Transit Toronto

As part of TTC’s system-wide program of upgrading the overhead wiring to allow full pantograph operation for its new low-floor Toronto Flexity streetcars, this summer, crews are replacing the overhead for the 301 / 501 Queen route. This project coincides with projects to renew the tracks

• at the intersection of Queen Street West / King Street West / The Queensway / Roncesvalles Avenue; and
• on Queen Street West between Fennings and Bay Streets.

Monday, July 26, the TTC and its contractor start upgrading the overhead and repairing tracks on

• Queen Street East between Woodbine Avenue and Leslie Street.

The project includes:

• upgrading rail at the intersections of Queen East with Coxwell Avenue, Connaught Avenue and Vancouver Street;
• installing new span-support cables and hardware fittings between Woodbine and east of Leslie.

The TTC is replacing streetcars with buses during this project. Buses operate along these routes:

• 301 Queen - Long Branch overnight;
• 501L Queen - Long Branch shuttle bus;
• 501P Queen - Park Lawn shuttle bus;
• 503 Kingston Rd shuttle bus.

During this project, the TTC is extending the path of buses along the 301 / 501L / 501P routes. The new temporary terminal is Neville Park Loop, instead of Gerrard Street East beyond Broadview Avenue. Route 503 buses operate only between Bingham Loop and Coxwell Avenue.

Overhead upgrades and track repairs — and the resulting TTC detours — continue until August 5.

The TTC is also repairing tracks during the same time period on Queen East east of Kingston Road.

While crews mostly work in the track area, the overhead crews also require access to sidewalk poles. This activity does not effect hydro power to nearby communities. The work zone restricts traffic lanes. A “paid-duty” Toronto Police Service is on site to help manage traffic movement through work zone. The City of Toronto may prohibit parking on the south side of the street near the work zone, while crews are working.

Crews will work around outdoor restaurant patio hours as best as possible. They may have to work early mornings or late evenings if the work zone is directly beside a patio to reduce the impact to restaurants. They mostly work from 9 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. daily.

The TTC says, “Typically, rail repairs are conducted around-the-clock. Efforts are made to complete breaking / removal of concrete to expose the rail by 11 p.m. Installation of the new rail is generally overnight.”

Overhead work of this nature is generally not very noisy, but some noise is unavoidable. Nearby residents may hear the backup beepers noise from reversing trucks. The crew uses three to four work trucks to complete this work, and to help facilitate physical distancing.

By 7 a.m. on Monday, July 26, TTC track crews start setting up a work zone for a project to replace worn rail on Queen Street East at Lockwood Road, westbound stop. From Wednesday, July 28 until Sunday, August 1, crews also replace rail at the stops on Queen East at Glen Manor Drive and repair rail in Neville Park Loop, starting Tuesday, August 3.

Crews work only in the track area to:

• saw-cut, mill and breaking concrete to expose the old rail;
• replace the old rail with new rail; and
• place new concrete.

The TTC is replacing streetcars with buses during this project. Buses operate along these routes:

• 301 Queen - Long Branch overnight;
• 501L Queen - Long Branch shuttle bus;
• 501P Queen - Park Lawn shuttle bus;
• 503 Kingston Rd shuttle bus.

During this project, the TTC is extending the path of buses along the 301 / 501L / 501P routes. The new temporary terminal is Neville Park Loop, instead of Gerrard Street East beyond Broadview Avenue. Route 503 buses operate only between Bingham Loop and Coxwell Avenue.

Track repairs on Queen Street East east of Kingston Road and the resulting TTC detours continue until August 5.

The TTC is also upgrading the overhead wiring and repairing tracks during the same time period on Queen East between Woodbine Avenue and Leslie Street.

After 7 a.m. of the first day at each site, the track crew starts setting up the work zone and cutting into the concrete. Crews also mill and excavate to expose the old rail. The TTC says, “While most work typically ends at 11 p.m., rail work of this nature requires periods of around-the-clock work to ensure quality installation of new rail and concrete.”

The crews cut, weld and grind the new rail after they’ve replaced the old rail. They pour concrete in the track area and set it to cure. Crews remove the work zone so that all traffic can again flow along the roadway by the evening of the last day at each site.

The work zones restrict traffic to the curb lanes. The City of Toronto is prohibiting on-street parking near work zones to maintain traffic flow. Work zones may block motorists from turning left onto or off of Queen East.

The TTC is delaying the start of service along Line 2 Bloor - Danforth subway between Broadview and St George stations this Sunday, July 25. All Line 2 trains operate only between Kennedy and Broadview stations and between Kipling and St George stations before noon that day.

Shuttle buses partially replace subway service between the two stations, stopping on the street near stations on the closed section of the line.

Most stations on the closed section of Line 2 remain open so you can pay for fares or connect with buses, streetcars and Line 1 Yonge - University subway trains. However, Sherbourne and Bay stations are closed before noon.

Although shuttle buses are accessible, Wheel-Trans service is also available between Broadview and St George stations. Ask staff in each station for information about Wheel-Trans service.

While this section of Line 2 is closed, City of Toronto contractors work under the Prince Edward Viaduct to replace beams.

According to a TTC news release, “While the TTC does most subway maintenance at the conclusion of service each night, it continues to require weekend and early weeknight closures to complete critical infrastructure and state-of-good-repair work as well as… signal upgrades.”

The TTC is closing this section Line 2 once more over the next few weeks:

• Sunday, August 8 — Broadview to St George — open late — Prince Edward Viaduct beam replacement.

From 12:01 until 5 a.m. daily, starting Tuesday, July 20, TTC crews are inspecting the streetcar tunnel into Spadina Station.

To accommodate the work, the TTC is replacing streetcars with shuttle buses north of King Street West along these routes:

• 310 Spadina overnight; and
• 510 Spadina.

Nearby residents can expect noise from TTC overhead vehicles when they’re backing up the ramp that leads to the Spadina Station streetcar tunnel.

Spadina streetcar-tunnel inspection and the resulting TTC service changes continue early mornings until July 22.

The TTC is closing Line 2 Bloor - Danforth between Woodbine and St George stations earlier than usually, Monday, July 19 until Thursday, July 22. Line 2 subway trains operate only between Kennedy and Woodbine stations and between Kipling and St George stations after 11 p.m. those nights.

Shuttle buses partially replace Line 2 service. The buses drop off or pick up passengers on the street near all stations on the closed section of the line. TTC staff are available at each station to direct you to shuttle-bus stops.

Most stations remain open so you can pay fares or connect with TTC buses, streetcars and Line 1 Yonge - University trains. However, Chester, Sherbourne and Bay stations are closed. The TTC is also closing the Lipton Avenue entrance / exit at Pape Station.

Although all shuttle buses are accessible, Wheel-Trans is also available from all stations. Ask any TTC staff member for information about Wheel-Trans frequency and stops.

While this section of Line 2 is closed, TTC crews are maintaining the tracks. According to a TTC news release, “While the TTC does most subway maintenance at the conclusion of service each night, it continues to require weekend and early weeknight closures to complete critical infrastructure and [signal] upgrades.”

The TTC is closing part of Line 1 Yonge - University subway between Lawrence and St Clair stations all day Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 18. Line 1 trains operate only between Finch and Sheppard - Yonge stations and between St Clair and Vaughan Metropolitan Centre stations this weekend.

Frequent shuttle buses partly replace the trains, stopping in subway station bus terminals or on the street near each station of the closed section of the line.

(Or, consider a shuttle-bus alternative.)

While this section of Line 1 is closed, Metrolinx contractors continue working on the Eglinton Crosstown light rail transit.

All stations remain open so you can pay fares or connect with TTC buses and streetcars.

According to a TTC news release, “While the TTC does most subway maintenance at the conclusion of service each night, it continues to require weekend and early weeknight closures to complete critical infrastructure and [signal] upgrades.”

Although shuttle buses are accessible, Wheel-Trans is also available for each station. Since Lawrence Station is not yet accessible, if you’re travelling southbound along Line 1 towards Lawrence Station and you need an elevator, then exit the train at York Mills Station and ask any TTC customer-service staff member for Wheel-Trans.

Starting 8 p.m. Friday, July 16, TTC crews are replacing the streetcar tracks

• at the eastbound stop on College Street at Crawford Street.

Crews work only in the track area to:

• saw-cut, mill and break the concrete to expose the old rail;
• replace the old rail with new rail; and
• place new concrete.

The TTC is also detouring streetcars along these routes during the project:

• 306 Carlton overnight; and
• 506 Carlton.

Shuttle buses replace the cars between Ossington Avenue and Bathurst Street along two routes:

• 306 Carlton overnight shuttle buses; and
• 506 Carlton shuttle buses.

Track replacement at College / Crawford and the resulting TTC service changes continue until July 19 (4 a.m.)

By 8 p.m. Friday, July 16, TTC track crews start setting up a work zones to replace worn rail at the eastbound streetcar stop on College Street at Crawford Street and on the east side of Crawford Street. They also start cutting into and milling the concrete to expose the old rail. The TTC explains, “While most work typically ends at 11 p.m., rail work of this nature requires periods of around-the-clock work to ensure quality installation of new rail and concrete.” Crews continue breaking concrete Saturday morning so they can cmpletely expose the old rail and then remove and replace it.

While crews install the new rail, they also cut, weld and grind the rail. They then place concrete in the track area and set it to cure. All traffic can again flow over the track area by 4 a.m. Monday, July 19.

Th work zones restrict traffic to the curb lanes. Traffic also flows around CafeTO patios. The City of Toronto is temporarily prohibiting on-street parking near the work zones to maintain traffic. Work zones may block motorists from turning left onto or off of College Street.

Special events affecting transit services this weekend — Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 18 — take place in the Georgetown area of Halton Hills, Hamilton, the Lindsay area of Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough and Toronto.

From about 8 p.m. Friday, June 25 until the end of service Sunday, June 27, GO Transit is adjusting schedules for trains along the 01 Lakeshore West line “due to critical work” to upgrade its rail infrastructure.

GO says, “This construction work is part of important upgrades to aged rail infrastructure. These upgrades will improve train speeds, service life and reliability, allowing us to provide better service to you in the future.”

GO is operating longer trains to accommodate demand throughout the weekend and for the Toronto FC game Saturday, July 17. It’s advising passengers to board at all doors and spread out along the platform to reduce crowding. GO staff are monitoring crowds and, if necessary, providing extra service.

Friday, July 16

• The westbound trains that usually leave Union Station at 9:45, 10:45 and 11:45 p.m. for Aldershot GO Station leave, instead, at 10:10 and 11:10 p.m. and 12:10 a.m. They drop off or pick up passengers at all stations on the line as much as 25 minutes later than usually.
• Eastbound trains to continue to operate with regular schedules.

Saturday, July 17
Sunday, July 18

• Trains drop off or pick up passengers at stations hourly, instead of every 30 minutes.
• All westbound trains (except for trains to Niagara Falls) leave Union Station for Aldershot at ten minutes after the hour.
• All eastbound trains (except for trains from Niagara Falls) leave Aldershot for Union at 25 minutes after the hour.

Niagara Falls trains

• GO is modifying schedules for most trains operating to and from Niagara Falls.
• The Niagara-bound train that usually leaves Union at 8:51 a.m. leaves, instead, at 8:23 a.m. It drops off or picks up passengers at stations on the line as much as 28 minutes earlier than usually.
• The Niagara-bound trains that usually leave Union at 12:51, 4:51 and 8:51 p.m. leave, instead, at 12:33, 4:33 and 8:33 p.m. They drop off or pick up passengers at stations on the line as much as 18 minutes earlier than ususally.
• The Toronto-bound trains that usually leave Niagara Falls VIA Rail Station at 11:16 a.m. and 3:16 and 7:16 p.m. leave, instead at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. They drop off or pick up passengers at stations on the line as much as 14 minutes later than usually.
• The Toronto-bound train that usually leaves Niagara Falls at 11:16 p.m. continues to operate with is regular schedule.

If you’re transferring at Union Station between Lakeshore East and Lakeshore West trains, you may experience delays due to the schedule changes to accommodate this project.

Also, GO is operating longer trains to accommodate demand throughout the weekend and for the Toronto FC game Saturday, July 17. It’s advising passengers to board at all doors and spread out along the platform to reduce crowding. GO staff are monitoring crowds and, if necessary, providing extra service.

All westbound trains leaving Oshawa GO Station at 40 minutes after the hour end their trips in Union Station.

Work crews have been replacing track and signal infrastructure on the Lakeshore West line for the past several months. Image: Metrolinx

Metrolinx has been replacing a major part of the track and signalling system between Long Branch and Mimico GO stations for the past several months.

Crews are overhauling the tracks and switches where the tracks of the Oakville subdivision meet the Canpa spur. (The Oakville subdivision tracks carry GO’s Lakeshore West trains. The Canpa spur extends north and south to link the Oakville sub and the Canadian Pacific Railway’s Galt subdivision — GO’s Milton line.

This is a particularly important location as it keeps GO trains running smoothly on the busiest line in the network. It also helps route trains into the Willowbrook rail maintenance facility and the nearby VIA Rail Canada maintenance facility.

According to a post in the Metrolinx News blog by Scott Money, a Metrolinx media relations senior advisor, “Replacing this infrastructure will also shave off precious minutes for train times. While that may not sound like much, every minute gained makes a huge difference in cutting down on rail congestion and makes way for future service increases.”

The problem is that the switches and tracks at this junction are some of the oldest in the GO network and heavily worn from use. Metrolinx needs to replace this infrastructure now to make sure it has the ability to add more GO service in the future, increase speeds and increase current service reliability.

This Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 18, GO Transit is operating longer trains for these trips along the 65 Barrie line to accommodate more passengers than usually:

• The southbound trains leaving Allandale Waterfront GO Station for Union Stationat 11:08 a.m. and 5:08 p.m.; and
• The northbound trains leaving Union for Allandale at 8:53 a.m. and 2:53 p.m.

These trains do not include bike coaches, where cyclists can stow their wheels while travelling along the line.

GO reminds passengers to board at all doors and spread out along the platform to reduce crowding.

Also the southbound train that usually leaves Allandale for Union at 6:53 a.m. leaves, instead, at 6:21 a.m. The train drops off or picks up passengers at stations on the line as much as 28 minutes earlier than usually, to maintain connections at Union Station for passengers travelling toward Niagara Falls.