The TTC is in for a particularly chaotic week of closures and diversions
Toronto is in for a messy week of commuting thanks to a series of new diversions and early closures on the TTC, coinciding with a busy weekend of events.
Luckily, subway service will be unaffected this weekend during a busy cluster of events that includes the Khalsa Day Parade, the Bum Run, a Toronto FC game, and what is sure to be a tense Saturday evening tailgate at Maple Leaf Square for Game 6 of the Leafs' first-round playoff series.
These same events will cause some diversions on TTC routes, starting with a Saturday route change for the 29 Dufferin, diverting from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. to accommodate road closures for a TFC game.
The following day, the 29 route will once again be diverting from noon to 2 p.m., along with the 19 Bay bus from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., both closures to accommodate the Khalsa Day Parade.
Even passengers who don't rely on these routes can expect delays, and the TTC is warning customers of possible parade-related slowdowns on the 501 Queen, 504 King, 505 Dundas and 509 Harbourfront.
Sunday, April 30, also marks the Bum Run, which will shut down traffic on downtown streets and force diversions on the 13 Avenue Rd, 19 Bay and 94 Wellesley bus routes from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Unfortunately, the weekend will only mark the beginning of a stretch with extended disruptions, some of which will last for years to accommodate the construction of the forthcoming Ontario Line subway.
Starting Monday, bus and streetcar service along Queen Street will be disrupted for construction of the Ontario Line's Queen Station, a process that will turn the street's busiest stretch into a gridlocked mess for over four years.
On May 1, the 501 Queen streetcar will divert from Queen to Dundas between McCaul & Broadview for Ontario Line construction. Customers can transfer to Line 1 at Dundas & St Patrick stations. Thank you for your patience.
— TTC Customer Service (@TTChelps) April 27, 2023
Visit: https://t.co/pBNQ1zMHTX pic.twitter.com/CMMJF8YZ9X
The TTC is reminding passengers that its 501 Queen streetcar will divert both ways between McCaul St. and Broadview Avenue via Dundas Street, while a temporary 501B bus route will be added to keep the flow of customers moving despite the disruption.
501 Queen streetcar update!
— TTC Customer Service (@TTChelps) April 26, 2023
May 1, the 501 Queen streetcar will divert from Queen to Dundas between McCaul & Broadview for Ontario Line construction. Customers can transfer to Line 1 at Dundas & St Patrick stations. Thank you for your patience.
Visit: https://t.co/pBNQ1zMHTX pic.twitter.com/r0fiWXqaZA
And there are even more transit woes coming in the short-term, like an early track work-related closure of Line 2 between Woodbine and Kennedy stations planned for Monday through Thursday that will halt trains at 11 p.m, replacing them with buses.
The TTC is also advising customers that from Tuesday through Thursday, the 510 Spadina streetcar will undergo nightly diversions from midnight to 4 a.m. for tunnel maintenance.
Factor in all the rain about to drench the city, and Toronto could be in for some frustrating commutes in the coming week.
Join the conversation Load comments