Toronto project sees TTC track replacement, watermain upgrades and streetscape improvements
The City of Toronto has announced the kick-off of construction work that will see the replacement of significant downtown infrastructure.
The project scope calls for the replacement of a Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) streetcar track along Queen Street West from Bay Street to Fennings Street and upgrades to a portion of a 100-year old watermain between Bay Street and University Avenue.
Construction work is already underway, and is scheduled for completion in December. The city says it will try to minimize impacts on residents and businesses by staging the work in eight phases of rolling 300-metre work zones. Each phase will last up to four weeks, and crews will work around the clock to expedite the project.
From July to August, construction work will start at Bay Street and move west towards Spadina Avenue. From August to December, construction work will start at Fennings Street and move east towards Spadina Avenue.
“This construction is an important investment in local infrastructure that will reduce disruptions in the long-run and ensure our critical infrastructure remains in a state of good repair now and in the future,” said Mayor John Tory.
The city is partnering with local Business Improvement Areas to encourage local shopping during construction and will be improving the local streetscape in partnership with the Queen Street West BIA. Indeed, it has commissioned a variety of works, including historical lot line markers that reflect the character of the neighbourhood as far back as 1827, a series of clan markers that reflect the presence of Indigenous people on the land, and an Indigenous sidewalk mural.
Featured image: Toronto Transit Commission streetcar. (TTC/YouTube)