Spadina Avenue will get a dedicated bus lane starting Monday, after city council voted unanimously this week to approve the measure in a bid to tackle congestion.
The city says the lane, which will run southbound between Richmond Street W. and Lake Shore Boulevard W., will be installed overnight Sunday.
The implementation of the dedicated bus lane is part of a broader effort to mitigate the effects of the temporary closure of the 510 Spadina streetcar line, which is undergoing essential track repairs and modernization of the overhead power lines.
“I know firsthand that this construction has had a big impact on neighbours and workers and businesses and on all road users,” local councillor Ausma Malik, who introduced the motion, said Thursday during a council meeting.
“I’m hopeful that this will help ease the traffic flow and traffic times.”
The city says the bus lane is expected to be in place until January 2025, at which point streetcars are expected to be operational again.
Two southbound traffic lanes for general traffic will be maintained to minimize disruptions for other road users, according to the city.
TTC spokesperson Stuart Green recently said the priority bus lane would be “hugely beneficial” for the TTC and its users, whose travel times have tripled since the switch to buses.
TTC riders who travel along Spadina Avenue will have to board a bus instead of a streetcar from June 23 to December. The transit agency has announced that 510 Spadina streetcars will be replaced by buses to allow for needed track work and electrical upgrades. Chris Glover has the details.
In order to install the dedicated bus lane, on-street parking, as well as a taxi stand on the west side of Spadina Avenue, will be temporarily removed.
Malik has emphasized the necessity of this measure.
“Seeing bus after bus backed up on Spadina in peak hours and traffic at a standstill is not acceptable,” she said.