Streetcar Tracks on Adelaide

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It's wholly a Metrolinx project. IIRC, to accelerate matters they hijacked an existing city tender for sewer reconstruction and repaving the road; Metrolinx had the city do a contract change and make it track instead.

The sewer rebuild didn't include the York section so it was tendered separately by Metrolinx.

Yes, the original plan was to have TTC do the track (after water/sewer work) on Adelaide west of York but have two separate contracts for the blocks between York and Victoria with, as you say, the City dealing with watermain/sewer work on Adelaide and then an ML contractor coming in to do the tracks. As it is very confusing to have two contactors working in same area, they then decided it would speed things up to have the City contractor also lay the tracks. This made perfect sense and seems to have worked quite well but, at that time, the smaller contract for track on York between Adelaide and Queen ought to have been moved to the City too. It wasn't and now we must wait to see if ML are actually ready to lay track. However, nothing would seem to stop the TTC from installing overhead on Adelaide as no streetcars will run until that (plus the York track) is done!

 

[drum118]

Yes, the original plan was to have TTC do the track (after water/sewer work) on Adelaide west of York but have two separate contracts for the blocks between York and Victoria with, as you say, the City dealing with watermain/sewer work on Adelaide and then an ML contractor coming in to do the tracks. As it is very confusing to have two contactors working in same area, they then decided it would speed things up to have the City contractor also lay the tracks. This made perfect sense and seems to have worked quite well but, at that time, the smaller contract for track on York between Adelaide and Queen ought to have been moved to the City too. It wasn't and now we must wait to see if ML are actually ready to lay track. However, nothing would seem to stop the TTC from installing overhead on Adelaide as no streetcars will run until that (plus the York track) is done!

Once the overhead is done on Adelaide including the York intersection, the 501 streetcars can use it from Spadina until the York track is ready. It will mean riders will have a 2 block walk to get to Queen going east for the streetcar riders,

The 501 streetcars can use Richmond as plan allowing riders a one-way trip on Queen until York is done.

TTC could run bus service from Church/Victoria to Bathurst to service eastbound Queen riders until York is done. The only problem with that plan is the lack of road space going south on York while trackwork is taking place unless the buses turn at University Ave.

 

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Once the overhead is done on Adelaide including the York intersection, the 501 streetcars can use it from Spadina until the York track is ready. It will mean riders will have a 2 block walk to get to Queen going east for the streetcar riders,

The 501 streetcars can use Richmond as plan allowing riders a one-way trip on Queen until York is done.

TTC could run bus service from Church/Victoria to Bathurst to service eastbound Queen riders until York is done. The only problem with that plan is the lack of road space going south on York while trackwork is taking place unless the buses turn at University Ave.

As of last weekend, York is very narrowed north of Richmond due to utility work - I doubt it is possible for streetcars to use it going north and I was surprised to see it is/was technically open for southbound traffic as all of the southbound lane was occupied. Naturally, the City's Road Restriction map says nothing about this, or many other, road closures!

 

[drum118]

As of last weekend, York is very narrowed north of Richmond due to utility work - I doubt it is possible for streetcars to use it going north and I was surprised to see it is/was technically open for southbound traffic as all of the southbound lane was occupied. Naturally, the City's Road Restriction map says nothing about this, or many other, road closures!

My last look at York/Queen, you could only go south to the parking garage. There is room for the streetcar, and it is tight. Fencing can be moved to free up some space for the streetcar.

 

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This is in the City Report to TEYCC. See: https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-242141.pdf

Queen Streetcar Detour

To minimize disruption to users of the 501 Queen Streetcar, Metrolinx, TTC, and City staff are working to restore streetcar tracks southbound on York Street (between Queen Street and Adelaide Street) and eastbound on Adelaide Street (between Charlotte Street and Victoria Street) (see Figure 2).The civil works, including utility and road works, are currently underway on York Street and Adelaide Street by City and Metrolinx contractors. Metrolinx contractors are undertaking work on York Street from Queen to Adelaide Street, while City contractors are undertaking work on Adelaide Street between York and Church Street.

The City’s contractors are expected to complete the civil works on Adelaide Street, including trackwork by TTC, in early 2024 after which the TTC will begin Overhead Contact System(OCS) work to complete the streetcar detour. The City’s contractors and the TTC continue to work towards completion of the streetcar detour by Summer 2024.

Completion and implementation of the streetcar detour is also contingent on completion of Metrolinx’s York Street works. Metrolinx estimates its work on York Street will be completed in late 2024 and have conveyed to the City that they are working with their contractor to expedite work to align with the City’s timelines.

 

[noggnogg]

Work on York and Richmond from today.

 

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On our walk today we saw that all the utility pit work on Adelaide is done and the holes and trenches are filled in. Several of the new utility vaults are still covered by metal plates but all seem clear of the streetcar track area so when it warms up a bit the TTC contractor can come to complete the track on Adelaide. It needs about 20 metres just west of Victoria and about 50 metres between Bay and Sheppard. Naturally no sign of TTC doing any overhead installation, though it looks like most of the (new) poles are there.

Utility work still continues on York between just south of Richmond to Queen and, once it is finished, Metrolinx is supposed to install the rest of the southbound track on York and the curve from eastbound Queen to southbound York. At TEYCC last week it was Reported: "Completion and implementation of the streetcar detour is also contingent on completion of Metrolinx’s York Street works. Metrolinx estimates its work on York Street will be completed in late 2024 and have conveyed to the City that they are working with their contractor to expedite work to align with the City’s timelines." TEYCC then passed this motion: " City Council direct the Executive Director, Transit Expansion to request Metrolinx to:

a. Accelerate the restoration of the southbound streetcar tracks on York Street, to match the current schedule of the City's advanced time frame for Adelaide Street construction;
See: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.TE10.40

 

[drum118]

On our walk today we saw that all the utility pit work on Adelaide is done and the holes and trenches are filled in. Several of the new utility vaults are still covered by metal plates but all seem clear of the streetcar track area so when it warms up a bit the TTC contractor can come to complete the track on Adelaide. It needs about 20 metres just west of Victoria and about 50 metres between Bay and Sheppard. Naturally no sign of TTC doing any overhead installation, though it looks like most of the (new) poles are there.

Utility work still continues on York between just south of Richmond to Queen and, once it is finished, Metrolinx is supposed to install the rest of the southbound track on York and the curve from eastbound Queen to southbound York. At TEYCC last week it was Reported: "Completion and implementation of the streetcar detour is also contingent on completion of Metrolinx’s York Street works. Metrolinx estimates its work on York Street will be completed in late 2024 and have conveyed to the City that they are working with their contractor to expedite work to align with the City’s timelines." TEYCC then passed this motion: " City Council direct the Executive Director, Transit Expansion to request Metrolinx to:

a. Accelerate the restoration of the southbound streetcar tracks on York Street, to match the current schedule of the City's advanced time frame for Adelaide Street construction;
See: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.TE10.40

The work on York is in the north middle lane now going north and will be some time before that is. The southside is stagging area..

Haven't looked at Victoria area, but plates on Adelaide by Sheppard. It was paved west of Bay to the plate area.

There be a motion made that ""TTC accelerate the insulation of the overhead so it is ready when switch(s) are install at Queen Street West so the Queen Street 501 can start using Richmond Street westbound, York Street southbound and eastbound on Adelaide Street eastbound"

 

[Transportfan]

Why would the temporary routing only go as far as York St? Should it go all the way to Spadina for construction at Osgoode station? Will that be done as a later phase?

 

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Why would the temporary routing only go as far as York St? Should it go all the way to Spadina for construction at Osgoode station? Will that be done as a later phase?

The new tracks on Adelaide do go to Spadina but there have never been tracks on Richmond west of York. The section on Adelaide from York to Spadina is for flexibility.

The Osgood construction will not, supposedly, affect the tracks on Queen @ University and streetcars will still go there and then up/down York.

 

[Transportfan]

Are they going to mine the Ontario Line station?

 

[DSC]

Are they going to mine the Ontario Line station?

Partially.

 

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More from ML on York St work, from an email today....

What is happening?

• Metrolinx continues to work with the TTC and the City of Toronto to build a permanent streetcar detour route along Adelaide and Richmond streets, connecting via York and Church streets. Once completed, the 501 Queen streetcar will keep riders moving during the construction of the Ontario Line.
• The detour route will create a permanent route the TTC can use during special events or when road works are required.
• Metrolinx crews are performing utility removals and relocations as well as other necessary roadway work such as track slab excavation, pouring of a track slab foundation, and conducting work on the traffic signals to support the installation of new streetcar tracks.

Lane closures and access

• The York Street project will be conducted in stages. Stage 1 work on the underground hydro chamber located on the south side of Richmond Street was completed in late December 2023.
• Crews are now working on the underground hydro chamber located on the north side of Richmond. This phase of work is expected to be completed by March 2024.
• This phase of work requires a temporary modification to the existing bike lanes on Richmond Street West (refer to map).
• One westbound traffic lane will remain open on Richmond Street at the intersection of York Street and Richmond Street.
• A paid duty officer will be on-site 24/7 to safely direct traffic.
• Local traffic will be permitted to make a left-hand turn onto York Street from Richmond Street to access parking and laneways.
• Pedestrian access, parking lots and driveway access in the area will be maintained, with occasional weekend and overnight driveway impacts. Metrolinx will coordinate with property owners in advance if their driveway or parking lot will be impacted to ensure adequate mitigation measures are in place, including having a member of the construction team present to assist traffic entering and leaving the driveways.
• Clear signage will be posted to caution and direct drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
• The commercial bus stop in front of the Sheraton Hotel has been moved from York Street to Queen Street.
• The lane closures identified in the map above will remain in place during weekdays, as well as weekends when no active construction work takes place.
• All necessary permits have been obtained.
• More information and updates on the additional phases of work, along with traffic impacts and mitigations, will be shared as the project advances.
• For more information about upcoming work please see Metrolinx.com/Ontarioline or sign up for the e-newsletter.

 

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I emailed MLX and asked why they cannot work longer hours, this is the reply

"I’ve spoken to the construction project managers and it looks like the team is currently working day and night to maintain schedule. At the moment, the shifts are 5 days a week, two 10-hour shifts per day for the crew members.
I hope this context helps – the project is “on track”!

 

[AHK]

January 30: The track work for Adelaide and York intersection looks close to, if not already complete. No overheads though. Going up from Adelaide though, the southbound track is still in the preliminary stages, with lots of preparation activities underway, but no track in place yet. First, the Adelaide intersection, and then from Queen Street heading south.

Just the original Queen and York intersection track in place

Looking north to Queen Street:

And South towards Richmond. The one track that is visible is the original northbound one:

And a couple approaching Adelaide: