TTC will restore closed streetcar route months ahead of schedule

A TTC streetcar route that has been out of service for over seven months will be back on the rails starting this Sunday, October 6, coming months ahead of schedule.

The transit agency announced on Tuesday that it would be restoring service on the 504 King streetcar route between Shaw and Dufferin streets starting this weekend, following the ahead-of-schedule completion of a long-term track renewal project that has been ongoing since February 2024.

The massive undertaking to replace aging streetcar tracks along the stretch was carried out in as part of a larger City-run infrastructure project on this stretch of King, done in conjunction with the replacement of a 146-year-old watermain running below the busy arterial.

Work on the TTC upgrades was initially scheduled to last until December, though the transit agency managed to reopen the closed stretch of the thoroughfare last month, foreshadowing Tuesday's announcement that streetcar service was to resume imminently.

One of the Toronto projects causing brutal Liberty Village traffic is now almost completehttps://t.co/oXWqaSe3h0

— blogTO (@blogTO) September 6, 2024

According to the TTC, Sunday will mark the end of the unpopular east/west diversions routed around the closure, which have contributed to nightmare traffic conditions in the Liberty Village neighbourhood — where a casual walking pace can prove faster than a TTC bus.

The traffic in Liberty Village is really bad so we tested to see if it's FASTER to take the bus or walk! pic.twitter.com/Eq7TJow9Dp

— blogTO (@blogTO) August 5, 2024

"I know how inconvenient these diversions have been for riders, so it's fantastic to hear that things are getting back to normal next week and much earlier than expected," said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. 

Chow hailed "The coordination between the City and TTC," calling it "commendable" and noting how it will result in "less disruption for everyone." 

"Working together ensured the projects were completed in tandem, without the need for ongoing future road closures," said Chow.

TTC Chair Jamaal Myers shouted out a thank you to "the hardworking crews, engineers, and staff whose dedication and expertise have ensured that this important infrastructure upgrade was completed ahead of schedule."

"I also want to thank the residents and businesses along King Street West for their patience and understanding during the construction," said Myers.