Transit Toronto

Metrolinx continues building the Ontario Line subway between Exhibition Place / Ontario Place and the area near the former Ontario Science Centre, through downtown Toronto.

GO Transit trains along the 01 Lakeshore West line operate every 30 minutes this Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9 during Metrolinx construction for the future subway near Exhibition GO Station.

Saturday, August 8

• Trains operate every 30 minutes.
• The Niagara-bound train that usually starts in Union at 7:22 p.m. starts, instead, 14 minutes earlier at 7:08 p.m.
• The Toronto-bound train that usually starts in Niagara Falls VIA / GO Station at 10:10 p.m. won’t stop in Exhibition.

Sunday, August 9

• Trains operate every 30 minutes.
• The Niagara-bound train that usually starts in Union at 7:22 p.m. starts, instead, 14 minutes earlier at 7:08 p.m.
• The westbound train that usually leaves Exhibition at 12:16 a.m. leaves, instead, 20 minutes later at 12:36 a.m.

This weekend, crews are erecting the steel structure for the new concourse for the Ontario Line subway at the future Exhibition Station.

The City of Toronto is closing

• Dundas Street West between Runnymede and St. Johns roads

to accommodate contractors who are lifting a crane at a construction site.

The TTC is detouring buses along these routes, while the street is closed:

• 30 High Park North;
• 40 Junction - Dundas West; and
• 340 Junction overnight.

Crane activity on Dundas West and the resulting TTC detours continue until August 10 (4 a.m.)

Lots of Greek cuisine and other culinary treats, community festivals and farmers’ markets: special events in Brampton, Hamilton, the Humber Bay Shores and Malvern areas of Toronto, Milton, central Toronto and the Unionville area of Markham affect transit services this weekend — from Wednesday, August 5 until Sunday, August 9.

The TTC is advising passengers that, from 11 p.m. Thursday, August 6 until 4 a.m. Friday, August 7, it’s detouring streetcars along several routes “due to streetcar infrastructure work.” Specifically, it’s detouring cars along these routes around the work zone:

• 301 Queen overnight;
• 501 Queen; and
• 511 Bathurst.

Shuttle buses replace the cars:

• 301 / 501 Queen shuttle buses; and
• 511 Bathurst shuttle buses.

Starting Wednesday, August 6, the City of Toronto is closing:

• Markham Road between Ellesmere Road and Brimorton Drive

to accommodate contractors who are lifting a crane at a construction site.

The TTC is detouring buses along these routes, while the street is closed:

• 102 Markham Rd; and
• 902 Markham Rd express.

Crane activity on Markham Road and the resulting TTC detours continue until August 9.

VIA/Amtrak’s Toronto-Niagara Falls “Maple Leaf” run is typically a routine morning trip. However, back in January, the Oakville subdivision was closed due to work required to expand the Lakeshore West GO Train. This forced the Maple Leaf to detour onto the Weston subdivision via Brampton and Georgetown before moving onto CN’s Halton subdivision to get to Aldershot.

Riders may not have appreciated their train going out of its way that morning, but railfans didn’t mind. Indeed, Richard YS was on hand to film his ride to Niagara Falls while on tracks that don’t typically see passenger trains. So, be sure to check out some rare scenery filmed during one of the snowiest days in Toronto’s history.

The TTC is closing Line 1 Yonge - University subway between Lawrence West and St George stations earlier than usually Wednesday, August 5 until Friday, August 7. Line 1 subway trains operate only between Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and Lawrence West stations and between Finch and St George stations *after 1 a.m. * those mornings. Regular service resumes about 6 a.m.

Shuttle buses partially replace subway service. The buses drop off or pick up passengers at stops near each station on that part of the line. TTC staff are available in each station to direct you to the shuttle-bus boarding and offloading locations.

(Or, consider a shuttle-bus alternative.)

Most stations on this section of Line 1 remain open, so you can load PRESTO fare cards, buy PRESTO tickets and connect to TTC buses, streetcars and Line 2 Bloor - Danforth and Line 5 Eglinton trains. However, Glencairn and Dupont stations are closed. Note that the TTC is also closing the Heath Street West access to St Clair West Station and the Kendal Avenue access to Spadina Station after 1 a.m.

While this part of Line 1 is closed, TTC crews are maintaining the tracks.

According to a TTC news release, “While the TTC does most subway maintenance after service each night, it continues to require weekend and early weeknight closures to complete critical infrastructure and state-of-good-repair work.”

The TTC is opening Line 6 Finch West later than usually between Humber College and Finch West stations this Monday, August 1. No Line 6 light rail transit trains operate until 4 p.m.

Shuttle buses replace the trains, operating on Finch Avenue West between the bus terminals at the two stations.

Humber College Station and all other stops on Line 6 are closed to passengers. The Line 6 portion of Finch West Station is also closed, including the passenger tunnel connecting Lines 1 and 6.

While Line 6 is closed, Metrolinx contractors are upgrading signalling software.

The TTC, GO Transit and other transit agencies in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area are adjusting their schedules this Monday, August 3 — Emancipation Day.

Emancipation Day commemorates August 1, 1833 — the end of slavery in the British Empire.

^ Image: Toronto Caribbean Carnival

You can jump up, jump around, jump along or just jump at the Toronto Caribbean Carnival’s Grand Parade through Exhibition Place and along Lake Shore Boulevard West on the western waterfront this Saturday. But first, jump onto GO Transit or TTC!

Both GO and the TTC are adding extra service to get you to the parade and back home again. The TTC is also also detouring service around the parade or to avoid the crowds of people before, during and after the event.

The bands start the parade near BMO Field. They proceed through Exhibition Place and then westward along Lake Shore Boulevard West from British Columbia Drive. At Parkside Drive, paraders return eastward along Lake Shore West to Strachan Avenue, then proceed along Princes’ Boulevard through Exhibition Place.

The City of Toronto is closing:

• Lake Shore Boulevard West between Colborne Lodge Drive and Bathurst Street;
• Fort York Boulevard between Fleet Street and Lake Shore Boulevard West; and
• Strachan Avenue between Fleet Street / Manitoba Drive and Lake Shore Boulevard West

from 2 a.m. Saturday, August 1 until 8 a.m. Sunday, August 2 to accommodate the parade.

Exhibition Place is closing to traffic:

• British Columbia Road at Lake Shore Boulevard West;
• Ontario Drive at Lake Shore Boulevard West;
• Newfoundland Drive at Lake Shore Boulevard West;
• Princes’ Boulevard at Strachan Avenue;
• Manitoba Drive at Strachan Avenue; and
• Dufferin Street at Dufferin Gate

from 2 a.m. Saturday, August 1 until 8 a.m. Sunday, August 2 to accommodate the parade.

^ Image: Metrolinx

You can learn how other events affect transit services this weekend here.