Transit Toronto

Metrolinx contractors continue building the future Eglinton Crosstown light rail transit line between Mount Dennis and Kennedy.

Starting “as early as” Thursday, March 21, crews resume relocating telecommunications infrastructure

• across Leslie Street at Eglinton Ave East,

near the site of the future Sunnybrook Park stop.

Crews work work every day from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. in three stages.

Telecommunications-infrastructure relocation near the future Sunnybrook Park and the resulting TTC service changes continue “for approximately one (1) week” or until about March 27.

All stages

For transit passengers

• The TTC has already relocated bus stops in the area. It has also removed the eastbound stop on the south side of Eglinton East across from Leslie. Southbound passengers on Leslie must ride their bus westward to Brentcliffe Road to transfer to eastbound buses along Eglinton.
• Passengers aboard buses along these routes can expect delays:

• 34 Eglinton East;
• 51 Leslie;
• 54 Lawrence East;
• 334 Eglinton East overnight; and
• 354 Lawrence East overnight.

For pedestrians

• The sidewalk on the south side of Eglinton remains closed west of Leslie.
• The sidewalk on the north side of Eglinton remains closed east of Leslie.

For motorists

• Work zones block traffic lanes on both sides of Eglinton east and west of Leslie. West of Leslie, crews have gradually widened the work zone so that it occupies all but the two southernmost lanes on Egliinton.
• Just one lane is available for traffic in each direction on Eglinton west of Leslie.
• Just one lane is available for westbound traffic on Eglinton east of Leslie.
• Two lanes are available for eastbound traffic on Eglinton east of Leslie.
• West of Leslie, traffic mostly flows on the north-side centre lanes at the intersection, gradually shifting to the south-side curb lanes as it flows further westward. One lane is available in the north-side curb lane for traffic to flow from southbound Leslie onto westbound Eglinton.
• East of Leslie, traffic flows in north-side curb lanes and the north centre lanes, gradually shifting completely into the centre lanes.

Stage 1

• Work zones block the east-centre lanes on Leslie.
• Just one lane is available for southbound traffic on Leslie, which flows on the west-side curb lane. It also flows through the right-turn channel to connect with westbound traffic on Eglinton.
• Southbound traffic on Leslie turning left onto eastbound Eglinton flows on the west-side lane beside the curb lane.
• Just one lane is available for northbound traffic. It flows in the east-side curb lane.

Stage 2

• Work zones block the centre lanes on Leslie.
• Just one lane is available for southbound traffic on Leslie, which flows on the west-side curb lane. It also flows through the right-turn channel to connect with westbound traffic on Eglinton.
• Southbound traffic on Leslie turning left onto eastbound Eglinton starts flowing on the west-side lane beside the curb lane, but gradually shifts to the east-side lane beside the curb lane, cutting through the centre-lane work zone diagonally.
• Just one lane is available for northbound traffic. It flows in the east-side curb lane.

Stage 3

• Work zones block the west-centre and right-curb lanes on Leslie.
• Just one lane is available for southbound traffic on Leslie, which flows on the west-side curb lane. It also flows through the right-turn channel to connect with westbound traffic on Eglinton.
• Southbound traffic on Leslie turning left onto eastbound Eglinton flows on the west-side lane beside the curb lane.
• Just one lane is available for northbound traffic. It flows in the east-side centre lane.

Metrolinx and York Region contractors continue the project to build a rapidway — bus-only lanes in the centre of the roadway — along Yonge Street in Richmond Hill between 19th Avenue / Gamble Road and Highway 7.

From 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, crews continue installing a new water-main

• on Westwood Lane at Yonge Street.

Crews are setting up a work zone to accommodate this work, restricting traffic on Westwood to a single shared east- and westbound lane. “Paid-duty” York Regional Police officers and traffic-control staff will be on site to direct pedestrians and motorists during this work. Crews also maintain access to businesses and properties near the work zone.

Expect noise and vibration from equipment and trucks.

Metrolinx and York Region contractors continue the project to build a rapidway — bus-only lanes in the centre of the roadway — along Yonge Street in Richmond Hill between 19th Avenue / Gamble Road and Highway 7.

From 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 19 and continuing daily, crews resume working on storm-sewer infrastructure

• on Yonge Street between Elmwood Avenue / Hopkins Street and Harding Boulevard.

Crews start working at the southwest corner of Yonge and Hopkins, then progress southward towards Harding.

To accommodate this work, they’re setting up work zones that restrict traffic on Yonge to just one lane in each direction during off-peak hours [from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.]. “Paid-duty” York Regional Police officers and traffic-control staff will be on site to direct motorists during this work.

At times, the work zone may block the sidewalk on either the east or west side of Yonge. Signs will direct pedestrians to the nearest available walkway.

GO Transit may temporarily relocate bus stops near the work zone. Also expect delays aboard buses along this route:

• 61 Richmond Hill / Toronto.

York Region Transit may temporarily relocate bus stops near the work zone. Also expect delays aboard buses along these routes:

• Viva blue;
• 25 Major Mackenzie; and
• 99 Yonge.

Storm-sewer work on Yonge between Hopkins / Elmwood and Harding — and the resulting GO and YRT service changes — continue “for approximately one week” or until 5 p.m. March 25.

From Monday, March 18 until Thursday, March 21, the TTC is closing the Line 1 Yonge - University subway between St Clair West and Union stations at 11 p.m., as crews continue installing the automated train-control (ATC) signal system. Line 1 subway trains operate only between Vaughan Metropolitan and St Clair West stations and between Finch and Union stations after 11 p.m. Monday to Thursday.

Shuttle buses operate, stopping on the street near each station along the closed section of the line. Most stations along this part of the line remain open to passengers so you can buy fares or access connecting buses, streetcars and subway trains. However, Museum and Dupont stations are closed.

Wheel-Trans is available at each station along the closed section of the line throughout the weekend. You can speak with a TTC staff member to ask about the accessible service and its frequency.

According to a TTC news release, “When ATC is fully installed on Line 1, it will provide a more modern and reliable signal system that will help the TTC improve capacity by allowing for increased trips on the line. While the TTC does most subway maintenance at the conclusion of service each night, it continues to require weekend closures to complete critical infrastructure and ATC upgrades… [and] work on the Eglinton Crosstown” light rail transit project.

Full subway service along Line 1 resumes by 6 a.m. Tuesday to Friday mornings.

The TTC has already closed this section of Line 1 several times earlier this year:

• Saturday, January 12 and Sunday, January 13 - St Clair West to Union - signal upgrades.
• Sunday, January 20 - Bloor to Osgoode - late opening - track repairs and maintenance.
• Saturday, February 2 - Spadina to Union - signal upgrades.
• Sunday, February 3 — until 10 p.m. - St Clair West to Union - signal upgrades.
• Sunday, February 3 — after 10 p.m. - St Clair West to King - signal upgrades.
• Saturday, February 23 and Sunday, February 24 - St Clair West to Union - signal upgrades.
• Monday, March 4 to Thursday, March 7 - early closure - St Clair West to Union - signal upgrades.

Although the TTC has not yet announced its complete schedule of weekend subway closures for 2019, it is planning to close parts of this section of Line 1 several times more this year:

• Monday, March 25 until Thursday, March 28 - early closure - Bloor to St Andrew - signal upgrades.
• Saturday, March 30 and Sunday, March 31 - weekend closure - St Clair West to Union - signal upgrades.
• Monday, April 1 until Thursday, April 4 - early closure - St Clair West to St Andrew - signal upgrades.
• Monday, April 8 until Thursday, April 11 - early closure - St Clair West to Union - signal upgrades.
• Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14 - weekend closure - Bloor to Osgoode - signal upgrades.
• Monday, April 22 until Thursday, April 25 - early closure - Bloor to St Andrew - signal upgrades.
• Monday, April 29 until Thursday, May 2 - early closure - St Clair West to Union - signal upgrades.

From 12:01 until 5 a.m. daily, starting Tuesday, March 19, 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.

Spadina streetcar-tunnel inspection and the resulting TTC service changes continue early mornings until 5 a.m. March 21.

Metrolinx and York Region contractors continue the project to build a rapidway — bus-only lanes in the centre of the roadway — along Yonge Street in Newmarket between Davis Drive and Sawmill Valley Drive / Savage Road.

From 11 p.m. Tuesday, March 19 until 6 a.m. Wednesday, March 20 and continuing overnight nightly, crews resume refreshing the traffic lines, crosswalks and stop bars at each of the intersections

• on Yonge Street between Davis Drive and Clearmeadow Boulevard / William Roe Boulevard/

They start working at William Roe / Clearmeadow and then proceed northward. They’ll set up temporary work zones at one intersection at time, restricting traffic lanes to just one lane in all directions.

Expect noise from equipment and trucks.

York Region Transit may temporarily relocate bus stops near work zones. Passengers can also expect delays aboard buses along these routes:

• Viva blue;
• 96 Keele - Yonge; and
• 98 Yonge late-night.

Line-painting between Davis and Clearmeadow and the resulting YRT delays continue until 6 a.m. March 22.

Two transit agencies and two municipalities are starting the preliminary planning, design and engineering phase of a project to extend the Yonge branch of the TTC’s Line 1 Yonge - University subway into York Region.

Metrolinx, the TTC, the City of Toronto and the Region of York are planning to extend the line 7.4 kilometres (4.6 miles) through the Thornhill area of Markham and Vaughan to Richmond Hill. The four partners expect this phase of the project to continue for about a year.

With the preliminary planning, design and engineering phase underway, crews continue geotechnical testing

• on Yonge Street between Highway 7 and Finch Avenue.

The crews work at various locations on Yonge over the next several months.

Geotechnical surveyors investigate underground soil conditions to help engineers design the project.

Starting 7 a.m. Monday, March 18 and continuing Mondays to Fridays, crews work

• on Yonge Street south of Woodward Avenue.

The crews use a drill rig to bore holes and extract samples. The work zone blocks the southbound curb lane through the area from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. It restricts traffic on the connector road to a single shared east- and westbound lane on the south side of the roadway. At the end of each of work day, crews remove the work zone and restore the roadway.

Expect construction-related noise and dust from equipment and trucks.

GO Transit passengers can expect delays aboard buses along this route:

• 32 Brampton / Trinity Common / North York.

York Region Transit passengers can expect delays aboard buses along these routes:

• Viva blue;
• Viva blue “A”;
• Viva pink;
• 2 Milliken;
• 5 Clark;
• 77 / 77A Highway 7;
• 98E Yonge express; and
• 99 Yonge.

Geotechnical surveying on Yonge south of Woodward and the resulting GO and YRT delays continue “for approximately two weeks” or until about March 31.

Metrolinx and York Region contractors continue the project to build a rapidway — bus-only lanes in the centre of the roadway — along Yonge Street in Richmond Hill between 19th Avenue / Gamble Road and Highway 7.

From 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday, March 18 and continuing daily, crews resume installing storm sewers

• on Yonge Street, west side between just north of Baif Boulevard and Carrville Road.

They’re setting up temporary work zones, reducing southbound traffic on Yonge to just one lane during off-peak hours. They’ll maintain access to businesses and other properties near the work zone. However, they may also temporarily block sidewalks. Signs direct pedestrians to the nearest available walkway.

Expect noise, vibration and dust from equipment and trucks.

GO Transit may temporarily relocate bus stops near work zones. Passengers aboard buses along this route can also expect delays:

• 61 Richmond Hill / Toronto.

York Region Transit may temporarily relocate bus stops near work zones. Passengers aboard buses along these routes can also expect delays:

• Viva blue;
• Viva blue “A”;
• 86 Newkirk - Silver Maple;
• 98E Yonge express;
• 99 Yonge; and
• 590 Richmond Hill community bus.

Storm-sewer work between Baif and Carrville — and the resulting GO and YRT delays — continue “for approximately two weeks” or until about March 31.

In Toronto (and probably most other places), the most you ever hear from people about their bus or streetcar driver… is usually a complaint.

Tomorrow, Monday, March 18, is the day to change that during the annual Transit Driver Appreciation Day.

Consider this: For hours on end, transit drivers manage to keep a schedule, check fares, give directions, remember stop requests and more, all while safely maneuvering an extra-large vehicle through unpredictable traffic, adverse weather conditions and some really tight spaces. The fact is, transit drivers don’t have an easy job, they just make it look that way.

Celebrate the contributions of your hard-working bus and streetcar drivers and train operators! That could be as simple as a smile and a wave when you board the bus or train and a “thank you” when you leave. You can also spread the word on social media, using the hashtag #tdad. And, don’t forget to submit an official commendation for a job well done, so your transit agency can formally recognize your drivers for their efforts. (You can do that any time of year.)

OK, so maybe it’s not an official holiday… yet. Here’s your chance to help spread the word and make it a tradition.

School bus drivers have their day to shine, and so do truck drivers. Some riders in Seattle conceived Transit Driver Appreciation Day in 2009 and we think it’s a great way to honour the many hard-working men and women who keep us all moving every day.

Why March 18? That’s the day in 1662 that Blaise Pascal — mathematician, inventor, physicist, philosopher, author and general savant — started operating an omnibus service in Paris.

Image: Durham Region Transit.

Sources:

• Transit Driver Appreciation Day
• Tri-Met
• Durham Region Transit.

Metrolinx contractors continue building the future Eglinton Crosstown light rail transit line between Mount Dennis and Kennedy.

The Crosstown team is hosting a series of community open houses, where you can learn more about the LRT project, current and upcoming construction in your neighbourhood, construction impacts and who to contact if you have questions or concerns, and station-construction progress, design and other information.

Events take place:

• Monday, March 18;
• Tuesday, March 19;
• Thursday, March 28; and
• Wednesday, April 10.

Each open house focusses on a different part of the project:

• West: the rail corridor, the Eglinton Maintenance Service Facility, the West Portal and elevated guideway, and Mount Dennis, Keelesdale and Fairbank stations.
• Central West: Oakwood, Cedarvale, Forest Hill, Chaplin, Avenue and Eglinton stations.
• Central East: Eglinton, Mount Pleasant, Leaside, Laird and Science Centre stations and Sunnybrook Park stop.
• East: Science Centre Station and surface section between Aga Khan and Ionview stops and Kennedy Station.

Image: Metrolinx.