Streetcar service on King Street East has recently resumed at one end of the city after a lengthy summer closure due to essential repairs. The intersection at King and Church was re-opened to streetcar traffic following the replacement of aging streetcar tracks, as well as a 142-year-old watermain. While the work was completed on August 18, streetcars did not resume operations until the long weekend following rigorous testing of the newly installed tracks.
Despite the positive news surrounding the return of service, commuters should brace for another disruption at the opposite end of the route. Transit advocate Steve Munro indicates that two upcoming interruptions are planned. The first is scheduled for the weekend of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), during which the streetcar service will be diverted around King and John Streets. This diversion will take place from Thursday, September 4, to Monday, September 10, effectively halting King Street streetcar operations.
The second disruption, which is expected to begin in mid-September, may have a more significant impact on commuters across the city. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has yet to announce a specific date, but the intersection of King and Dufferin will undergo reconstruction. This project will involve track reconstruction similar to what was recently done at King and Church, although it will focus solely on track work.
During this time, Dufferin Street will see no transit service between Queen Street West and the Dufferin Gate/Exhibition Loop. The 29 Dufferin and 329 Dufferin buses will both divert via Queen Street West, Shaw Street, and King Street West. Additionally, northbound buses will operate through Gladstone Avenue and Peel Avenue. The 929 Dufferin Express route will be shortened so it only serves Queen Street West before looping back via Gladstone Avenue and Peel Avenue. Meanwhile, the 503 Kingston Road buses will only run between King Street West and Joe Shuster Way and Bingham Loop.
Munro highlights that this upcoming service disruption will significantly impact transit access, especially for residents living south of King Street. Commuters will be required to walk to Queen Street for transit services, and the complete lack of bus service on Dufferin will add to the challenge faced by local passengers. He notes, “They are going to be faced with a fairly big hole in their transit service, both on Dufferin and on King Street West.”
According to the TTC, this disruption concerning the King and Dufferin intersection is expected to last until late October, leaving many commuters navigating alternative routes and modes of transportation during this time.
