News   Aug 23, 2024
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News   Aug 23, 2024
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TTC: Streetcar Network

What is that history?
The Toronto Harbour Commission built tracks along Queens Quay from the CPR’s freight yard north of Fleet Street (around Fort York) to CN’s Don Yard just west of the Don River. CN didnt want the TTC to operate streetcars between Fleet St and the Portland area so they deliberately installed trackage in way such that the TTC wouldnt be able to operate in.

Good history piece here:

And here:
 
The Toronto Harbour Commission built tracks along Queens Quay from the CPR’s freight yard north of Fleet Street (around Fort York) to CN’s Don Yard just west of the Don River. CN didnt want the TTC to operate streetcars between Fleet St and the Portland area so they deliberately installed trackage in way such that the TTC wouldnt be able to operate in.

Good history piece here:

And here:
Thank you for that. I knew Toronto was a working port, but I never envisioned so much railway infrastructure along the shore.
 
Thank you for that. I knew Toronto was a working port, but I never envisioned so much railway infrastructure along the shore.
There used to be a ramp from GO Bathurst North yard area that went up to Spadina Ave and crossover it and Front St to that triangle parking lot area where a yard was for picking up good from them or putting goods on them. I remember seeing tracks on QQ after service ended for their needs until they were removed to Redpath which know have been removed to Parliament.
 
There is
There used to be a ramp from GO Bathurst North yard area that went up to Spadina Ave and crossover it and Front St to that triangle parking lot area where a yard was for picking up good from them or putting goods on them. I remember seeing tracks on QQ after service ended for their needs until they were removed to Redpath which know have been removed to Parliament.
Thee is a huge amount on the old freight branch lines at https://urbantoronto.ca/forum/threads/maps-of-torontos-old-rail-lines.25310/
 
July 19
The contractor that some hate doing various project should wrap up their work on King St from Dufferin to Shaw by the end of the month. Depending on when work will move from Shaw to Strachan, it will be done before the September date.

The only work for trackwork is waiting for TTC to install the westbound rails for the King underpass. Eastbound rails waiting for concrete to be pour. Some road rebuilt at Sudbury is waiting concrete pouring. A strip beside the tracks have been mill the full route and waiting to be pave, but the city needs to look at repaving both lanes 100% as a lot of areas in rough shape.

TTC has started to place new brackets on the support wire that will support a new style of hanger with the current line been moved to the road area. TTC is building the new Dufferin intersection on top of the old one and not finished yet. Fail to look Shaw intersection to see if any work has started on the overhead and expect not since the 504 is detouring by Shaw in the first place.

More up on my site in 4 locations for the day.
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Upgrades to TTC streetcar power system on Queens Quay and Fleet Street start Sept. 3

August 23, 2024

Starting Sept. 3, the TTC will begin modernizing the streetcar power network on Queens Quay and Fleet St. Spanning almost three kilometres between the Harbourfront Tunnel and Strachan Ave., the project will involve the replacement and reconfiguration of overhead wires, as well as upgrades to the underground power systems along the corridor.

The approximately four-month project will be completed in stages, involving changes to streetcar service and the use of bus replacements. As part of the plan, harbourfront streetcars will be restored for Taylor Swift concert dates in November, with increased service on multiple routes to accommodate an influx of visitors to Toronto.

When complete early next year, streetcars along Queens Quay and Fleet St. will use an optimized and improved pantograph overhead contact system that is fully compatible with the TTC’s modern and growing fleet, enhancing the reliability of service along the waterfront. This work is part of a larger power upgrade program that included work on Spadina and St. Clair avenues this year.

“As a city, we are investing over $200 million to expand the TTC’s fleet of fully accessible low-floor streetcars,” said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. “The work being done along Queens Quay and Fleet Street is integral to ensuring that the right infrastructure is in place to run these streetcars, and to deliver a safe and reliable TTC service for many years to come.”

“While there will be some short-term adjustments for riders who use the Queens Quay streetcar, the modernization work is essential for ensuring a more reliable and efficient service,” said TTC Chair Jamaal Myers. “As we expand the TTC’s fleet of new, low-floor streetcars to meet the needs of a growing ridership, these upgrades are crucial for maintaining a high level of service along the waterfront.”

“Thanks to the configuration of the Queens Quay streetcar right-of-way, eastbound replacement buses on part of the route can operate there, maintaining more consistent travel times,” said TTC CEO Rick Leary. “I want to acknowledge and thank the hardworking TTC crews and engineers who will be working day and night to ensure this project is completed quickly and with minimal disruption. We certainly appreciate the understanding and patience of our customers during this period of necessary upgrades.”

The first stage of the work, between the Harbourfront Tunnel and Spadina Ave. will start on Tues., Sep. 3 until early October. During this time buses will replace 509 Harbourfront streetcars between Union Station and Exhibition Place. Eastbound buses will operate within the Queens Quay streetcar right-of-way from Spadina Ave. to York St., while westbound buses will serve curbside stops. At Union Station, customers will take the 509 Harbourfront replacement buses at street stops located on Bay St. at Front St.

The second stage of work will commence in early October. This stage will focus on completing the upgrades between Spadina Ave. and Bathurst St. During this period, 509 Harbourfront streetcar service will be restored between Union Station and Spadina Ave. A modified branch of 510 Spadina replacement buses will be extended west, and serve stops between Spadina Ave. and Exhibition Place.

Beginning in November through early 2025, a third stage of work will complete overhead work west of Bathurst St. along Fleet Street. During this phase of work, 509 Harbourfront streetcar service will continue to operate between Union Station and Spadina Ave., and 511 Bathurst streetcars will be extended to run along Queens Quay to Union Station.

A project page with information and updates is available at https://www.ttc.ca/about-the-ttc/projects-and-plans/Queens-Quay---overhead-upgrades
 
This is just getting comical at this point. So pretty much transit south of King street between Strachan and Yonge will be completely useless until 2025. Then combine the already disaster traffic in the area, absolute fantastic stuff here.
 
You are optimistic. Transit won’t be fixed by 2025. The traffic on Lakeshore seems to be a permanent mess now.
 

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