The 501 streetcar spent much of 2016 avoiding a portion of Queen Street West, between Spadina and Shaw, thanks to construction. While there were shuttle buses on route, many riders chose to take the detour, which brought streetcars down along King Street West.

That portion of the route has reopened, but for most of 2017, the TTC will replace the western part of the 501 - past Roncesvalles Avenue - with buses.

"Starting Jan. 8, and throughout 2017, buses will replace streetcars on the portion of the 501 Queen route west of Roncesvalles Ave. to accommodate City of Toronto work on the Queensway Bridge, TTC streetcar track and overhead work, and the renewal of the Humber Loop," reads a note on the TTC website.

The TTC will add shuttle buses to the routes as follows:

• 501L/301L Queen - buses will operate between Dufferin Gate Loop and Long Branch Loop via Queen St. W., The Queensway, Windermere Ave. and Lake Shore Blvd. W.
• 501M Queen - a secondary bus service will operate to link The Queensway with Lake Shore Blvd. W., Marine Parade Dr. and Park Lawn Rd. These buses will not enter Humber Loop.

You can expect the extra transfer and change to bus service to put a strain on the already transit-challenged residents of Humber Bay Shores south Etobicoke who commute to the core. On the bright side, the Humber Loop will be completely renovated as part of the project.

These aren't the only changes coming to the TTC next year. Remember, fares go up on January 1 too.