Today, Toronto City Council approved plans for long-term, temporary traffic changes that will enable the construction of the section of the province’s new Ontario Line from Exhibition Station to the future Corktown Station between 2022 and 2029.
The preliminary plans outline the impact that traffic changes could have on the community and road users, including drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and transit riders. These plans will be refined, and traffic impacts reduced as construction contracts are awarded.
Building rapid transit through downtown Toronto will be challenging, but the City of Toronto, Metrolinx and TTC, along with utility providers and other builders, are working together to reduce its impact on traffic by coordinating several years of construction and maintenance work in advance.
A number of traffic mitigation and safety strategies will be implemented, including:
The plans include strategic infrastructure improvements that will allow for flexible commutes both during and after the station construction, including new streetcar tracks to accommodate a TTC Queen 501 streetcar detour during the Queen Street closure.
A full list of road closures and lane restrictions for the construction of the six stations is available in Appendix A.
The Ontario Line will bring 15.6 kilometres of much-needed rapid transit to Toronto to make moving around the city faster and easier than it is today. Stretching from Exhibition Place to the Ontario Science Centre, the new subway line will reduce crowding on other transit routes and decrease car emissions as public transit becomes a more convenient choice.
More information about the Ontario Line is available at www.Metrolinx.com/OntarioLine.
Construction Hubs are a Vision Zero measure to improve road safety around areas in the city that have a dense concentration of construction activity. Construction Hub Coordinators conduct logistical planning of the public right-of-way, manage work zones, support local residents and businesses by being a single point of contact, review construction plans, forecast neighbourhood changes and communicate early and often with neighbourhood stakeholders.
More information about Construction Hubs is available at www.toronto.ca/ConstructionHub.
Quotes:
“We know we have lots of transit construction ahead of us – overall that is a very good thing for the future of our city. I’ve worked to ensure that all levels of government get on with getting more transit built in Toronto as quickly as possible. You can’t advocate for major transit investments and expansion without acknowledging that it will lead to major transit construction. I am committed to working with Metrolinx and the province to make sure we work through these issues. I want people to know that we are getting on with building transit and addressing traffic congestion concerns – we can and must do both.”
– Mayor John Tory
“We are pleased to be a part of such a large, coordinated effort here in Toronto to plan a wide range of construction projects. We care about the communities and businesses we serve, and we are committed to supporting them as we bring major transit improvements to neighbourhoods across the city.”
– Phil Verster, President and Chief Executive Officer, Metrolinx
“The TTC is committed to continuing our collaborative relationship with Metrolinx and the City of Toronto as this project moves forward. Our teams will work together to both minimize service disruptions for the 15,000 customers who travel this section of Queen Street daily, and help facilitate the timely construction of the Ontario Line and its seamless integration into the existing TTC network.”
– Rick Leary, CEO, TTC
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.