Final watermain testing completed last week, allowing the final section of the watermain to be placed into service and enabling individual service connections to begin. Formwork and concrete placement were also completed for the TTC streetcar base, and streetcar rails are being put in place. As of an update from staff on August 5, the project is expected to take two more weeks to complete.
Replacing a 142-year old watermain is never pleasant or without significant disruption. The typical downtown experience with such projects are lengthy delays and unexpected materials in the ground from a century ago that were never properly documented. But there is great risk in leaving century old infrastructure undisturbed. There have been multiple closures in recent history near Church and Wellesley that are a result of a similar century+ old watermain, and a similar impact at King and Church would liekly be even more disruptive than providing proper maintenance and repair.
In addition, allowing the TTC to replace tracks at the same time has minimized construction for local businesses and residents. The City has in its history frequently been criticized for "digging twice" in the same area rather than coordinating construction work. The collaboration at this intersection has not only allowed the TTC to not need to close the King and Church intersection at a future date, they have also taking the opportunity to replace tracks further along King Street East while streetcars are not running, minimzing the need for closures to replace tracks in areas like Corktown in the future.
I do want to firmly acknowledge that whatever benefits this work will provide, this project highlighted a need for better communication, particularly with businesses. There were a lot of stores and shops--particularly on Queen Street East--that were caught offguard by what appeared to be sudden and unexplained temporary parking changes during construction. While City staff have taken that feedback in to hopefully inform future watermain work, it highlighted gaps in how this information was delivered to, and how feedback was recieved local business improvement areas.
Overall, this has all resulted in a lot of short-term pain, but I'm optimistic that this critical work will be an overall benefit to businesses and residents in the downtown. Thank you for your patience as the City wraps up work at King and Church.
