The 504 King streetcar service in Toronto is set to face significant disruptions this fall due to ongoing construction and track replacement efforts affecting key intersections in both the east and west ends of the city. These changes are expected to impact transit operations extensively throughout the construction period.
Beginning on September 15, 2025, the intersection of King Street and Dufferin Street will be completely closed to all vehicles, cyclists, and transit. This closure necessitates diversions for multiple streetcar lines. The 504 King and the 508 Lake Shore streetcars will reroute via Queen Street, covering the area between Shaw Street and Roncesvalles Avenue. Meanwhile, the 29 and 329 Dufferin buses will divert to King Street West at Joe Shuster Way through Queen Street West and Shaw Street. Additionally, the 929 Dufferin Express will be shortened to run only on Queen Street West. It is anticipated that this closure will remain in effect until early November 2025, causing substantial delays and changes in commuter patterns.
On the other side of the city, another significant construction project will commence at the intersection of Queen Street East and Broadview Avenue starting in October 2025. During this time, the 504 King streetcar will operate only as far east as the Distillery Loop. In lieu of streetcar service, buses will replace the 504 King service running between Broadview Station and King Street and Parliament Street. Furthermore, the 501 Queen streetcar will be diverted via Broadview Avenue, Dundas Street, and Parliament Street, while the 503 Kingston Road streetcars will also be replaced by buses and re-routed via Queen Street to Parliament Street to accommodate ongoing work.
For vehicles, the City of Toronto has assured that at least one lane for travel will be retained in each direction on Queen Street throughout the construction period. The construction at Queen Street from Broadview Avenue to Davies Avenue will involve track replacement for streetcars as well as the replacement of two watermains, which are 112 years old, highlighting the age and necessity of this infrastructure work.
This upcoming round of closures follows just weeks after the completion of another significant construction project affecting the 504 King streetcar at King Street and Church Street. The timing of these projects underscores the ongoing efforts by city planners to upgrade and maintain essential transportation infrastructure in Toronto, though it poses challenges for commuters relying on these transit lines.
As the city prepares for these major construction projects, riders and community members are encouraged to stay informed about the diversions and to plan their travel accordingly. The city’s commitment to improving transit infrastructure is evident, but it will require patience and adaptability from those who rely on the streetcar services affected by these ongoing changes.
