Toronto announces plans for priority travel routes around Ontario Line construction zones
The City of Toronto has announced plans to create priority travel routes around Ontario Line construction zones that will be kept clear of as many road restrictions as possible to help residents get around town.
Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie announced the plans on April 13. They come into place on May 1 in anticipation of Metrolinx’s construction of an Ontario Line connection to the TTC’s Queen Station beginning this spring.
The city is working closely with Metrolinx, contractors and the TTC to ensure that traffic congestion and construction impacts are reduced as much as possible by reviewing capital construction plans, upcoming road restrictions and accessibility around all construction zones downtown.
“This construction is so important for the future of our city along with the other major infrastructure work underway,” McKelvie said. “We know we have a lot of construction ahead of us and we recognize the vital need for transit expansion while balancing the needs of the public and businesses to travel in and through the downtown core.”
Dundas Street, from Jarvis Street to Bathurst Street, will be the city’s first priority travel route as Ontario Line construction will fully close Queen Street from Victoria Street to Yonge Street and Yonge Street to Bay Street. Until summer 2024, this stretch of Dundas Street will only have emergency work; on-street parking will be restricted and CaféTO Curb Lane cafes will not be installed to keep the roadway as clear of restrictions as possible.
The city will identify more priority travel routes as construction progresses.
Once completed, the Ontario Line will make travel within Toronto faster and easier by providing a 15-station subway line running from Exhibition Place, through downtown, to the Ontario Science Centre. The new subway line will also offer significant crowding relief within Toronto’s existing transit network.