Transit Toronto

Since December, 2019, Region of Halton contractors have been working on a project to widen and improve

• Trafalgar Road (Regional Road 3) between north of Hays Boulevard and Leighland Avenue in Oakville.

Since then, crews have mostly worked on the west side of the roadway, diverting traffic to the east side. GO Transit and Oakville Transit have temporarily relocated bus stops on the west side of Trafalgar throughout 2020.

Starting Saturday, November 28, GO and OT are further relocating the west-side bus stops to permanent locations on Trafalgar.

GO buses along these routes drop off and pick up passengers at new stops:

• 46 Oakville / Highway 407.

Oakville Transit buses along these routes serve passengers at new stops:

• 1 Trafalgar;
• 5 / 5A Dundas;
• 6 Upper Middle;
• 19 River Oaks; and
• 24 South Common Centre.

Construction on Trafalgar Road and the GO and Oakville Transit service changes continue

The TTC is closing part of Line 1 Yonge - University between Lawrence and St Clair Stations all day Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29. Line 1 trains operate only between Finch and Lawrence stations and between St Clair and Vaughan Metropolitan Centre stations those days.

Frequent shuttle buses partly replace the trains, stopping on the street stopping near each station of the closed section of the line. At Eglinton and Davisville stations, passengers can exit from or board buses on the street. At St Clair Station, passengers exit on St. Clair Avenue East east of Yonge Street beside the main station entrance, but can board inside the bus terminal off Pleasant Boulevard.

(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 buses also operate between Lawrence and St Clair stations. Passengers can ask any TTC staff member for Wheel-Trans service. Because 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 staff member for Wheel-Trans.

The TTC is planning to close this section of Line 1 twice more this year:

• Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13 — Finch to St Clair — signal and tunnel work.
• Saturday, December 19 — Lawrence to St Clair — Eglinton Crosstown light rail transit line construction.

By 8 p.m. Friday, November 27, TTC track crews start a project replace the worn rails at the westbound streetcar stop

• on Queen Street West at Claremont Street.

The transit agency is detouring streetcars along these routes, while the work zone blocks the track area:

• 301 Queen overnight; and
• 501 Queen.

Shuttle buses replace the cars between Shaw Street and Spadina Avenue.

Track replacement on Queen West at Claremont and the resulting TTC detour continue until November 30

As part of the GO Expansion Program, Metrolinx is building the Davenport Guideway and Greenway, a raised grade separation to eliminate the Davenport Diamond. The Diamond is the intersection where GO Transit’s Barrie rail corridor meets the Canadian Pacific Railway’s east-west freight tracks. Currently, it’s one of the busiest train intersections in North America.

From 6 p.m. Saturday, November 28 until 6 a.m. Sunday, November 29 and from 6 p.m. Sunday until 6 a.m. Monday, November 30, the City of Toronto is closing

• Bloor Street West between Ruttan Street and St. Helens Avenue

to accommodate Metrolinx contractors who are demolishing part of a railroad bridge. The bridge carries that tracks of the Newmarket subdivision — GO Transit’s Barrie line — over Bloor West.

The TTC is detouring buses along these routes, while the street is closed:

• 300 Bloor - Danforth overnight;
• 306 Carlton overnight; and
• 506 Carlton.

Crews demolish the bridge in two parts. First, this weekend, they demolish the west half of the bridge and then, at a future date, when Metrolinx has reconstructed the west side, they’ll take down the east half.

GO Transit is cancelling all train trips along the Barrie line November 28 and 29 so that crews can work on several activities to support more capacity, better communications and more reliable reliability. GO buses replace trains along the line all day Saturday and Sunday. Cancelling train service also allows crews to demolish the bridge safely. The TTC and Toronto Hydro are also working in the area. Co-ordinating multiple blocks of work into a single weekend helps reduce the inconvenience to passengers and residents.

The Bloor bridge as it stands today, looking west. Image: Metrolinx

Demolishing the first half of the bridge only requires GO to temporarily suspend train service. After this weekend, GO trains operate over the east side of the bridge. After crews rebuild the west half, install new track, and move the trains onto the new track, they can work on the rest of the bridge. By the end of the project, they’ll have completely rebuilt the Bloor bridge.

Metrolinx and GO plan to accommodate more passengers and increase service along the Barrie line, as part of their GO Expansion Program (formerly “regional express rail”).

GO Transit is replacing trains with buses east of Port Credit GO Station late Friday, November 27 and all day Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29. Metrolinx crews are upgrading the tracks and signals along this section of the line.

GO trains don’t operate to and from Long Branch, Mimico and Exhibition GO stations during the track work. If you need to get to or from these stations this weekend, travel aboard MiWay or TTC buses.

Friday, November 27

• Starting 8 p.m., eastbound trains end at Port Credit GO. Express buses operate between Port Credit and Union Station GO Bus Terminal.
• Eastbound buses leave Port Credit GO four minutes later than regular train times.
• Starting 7:30 p.m., all westbound trains start trips at Port Credit. Express buses operate between Union and Port Credit, where you can transfer to a westbound train.
• Westbound buses leave Union ten to 15 minutes earlier than regular train times.

Saturday, November 28
Sunday, November 29

• Trains don’t operate between Union Station and Port Credit GO Station.
• Eastbound buses leave Port Credit for Union Station GO Bus Terminal four to nine minutes later than regular train times.
• Toronto-bound trains from Niagara Falls end at Port Credit GO. Transfer to buses at Port Credit to continue your trip toward Union Station.
• Westbound buses leave Union Station GO Bus Terminal for Port Credit ten to 15 minutes earlier than regular train times.
• Westbound trains from Port Credit to Aldershot GO Station leave five minutes later than regular train times.
• Niagara-bound trains leave from Port Credit GO.

If you’re transferring at Union Station between Lakeshore East and Lakeshore West trains, you can expect delays of 50 to 55 minutes since GO is adjusting schedules and services to accommodate this work.

Note that GO buses can only accommodate two bikes per bus coach.

Regular train service resumes Monday, November 30.

Work crews are replacing track and signal infrastructure on the Lakeshore West line over the next several months. Image: Metrolinx

Metrolinx is replacing a major part of the track and signalling system between Long Branch and Mimico GO stations over the next 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.

Generally, crews can only complete this work when trains aren’t operating.

GO Transit is replacing all trains with buses along the Barrie line Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29. While the line is closed, Metrolinx contractors continue working to support more capacity, better communications and more reliable service, as part of the GO Expansion Project.

GO buses replace trains to and from all stations on the Barrie line, except Downsview Park and York University. You can travel to and from Downsview Park aboard TTC Line 1 Yonge - University subway trains. GO trains do not stop at York University weekends.

Replacement buses leave stations five to 15 minutes later than regular train times.

If you use PRESTO, remember to tap before you board and exit buses. Don’t tap in the stations.

While the line is closed, contractors continue working on the Davenport Diamond project to build an elevated guidway to carry GO trains over the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks south of Davenport Road.

They’re also demolishing the west half of the bridge that carries the trains over Bloor Street West west of Lansdowne Avenue.

Metrolinx and GO plan to accommodate more passengers and increase service along the Barrie line, as part of their GO Expansion Program (formerly “regional express rail”).

Exhibition Place is closing several streets

• from 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 25 until 2 a.m., Thursday, November 26;
• from 3 p.m. Thursday until 6 a.m. Friday, November 27; and
• from 3 p.m. Friday until 7 a.m. Saturday, November 28.

to accommodate a film shoot.

The TTC is detouring buses along this route, while the streets are closed:

• 29C Dufferin

From 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. Wednesday, November 25, the City of Brampton is closing

• Mill Street North between Church and Nelson Streets West and
• Railroad Street between West Street and George Street North

to accommodate a film shoot.

Brampton Transit is detouring buses along this route, while the streets are closed:

• 52 McMurchy.

Metrolinx continues to improve accessibility and other amenities at Burlington GO Station, as part of the GO Expansion Program.

Starting Wednesday, November 25, crews are building a new barrier-free access ramp at the passengers drop-off and pick-up area (or “kiss and ride”) in the south parking lot.

If you park in the south parking lot, north of the kiss and ride, use the temporary accessible path to get to the station. Look for signs to direct you.

GO Transit is closing 14 parking spaces in the south parking lot during construction. However, plenty of parking is still available at the station.

Acess-ramp construction at Burlington GO Station continues “until the end of the year”, meaning as long as until December 31.

Since Monday, October 26, GO has closed all elevators in the station, while crews upgrade them. GO says, “The elevators are reaching the end of their lifespan and these updates will make them more efficient and reliable.”

If you need an elevator, you have no access to train platforms at Burlington GO, starting Monday.

GO is advising passengers who need an elevator to reach the platforms to travel, instead, to and from Aldershot GO Station — one station to the west — or Appleby GO Station — one station to the east.

If you need help to get to one of these stations, you can register for GO’s accessible shuttle service by calling 416-869-3200 or 1-888-438-6646 (toll0free). You can also ask for a paper copy of the request form from a station attendant. Make your request 48 hours before you travel.

Burlington Transit buses along the 1 Plains - Fairview route also connect passengers between Burlington and Appleby GO stations during most times of the week, except overnight.

BT buses along the 80 Harvester route connect the two stations Mondays to Fridays before about 7 p.m. and buses along the 81 North Service route operate during rush hours.

Also only during rush hours, buses along the 87 North Service - Aldershot route link Burlington and Aldershot GO stations.

The elevator in the north parking structure will still be available during construction.

GO is also building a secure bike locker at the station. Construction on both the elevators and the bike locker continues until “spring 2021”, meaning as long as until June 30, 2021.

Metrolinx and GO plan to accommodate more passengers and increase service along the Lakeshore West line, as part of their GO Expansion Program (formerly “regional express rail”).

Since Monday, November 16, the City of Toronto has closed

• the intersection of Dundas Street West with College Street,
• College Street between Dundas Street West and Lansdowne Avenue and
• Dundas Street West between College Street and Lansdowne Avenue

to accommodate a TTC / City project (.pdf) to replace the streetcar tracks.

The City previously closed (and continues to close)

• Dundas Street West between west of Sterling Road and College Street

to accommodate an earlier track-replacement project. The closure continues “until the end of 2020”, meaning this part of Dundas West remains closed at least as long as until January 5, 2021.

Starting late Tuesday, November 10, TTC crews started storing flat-bed trailers containing pre-assembled sections of rail in the track area on College and Dundas west of Lansdowne Avenue to supply early construction activity. It replaced streetcars with buses on Dundas west of Bathurst and continued to operate buses on College during this phase of the project.

Since crews have now removed the trailers from the tracks, starting 5 a.m. Monday, November 23, the TTC is revising how it detours services in the Dundas / College area.

The detours affect buses and streetcars along these routes:

• 306 Carlton overnight;
• 505 Dundas; and
• 506 Carlton.

Unofficially, shuttle buses may partly supplement streetcar service along the 505 Dundas route between Lansdowne and Ossington Avenues.

The project follows earlier, nearby projects to replace the tracks:

• on Howard Park Avenue and in High Park Loop, starting Monday, June 22;
• at the intersection of Dundas Street West with Howard Park Avenue, starting Sunday, September 27; and
• at the intersection of Dundas Street West with Sterling Road and on Dundas West between west of Sterling Road and College Street / St. Helens Avenue, starting Wednesday, October 28.

During this project, the City is prohibiting through traffic and on-street parking on Dundas Street West between Sterling Road and Lansdowne Avenue.

Crews work in the track area all day, every day. They’ll excavate, break concrete and complete other noisy activities only from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. daily. The TTC says that concrete-breaking… is the most disruptive and typically lasts the first two days for each phase of the construction.

According to the TTC, “The rail installation phase of this project requires periods of around-the-clock work by TTC to preserve the integrity and quality of new rail and concrete, and to support the daytime work. Overnight rail work by TTC may consist of moving new rail into position, rail installation and rail welding / grinding.”

In a related project, starting Monday, October 26, the City is also improving intersection and sidewalks, installing cycling infrastructure and rebuilding the roadways on:

• Lumbervale Avenue between St. Helens and Lansdowne Avenues; and
• St. Helens Avenue between Lumbervale Avenue and College Street.

The project to replace the streetcar tracks at Dundas West / College is the last of three projects during recent years to upgrade the tracks in the Dundas West / Lansdowne / College triangle. Previous projects include:

• Dundas West / Lansdowne fall, 2018; and
• Lansdowne / College summer, 2016.