Following initial construction, underground conflicts that were not properly mapped have realigned the construction approach, causing the closure of the intersection to be closed earlier than initially planned. While half of the watermain will be replaced, the other half will instead be relined to extend its service life. The benefit to this approach is that work should finish approximately a month sooner than anticipated, with completion in mid-August.
A lot of businesses, especially on Queen Street East, have reached out to my office with concerns about construction impacts, specifically around parking and loading spaces for deliveries. Working with Mayor Chow, I co-sponsored a motion that will seek to both improve travel times during this construction disruption, but also review opportunities for further parking changes.
The initial plan had been for the TTC to implement a "no standing" restriction along Queen Street East to accommodate the quadrupling of streetcars, which was causing some stress for businesses who were finding it difficult to operate under. The TTC, to their credit, quickly agreed to restore parking between 11am and 2pm to help accommodate some of this activity, while still allowing Queen Street to function as a major arterial road during peak periods. I am encouraging the TTC and Transportation Services to review other relief for businesses so we can all get through this temporary work.
The 504C King and 504D/304D King replacement buses will divert around the closure. Eastbound buses will reroute from King Street West via Yonge Street, Front Street East, and Jarvis Street to resume their route on King Street East. Westbound buses will divert using Jarvis Street, Front Street East, Wellington Street East, and Yonge Street to reach King Street West.
503/303 Kingston Rd, 508 Lake Shore streetcars and 304 King (Night) streetcars will operate via Queen Street between Broadview Avenue and Spadina Avenue, via Church Street, Adelaide Street/Richmond Street, and York Street. 504 King streetcars continue to operate via Queen Street between Broadview Avenue and Shaw Street, via Church Street, Adelaide Street/Richmond Street, and York Street.
Wheel-Trans services remain accessible in permitted local traffic areas. For further details or assistance, contact Michael Vieira, Senior Community Liaison, at 437-551-4609 or visit toronto.ca/kingchurch or ttc.ca/kingchurch.
