Traffic lanes on College Street have been restored for westbound and eastbound traffic. In spring 2023, the City’s contractor will return to complete work on the elevated cycle tracks between Manning Avenue and Spadina Avenue and upgrades to the existing bike lanes between Spadina Avenue and Bay Street.
In mid-September 2022, the City of Toronto and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) started work on several infrastructure upgrades on College Street. These upgrades include:
- replacement of streetcar tracks: Bathurst Street to Bay Street (excluding the intersections at Bathurst Street, Spadina Avenue, McCaul Street and Bay Street)
- installation of separated cycle tracks: Manning Avenue to Bay Street (elevated from Manning Avenue and Spadina Avenue and at grade from Spadina Avenue to Bay Street)
- integrated TTC and cycle streetcar platforms: Manning Avenue to Spadina Avenue
- pedestrian safety improvements at various locations: Manning Avenue to Spadina Avenue
The planned TTC track replacement work on College Street from Bathurst Street and Bay Street provided the City an opportunity to rethink the existing roadway design and consider changes to improve safety for all road users. The safety improvements will include upgrading the existing bike lanes on College Street with physically separated cycle tracks, integrated TTC and cycle streetcar platforms, curb extensions at specific intersecting streets, and raised intersections at certain locations. In addition, the number of bicycle parking spaces will be increased and conditions will be improved for existing street trees to promote better growth.
City Council authorized the College Street Upgrades as part of the Cycling Network Plan: 2022 Cycling Infrastructure Installation – First Quarter on April 7, 2022. A copy of the staff report is available under IEC agenda item IE 28.7.
Once completed, the upgrades will support College Street as a destination to visit and shop local.
News & Updates
Public Information Event
The City held a virtual Public Information Event on Monday, June 27, 2022 to provide details on the planned construction on College Street, and an opportunity for the public to ask questions.
Event Materials
Notices
College Street (Manning Avenue to Bay Street)
Borden Street (College Street to Harbord Street)
Construction Map
Work Phases and Travel Impacts
Legend
- Reduced lane direction/s
- Partial road closure
- No work at intersection
Status of Work
East of Spadina Avenue
- Spadina Avenue to University Avenue – completed
- University Avenue to Bay Street – completed
West of Spadina Avenue
- Augusta Avenue to Spadina Avenue: completed
- Borden Street to Bathurst Street: completed
- Manning Avenue to Bathurst Street: completed
Need assistance? While we aim to provide fully accessible content, there is no text alternative available for some of the content on this page. If you require alternate formats or need assistance understanding our maps, drawings or any other content, please contact us at 416-392-3556, or email CollegeUpgrades@toronto.ca
Project Overview
Streetcar Track Replacement
- Crews will replace the ageing streetcar tracks from Bathurst Street to Bay Street, except at the following intersections: Bathurst Street, Spadina Avenue, McCaul Street and Bay Street.
- Crews will remove old concrete / rails, pour new concrete, install new rails, and restore the road.
- Track replacement will ensure reliable service on the busy 506 Carlton streetcar route, which currently transports approximately 26,000 people per day.
- Completing this work in 2022 will allow the City and TTC to better coordinate a series of projects in the area, i.e. Adelaide Street, King Street West and Bloor Street West.
Separated Cycle Tracks
- Crews will upgrade the existing painted bike lanes on College Street from Manning Avenue to Bay Street to separated cycle tracks to improve safety. The cycle tracks will be elevated from Manning Avenue to Spadina Avenue and at grade (with cast in curbs) from Spadina Avenue to Bay Street.
- From Manning Avenue to Spadina Avenue, the cycle track will be installed in the existing parking layby areas, which will result in a modest loss to street parking. 81% of street parking will be retained next to the bike lanes outside rush hours.
- The new separated cycle tracks will provide the following benefits:
- Reduced risk of dooring and collisions
- Increased road safety for all road users
- Make cycling on College Street a more comfortable and social experience
Streetcar Platform Upgrades
- Crews will construct integrated cycle and streetcar platforms from Manning Avenue to Spadina Avenue.
- The platforms will have space for people cycling and for people waiting to board a transit vehicle. Transit users wait behind the yellow tactile and only cross the cycle track to board / un-board a transit vehicle.
- People cycling must yield to people boarding/un-boarding the transit vehicles.
- The length of the new platforms is 30 metres. This will ensure transit stops meet current standards and are accessible.
- The transit centre island stops at Bathurst Street and at Spadina Avenue intersections will remain unchanged.
Pedestrian Safety Improvements
Curb Extensions
Crews will extend the curbs at the following locations:
- Lippincott Street
- Manning Avenue (northeast and northwest corners)
- Euclid Avenue (southwest corner)
- Augusta Avenue
- Palmerston Avenue (northeast corner)
- Markham Street (northeast corner)
Curb extensions will:
- reduce crossing distances for people walking and improve sight lines
- reduce vehicle speeds of turning vehicles
- provide more public space for pedestrians
- improve accessibility and user experience for all pedestrians
- provide additional space for new trees, plantings and/or street furniture like trash cans and bicycle racks
Raised Crossings
Crews will raise the crossings at the following intersections:
- Brunswick Avenue
- Bellevue Avenue
- Major Street
- Robert Street
Raised crossings will:
- create safer crossing conditions at minor intersections
- help slow traffic and encourage people driving to yield to people walking
- improve the visibility of people walking
Other Improvements
- all intersections from Manning Avenue to Bay Street will be brought up to accessibility standards by installing tactile warning indicators
- increased bike parking
- improved growing conditions for existing trees by expanding tree pits
Construction Details
Timing and Schedule
The project is expected to take place from September 2022 to December 2022, which is approximately two months less than originally planned. This means:
- shorter duration of construction and reduced overall impact
- impact on CaféTO applicants to start later in the summer season (September instead of July) – this includes both curb lane and sidewalk patios
- less full road closures
- ability to better coordinate with other planned / major private construction in the area
Work Hours
- Work may take place twenty-four hours, seven days a week.
- Excavation activities and heavy breaking will be carried out at various times throughout the day. All concrete breaking activities will occur between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. Concrete breaking work is the most disruptive and will typically last the first couple of days for each phase of the construction.
- Periods of around-the-clock work during rail installation is required to preserve the integrity and quality of new rail and concrete and support the daytime work. Overnight rail work by TTC may consist of moving new rail into position, rail installation and rail welding / grinding.
Deliveries
The City is working with businesses to accommodate delivery and loading activities during construction. To discuss your delivery needs contact the staff listed on this webpage.
Accessible Accommodation
The City’s contractor must ensure safe and accessible walkways and entryways are maintained. Any temporary access disruptions will be communicated as soon as possible. If you experience a disruption, have a specific access need or related accommodation request, contact the City staff listed on this webpage.
Travel Impacts
If travelling through the area, please be aware of:
- Reduced travel lanes or road closures will be required along sections of College Street (see map in ‘Construction Map’ tab above)
- People cycling can share travel lanes where possible, or dismount and use existing sidewalks
- There may be sidewalk restrictions within the construction work areas, when crews install the elevated cycle track. Pedestrian access will be maintained
- Access for emergency vehicles will be maintained at all times
TTC Impacts, effective October 13
Starting October 13, TTC will be suspending service on 506 Carlton between Ossington Avenue and Parliament Street. This suspension is being put in place to accommodate several construction projects in this area, including: streetcar track replacement, cycling and pedestrian infrastructure upgrades, transit stop improvements, hydro utility repairs and streetscape improvements.
As a result, the following diversions will be in place until late 2022:
- 506 Carlton streetcars will be suspended on College Street and Carlton Street between Ossington Avenue and Parliament Street. Streetcars will divert via Dundas Street.
- 506C Carlton replacement buses will operate between Ossington Station and Castle Frank Station via Ossington Avenue, Harbord Street, Hoskin Avenue, Queen’s Park, University Avenue, Gerrard Street and Parliament Street.
- Buses and streetcars will not stop at College Station. Customers will need to board 505 Dundas or 506 Carlton streetcars at Dundas and St Patrick stations or a 506C Carlton replacement bus at Queen’s Park Station.
- Frequent alternative service is also operating on the following routes: Line 1, 63 Ossington, 65 Parliament, 75 Sherbourne, 510 Spadina and 511 Bathurst.
The following map depicts the above noted suspended service, route diversions, replacement bus service and frequent alternative service:
This diversion plan creates a replacement service that will more reliability and effectively allow customers to complete their journeys to and from destinations near College and Carlton Streets in a more structured way.
Visit: ttc.ca for accurate schedule information or call 416-393-4636.
Public Consultation
Public and stakeholder consultation was carried out from November 1, 2021 – November 29, 2021.
A virtual public event was held on the proposed design on November 15, 2021.
Carlton Street & Church Street Intersection
Work Status
In late October 2022, the City’s contractor completed streetcar track replacement work at the Carlton Street and Church Street intersection. Full traffic access has been restored.
Notices
Stay Informed
Sign-up for construction updates via email.
