The TTC will restore streetcar service on King Street West between Shaw and Dufferin streets starting on Sunday, the transit agency says.
In a news release on Tuesday, the TTC said the 504 King service is coming back ahead of schedule because crews have finished replacing old streetcar tracks on that stretch of King Street West and testing new ones. The TTC said the track renewal work also involved the replacement of a watermain by the city.
The project was originally expected to finish in December.
The TTC said the return of regular service means other bus and other streetcar diversions in the west end — implemented in February due to construction — will come to end, and those buses and streetcars will return to their regular routes on Sunday.
The TTC added that the service changes mainly affected customers who take the 504 King through Liberty Village.
Mayor Olivia Chow, Coun. Jamaal Myers and Coun. Ausma Malik said in the release that they are thrilled that the service will be restored early.
“I know how inconvenient these diversions have been for riders, so it’s fantastic to hear that things are getting back to normal next week and much earlier than expected,” Chow said.
Myers thanked the crews, engineers, staff, residents and businesses along King Street West for their patience and understanding during construction.
“Restoring streetcar service early will benefit thousands of TTC riders who rely on this route daily,” Myers said.
Malik said the announcement is good news. “The reopening of King Street West ten weeks early and the return of TTC service weeks ahead of schedule is welcome news for residents of Liberty Village, and everyone getting to where they need to go across our downtown neighbourhoods,” Malik said.
Starting Sunday, Oct. 6:
- 501 Queen will return to its regular route to Humber Loop via Queen Street, with a late evening and 301 Queen Night service to Long Branch Loop.
- 504 King and 304 King Night will resume a through-service along King Street. 303 Kingston Road night streetcars will also operate via King Street
- 508 Lake Shore weekday rush hour service will operate between Long Branch Loop and Broadview Station via King Street.
- 63 Ossington buses will return to their regular routes via Atlantic Avenue.