Transit Toronto

The TTC is opening the Line 1 Yonge - University subway between Osgoode and Bloor Stations later than usually, Sunday, January 20. Before noon that day, Line 1 subway trains operate only between Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and Osgoode stations and between Finch and Bloor stations.

Shuttle buses operate to partially replace subway service. They stop on the street near each station along the closed section of the line. Wellesley Station is also closed to passengers until noon, but all other stations remain open so you can buy fares.

You can also ride Wheel-Trans accessible service from any station in the closure area. Speak with any TTC staff member to ask for Wheel-Trans.

Since Wednesday, January 9, passengers have been experiencing longer than normal travel times on the southbound portion of Line 1 between Eglinton West and King stations, as crews upgrade the tracks between Union and King stations. Crews will complete most of the track work to to lift the restricted speed zone during the closure on Sunday morning.

The TTC expects service to return to normal later next week.

The transit agency has previously closed some of this part of the subway once before this year:

• Saturday, January 12 and Sunday, January 13 — St Clair West to Union.

Although the TTC has not yet announced its schedule of weekend subway closures for 2019, it is planning to close this same section of Line 1 at least twice more this year:

• Saturday, February 2 and and Sunday, February 3 - St Clair West to Union; and
• Saturday, February 23 and Sunday, February 24 - St Clair West to Union.

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

Crews continue relocating utilities and widening and rebuilding the roadway

• on Eglinton Avenue East between Sloane Avenue / Bermondsey Road and Victoria Park Avenue.

The work supports construction of the LRT “guideway” — the transit-only lanes in the centre of the roadway, including tracks and passenger amenities between the future O’Connor and Sloane stops.

Starting “as early as” Tuesday, January 15, crews reconfigure the traffic lanes to support the next stage of guideway construction.

Work zones block traffic lanes

• on the south side of Eglinton East east and west of Bermondsey Road;
• in the centre of Eglinton from east of Sloane / Bermondsey to west of Jonesville Crescent;
• on the north side** of Eglinton west of Jonesville and between Jonesville and Victoria Park.

Crews work from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. every day. To support ongoing work at the Wilson Brook culvert (east of Sloane / Bermondsey), crews use a generator to power a pump to remove excess water from the work zone. The generator may operate continuously, including overnight from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m., when necessary.

This phase of the project, including this traffic-lane set-up and the resulting changes to TTC services, continues “for approximately four (4) weeks” or until February 15.

For transit passengers

• Expect delays to continue aboard TTC buses along this route:

• 34 Eglinton East.

• Crews are installing a temporary platform for eastbound passengers at the stop west of Bermondsey.
• They’re also installing another temporary platform for westbound passengers at the stop east of Jonesville.
• The TTC is removing the westbound stop west of Victoria Park. It’s installing a temporary stop east of Victoria Park.

For pedestrians

• The sidewalk on the north side of Eglinton East remains closed to pedestrians near the Wilson Brook culvert worksite (east of Sloane Avenue and west of Jonesville Crescent).
• Use the sidewalk on the south side of Eglinton.

For motorists

• Two lanes are available for both in both directions throughout the area, except at the Wilson Brook culvert site, where just one lane is available.

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

Starting “as early as” 9 p.m. Tuesday, January 15, Toronto Hydro crews work overnight to install a duct bank

• on Mount Pleasant Road south of Eglinton Avenue East,

near the site of the future Mount Pleasant Station.

After the crews have installed the duct bank, the contractors can proceed with shallow excavation on the south side of Eglinton East.

The work zone blocks Mount Pleasant Road to just one lane only. Traffic control personnel will direct traffic so that it flows through the single lane, alternating directions.

Crews work overnight from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Mondays to Fridays and then continuously from 9 p.m. Fridays until 5 a.m. Mondays.

Duct-bank installation on Mount Pleasant Road and the resulting TTC delays continue “for approximately two weeks” or until 5 a.m. January 28.

For transit passengers:

• During duct-bank installation on Mount Pleasant Road, passengers aboard buses along this route can expect major delays:

• 74 Mt Pleasant.

• Also during construction of the future Mount Pleasant Station, TTC passengers aboard buses along these routes can expect delays:

• 34 Eglinton East;
• 51 Leslie;
• 54 Lawrence East; and
• 56 Leaside.

For pedestrians:

• The north-south crosswalk on the east side of Mount Pleasant remains closed.
• A work zone blocks the east end of the east-west crosswalk on the south side of Eglinton. A temporary walkway guides route southward around the work zone.

For motorists:

• Work zones block traffic lanes on the south side of Eglinton East between Taunton Road and Brownlow Avenue.
• Another work zone blocks traffic lanes on the east side of Mount Pleasant south of Eglinton.
• Two lanes remain available to traffic in both directions on Eglinton.
• Two lanes remain available to traffic in both directions on Mount Pleasant north of Eglinton.
• Just one lane is available to traffic south of Eglinton.
• The City of Toronto continues to prohibit turns in all directions at the intersection.
• The City continues to prohibit left turns for northbound traffic on Taunton to westbound Eglinton and for westbound traffic on Eglinton onto Taunton.
• The City continues to prohibit left turns for northbound traffic on Brownlow to westbound Eglinton and for westbound traffic on Eglinton onto Brownlow; and
• Rawlinson Avenue remains closed to traffic at Eglinton.

For nearby residents and business people:

• Expect to hear noise from construction equipment, including hydro-vacuum trucks, concrete trucks, dump trucks, loaders, excavators, pumps, water trucks and generators.
• Expect to see nighttime site lighting.
• Crews may store material and equipment in the work zone.

From Monday, January 14 until Friday, January 18, Metrolinx crews are maintaining the track along GO Transit’s 09 Lakeshore East line after midnight each night. Trains must operate more slowly than usually through the work areas. The work may delay trains by as much as 15 minutes behind schedule.

The crews are welding rails, supporting plans to improve service along the Lakeshore East corridor.

From Monday, January 14 until Friday, January 18, Metrolinx crews are maintaining the tracks along GO Transit’s 01 Lakeshore West line after about 9 p.m. each night.

Trains must operate more slowly than usually through the work areas. Expect delays of as much as 10 minutes behind schedule.

The crews are welding rails, supporting plans to improve service along the Lakeshore West corridor.

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

The contractors continue to work in the railway corridor beside the site of the future Mount Dennis Station to relocate Canadian Pacific Railway, GO Transit and Union Pearson Express tracks as part of the project.

To complete these works and maintain the project schedule, they have asked for access to the rail corridor for personnel and equipment through two sites: the corridor gate on Locust Street and* the vacant property at 117 Brownville Avenue*. During an information meeting this week, you will have the opportunity to see construction plans for upcoming works, ask questions and share your comments with Metrolinx and Crosslinx Transit Solutions staff. This meeting will be drop-in format with no formal presentation.

Thursday, January 17,
6:30 until 8 p.m.,
UrbanArts Dance Studio,
5 Bartonville Avenue East.

Getting there by public transit

• Northbound TTC buses along the 71B Runnymede route to Ray Avenue across from Bartonville Avenue East. Cross Ray to the studio.
• Northbound TTC buses along the 89 Weston, 171 Mt Dennis and 989 Weston express routes to Weston Road at Ray Avenue. Cross Ray Avenue at the signal, then walk eastward along Ray to Bartonville East and the studio.
• Southbound TTC buses along the 89 Weston and 989 Weston express routes to Weston Road at Ray Avenue. Cross Weston Road at the signal, then walk eastward along Ray to Bartonville East and the studio.

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.

The contractors have already started widening Yonge Street to prepare for upcoming rapidway construction. As part of the road-widening project, they’re installing storm sewers on the east side of Yonge Street between May Avenue and Harding Boulevard East this week.

From 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday, January 14 and continuing daily, they work

• on Yonge Street across from May Avenue and progress northward.

The work zone restricts northbound traffic on Yonge to just one lane.

“Paid-duty” York Region Police officers and traffic-control staff will be on-site to guide pedestrians and motorists during this work. They’ll direct traffic on May through the single shared lane, alternating the flow in each direction.

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

• 61 Richmond Hill / Toronto.

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

• Viva blue;
• Viva blue “A”;
• 99 Yonge;
• 589 / 590 Richmond Hill community bus.

Storm-sewer installation on the east side of Yonge Street between May Avenue and Harding Boulevard East — and the GO and YRT delays — continue “for approximately one week” or until January 21.

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

Starting 9 a.m. Thursday, January 10, crews are upgrading the water-mains where they cross the light rail transit “guideway” — the tracks —

• on Eglinton Avenue East at Victoria Park Avenue,

near the site of the future O’Connor stop.

Crews work from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday, January 11 to get ready for this phase of the project, then from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. Saturday, January 12 and Sunday, January 13 to upgrade the mains.

They’re digging a trench to access and upgrade the water main and install new control valves. The work zones may block traffic lanes on both Eglinton East and Victoria Park. Outside of working hours, crews cover exposed areas with metal plates.

For transit passengers:

• The TTC continues to detour buses along the 70 O’Connor route.
• Passengers aboard buses along these routes can also expect delays:

• 24 Victoria Park; and
• 34 Eglinton East.

• At least one lane for traffic in each direction will be available on Eglinton East and Victoria Park at all times.

This Saturday, January 12 and Sunday, January 13, the TTC is closing the Line 1 Yonge - University subway between St Clair West and Union stations, 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 this weekend.

Shuttle buses operate, stopping beside each station along the route. The TTC is closing Dupont and Museum stations, but all other stations remain open so that you can buy fares or access connecting buses and streetcars.

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 service and 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.

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

• Saturday, February 2 and and Sunday, February 3 - St Clair West to Union; and
• Saturday, February 23 and Sunday, February 24 - St Clair West to Union.

Shuttle-bus alternatives

Plan your trips on the subway ahead of time late evenings this week to avoid stress and crowds. Leave extra time in your schedule and expect longer traveling times tonight through Thursday night.

While shuttle buses operate frequently, they will be crowded.

Regular TTC buses and streetcars provide less frequent, less direct, but, perhaps, less stressful alternatives. Consider travelling along the Yonge branch, instead of the University branch, to and from downtown Toronto and avoid the shuttle buses entirely.

Ride buses or streetcars on routes serving streets north or south of the closure to reach stations on the Yonge branch of Line 1:

• Buses along the 84 Sheppard West or 984 Sheppard West express routes and board the subway at Sheppard - Yonge Station, instead of Sheppard West Station.
• Buses along the 96 Wilson or 165 Weston Rd North routes and board the subway at York Mills Station, instead of Wilson Station.
• Buses along the 52 Lawrence West route and board the subway at Lawrence Station, instead of Lawrence West Station.
• Buses along the 32 Eglinton West route and board the subway at Eglinton Station, instead of Eglinton West Station.
• Streetcars along the 512 St Clair route and board the subway at St Clair Station, instead of St Clair West Station.
• Streetcars along the 506 Carlton route and board the subway at College Station, instead of Queen’s Park Station.
• Buses along the 505 Dundas route and board the subway at Dundas Station, instead of St Patrick Station.
• Streetcars along the 501 Queen route and board the subway at Queen Station, instead of Osgoode Station.
• Streetcars along the 504 King route and board the subway at King Station, instead of St Andrew Station.

Access from Line 2 Bloor - Danforth subway

• Transfer to Line 1 Yonge - University subway trains at Yonge Station, instead of St George Station.
• Transfer to buses and streetcars that connect Line 2 to downtown Toronto and avoid Line 1 entirely:

• Buses along the 94 Wellesley route at Castle Frank or Ossington stations.
• Streetcars along the 504 King route at Broadview or Dundas West stations.
• Buses along the 505 Dundas route at Broadview or Dundas West stations.
• Streetcars along the 506 Carlton route at Main Street Station.

• Transfer to streetcars along the 511 Bathurst route at Bathurst Station, then transfer to east-west buses or streetcars.
• Transfer to streetcars along the 510 Spadina route at Spadina Station, then transfer to east-west buses or streetcars. Also: many route 510 streetcars operate to and from Union Station.

The TTC is advising passengers that they will experience longer-than-normal travel times on the southbound section of Line 1 between Eglinton West and King stations as crews continue to upgrade tracks.

According to the Toronto Star, crews started replacing about 300 metres (1,000 feet) of rail between Union and King stations Wednesday, January 9. They’re also replacing a retaining track that allows trains to move quickly around the curve on that short section of the line.

The TTC is restricting speed in the area and will continue to do so until January 24. Although crews are mostly working overnight even a short delay in clearing the tracks affects regular service. The work may delay trains by about 15 minutes, especially Monday-to-Friday mornings when trains are operating more closely together.