Update — Friday, February 27, 2:37 p.m.*: According to a third news release, the TTC is restoring regular streetcar service by 5 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday, February 28.
Update — Wednesday, February 25, 6:38 p.m.: In a second news release, the TTC explains that “Work to replace damaged underground power cables that supply electricity to the overhead streetcar wires along Spadina Ave. is progressing, and the TTC remains on track to complete repairs by the end of the week.” Transit Toronto visited the area of Lower Spadina Avenue and Queens Quay West today and buses appear to only be operating between Spadina Station and Queens Quay.
In a news release, the TTC is advising passengers that it’s temporarily replacing streetcars with buses along the 310 Spadina overnight and 510 Spadina routes. It’s operating buses while crews replace damaged underground power cables that supply electricity to the overhead streetcar wires on the Spadina Avenue corridor.
According to the release, shuttle buses are operating between Spadina Station and Queens Quay West, serving curbside stops to maintain service for passengers and extra staff are available at Spadina and Union stations and “the Queens Quay transfer point” to help you find your way or to transfer to other transit vehicles. The TTC says that it has added extra streetcar service along the waterfront between Union Station and Queens Quay. (By “the Queens Quay transfer point,” the TTC likely means Spadina / Queens Quay Loop.)
TTC staff identified the damage after a cable chamber fire yesterday, Monday, February 23 afternoon. To repair the damage, crews must replace 640 metres of underground electrical cables, extending between Queen and Adelaide streets west through multiple cable chambers under Spadina Avenue. Due to the location of the infrastructure, the work is complex and crews must work in confined underground spaces, the TTC explains, “requiring careful co-ordination, safety controls, and staged access to multiple chambers.”
Contractors and TTC staff are replacing the cables. They started working overnight February 23 and are continuing “around the clock.” The TTC expects to complete repairs “by the end of the week, though bus replacement service will remain in place until all testing is complete and the infrastructure is confirmed safe for streetcar operations.”
Although the news release states that buses replace streetcars between Spadina Station and Queens Quay West, this service advisory indicates that buses operate along the entire routes.
510 Spadina
310 Spadina overnight
From 7 a.m. Wednesday, February 24 until 4 a.m. Saturday, February 28, buses replace streetcars along the entire routes.
South- and eastbound buses start their trips in Spadina Station bus terminal, then proceed:
southward along Spadina Road, Avenue, Crescent and Avenue and Lower Spadina Avenue;
eastward along Queens Quay West; and then
northward along Bay Street to Front Street West,
ending their trips.Southbound buses likely drop off or pick up passengers at stops
- in Spadina Station bus terminal,
- on Spadina Avenue at Sussex Avenue, Harbord, Willcocks, College and Nassau streets and Dundas Street West, across from Sullivan Street and at Queen, King and Front streets west,
- on Lower Spadina Avenue at Fort York Boulevard,
- on Queens Quay West beyond Lower Spadina Avenue, at Rees Street and beside the Harbourfront Centre,
- on Bay Street beyond Queens Quay West and at Lake Shore Boulevard West and Front Street West.
Buses serve passengers at stops beside the curb, instead of the centre-road “island” streetcar stops.
(List of stops is unofficial.)
West- and northbound buses start their trips northbound on Bay Street south of Front Street West, then proceed:
eastward along Front West;
northward along Yonge Street;
westward along Wellington Street West;
southward along Bay Street;
westward along Queens Quay West;
northward along Lower Spadina Avenue and Spadina Avenue, Crescent, Avenue and Road; and then
eastward into Spadina Station bus terminal,
ending their trips.West- and southbound buses drop off or pick up passengers at stops
- on Bay Street [southbound] beyond Front Street West and Harbour Street,
- on Queens Quay West at York and Rees streets,
- on Lower Spadina Avenue beyond Queens Quay West and at Bremner Boulevard and Front Street West,
- on Spadina Avenue at King, Richmond and Queen streets west, Sullivan Street and Dundas Street West, across from Nassau Street, at College, Willcocks and Harbord streets, Sussex Avenue and Bloor Street West and
- in Spadina Station bus terminal.
Buses serve passengers at stops beside the curb, instead of the centre-road “island” streetcar stops.
(List of stops is unofficial.)
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