the resulting TTC detours continue “until early 2025” or “until January 2025”, meaning as late as until January 31, 2025.
To accommodate streetcar-infrastructure work on the Spadina corridor, buses have replaced streetcars along the 310 Spadina overnight and 510 Spadina routes since Sunday, June 23.
During phase 1 of the Fleet / Queens Quay streetcar-infrastructure project, the TTC replaced streetcars with buses along the entire 509 Harbourfront route, starting Tuesday, September 3.
During phase 2 of the project, streetcars resumed along the 509 Harbourfront route — bus only east of Lower Spadina Avenue. The TTC extended the path for buses along the 510 Spadina route to replace route 509 service between Exhibition Loop and Lower Spadina.
Overnight from Sunday, October 21 until Friday, October 25, the TTC replaced streetcars with buses along the 509 Harbourfront route “to accommodate TTC infrastructure work” at Queens Quay West and Lower Spadina Avenue.
Starting Friday, November 1, the TTC restored service along the entire 509 Harbourfront route, likely so it could add extra service to support passengers travelling to and from the Taylor Swift concerts November 14, 15 and 16 and 21, 22 and 23.
511 Bathurst
From Sunday, November 17 until Friday, January 31, southbound streetcars operate along their regular path to Bathurst and Fleet streets, then detour:
southward along Bathurst;
eastward along Queens Quay West; and then
east- and northward through the Bay streetcar tunnel to Union Station,
ending their trips.Southbound cars skip their regular stops
- on Fleet Street beyond Bathurst and Bastion streets and Fort York Boulevard,
- on Manitoba Drive beyond Strachan Avenue and
- in Exhibition Loop.
Instead, southbound cars drop off or pick up passengers at temporary stops
- on Queens Quay West beyond Bathurst Street, Dan Leckie Way and Lower Spadina Avenue, at Rees Street and beside the Harbourfront Centre and
- in the Bay streetcar tunnel
- at Queens Quay - Ferry Docks station and
- at Union Station.
Shuttle buses replace the cars west of Bathurst Street / Fleet Street. Southbound streetcar passengers may transfer to westbound buses on the west side of Bathurst Street north of Fort York Boulevard.
Northbound cars reverse the southbound detour path.
Northbound cars skip their regular stops
- in Exhibition Loop,
- on Manitoba Drive at Strachan Avenue,
- on Fleet Street beyond Fort York Boulevard, across from Bastion Street and at Bathurst Street.
Instead, northbound cars drop off or pick up passengers at temporary stops
- in the Bay streetcar tunnel
- at Union Station and
- at Queens Quay - Ferry Docks station,
- on Queens Quay West beyond York and Rees streets, Lower Spadina Avenue and Dan Leckie Way and
- on Bathurst Street beyond Queens Quay West.
Shuttle buses replace the cars west of Bathurst Street / Fleet Street. Northbound streetcar passengers may transfer to westbound buses on the west side of Bathurst Street north of Fort York Boulevard.
511B Bathurst shuttle buses
From Sunday, November 17 until Friday, January 31, buses replace streetcars along the 511 Bathurst route west of Bathurst Street / Fleet Street.
Southbound buses start their trips in Wolseley Loop (on the east side of Bathurst Street, north of Queen Street West), then proceed:
southward along Bathurst;
west- and southward along Fort York Boulevard;
westward along Lake Shore Boulevard West and Princes’ Boulevard;
northward along Strachan Avenue; and then
westward along Manitoba Drive and the Exhibition Loop access road into Exhibition Loop,
ending their trips.Southbound buses drop off or pick up passengers at stops
- in Wolseley Loop,
- on Bathurst Street at Queen and King streets west, Niagara Street and Fort York Boulevard,
- on Fort York Boulevard across from Gzowski Boulevard and at Fleet Street,
- on Princes’ Boulevard at Strachan Avenue,
- on Manitoba Drive beyond Strachan Avenue and
- in Exhibition Loop.
Northbound buses start their trips in Exhibition Loop, then proceed:
eastward along the Exhibition Loop access road, Manitoba Drive and Fleet Street,
north- and eastward along Fort York Boulevard;
northward along Bathurst Street;
eastward along Wolseley Street; and then
northward into Wolseley Loop,
ending their trips.Northbound buses drop off or pick up passengers at stops
- in Exhibition Loop,
- on Manitoba Drive at Strachan Avenue,
- on Fleet Street at Fort York Boulevard,
- on Fort York Boulevard beyond Bastion and Iannuzzi streets,
- on Bathurst Street at Niagara Street and King and Queen streets west and
- in Wolseley Loop.
Northbound bus passengers may transfer to northbound buses on the east side of Bathurst Street south of Queen Street West.
509 Harbourfront
From Sunday, November 17 until Friday, January 31, streetcars start and end their trips in Queens Quay / Spadina Loop, instead of Exhibition Loop.
Eastbound cars skip their regular stops
- in Exhibition Loop,
- on Manitoba Drive at Strachan Avenue,
- on Fleet Street beyond Fort York Boulevard, across from Bastion Street and at Bathurst Street and
- on Queens Quay West beyond Bathurst Street, Dan Leckie Way and Lower Spadina Avenue.
Instead, eastbound cars pick up passengers at a temporary stop
- in Spadina / Queens Quay Loop.
Westbound cars skip their regular stops
- on Queens Quay West beyond Dan Leckie Way,
- on Bathurst Street beyond Queens Quay West,
- on Fleet Street beyond Bathurst and Bastion streets and Fort York Boulevard,
- on Manitoba Drive beyond Strachan Avenue and
- in Exhibition Loop.
Instead, westbound cars pick up passengers at a temporary stop
- in Spadina / Queens Quay Loop.
510 Spadina
Starting Sunday, October 6, the TTC extends the path so that buses to operate to and from Exhibition Loop. Buses along route 510 replace streetcars along the 509 Harbourfront route west of Lower Spadina Avenue. (Route 510 buses have also replaced streetcars along during construction on the Spadina corridor since June 23.)
Southbound buses operate along their regular path to Lower Spadina Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard West, then proceed:
southward along Lower Spadina;
westward along Queens Quay West;
northward along Bathurst Street;
west- and southward along Fort York Boulevard;
westward along Lake Shore Boulevard West and Princes’ Boulevard;
northward along Strachan Avenue; and then
westward along Manitoba Drive and the Exhibition Loop access road into Exhibition Loop,
ending their trips.Southbound buses no longer loop along Lake Shore West and Dan Leckie Way. And, they no longer drop off passengers at the stop
- on Dan Leckie Way at Queens Quay West.
Instead, southbound cars drop off or pick up passengers at stops
- on Queens Quay West at Dan Leckie Way and Bathurst Street,
- on Bathurst Street across from Fleet Street,
- on Fort York Boulevard beyond Bathurst Street, across from Gzowski Street and at Fleet Street,
- on Princes’ Boulevard at Strachan Avenue,
- on Manitoba Drive beyond Strachan Avenue and
- in Exhibition Loop.
Northbound buses start their trips in Exhibition Loop, then proceed:
westward along the Exhibition Loop access road, Manitoba Drive and Fleet Street;
north- and westward along Fort York Boulevard;
southward along Bathurst Street; and then
westward along Queens Quay West to Dan Leckie Way,
resuming their regular path westward Queens Quay.Northbound buses no longer pick up passengers at the stop
- on Dan Leckie Way at Queens Quay West.
Instead, northbound buses drop off or pick up passengers at stops
- in Exhibition Loop,
- on Manitoba Drive at Strachan Avenue,
- on Fleet Street at Fort York Boulevard,
- on Fort York Boulevard beyond Bastion and Iannuzzi streets and
- on Bathurst Street at Fleet Street and Queens Quay West.
The TTC is also making more changes to bus service along the Spadina corridor.
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