In September 2022, the City of Toronto and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) started work on a series of infrastructure upgrades on Adelaide Street. The work involves:
This project now includes the installation of new streetcar tracks and underground utility relocations on Adelaide Street, between York Street and Victoria Street. In March 2023, Toronto City Council authorized Engineering and Construction Services to undertake this additional work.
Streetcar track work on Adelaide Street, west of York Street is necessary to allow for TTC route diversions in the downtown core. During the construction of the Ontario Line, the eastbound 501 Queen streetcar will be diverted to Adelaide Street between York Street and Church Street.
The 501/301 Queen streetcars will begin using new streetcar tracks on Adelaide, Richmond and York streets, starting November 10, as part of a route change that will end the need for 501B/301B Queen replacement buses and improve service along this route.
The diversion eliminates the need for TTC replacement buses in the area while providing 501/301 Queen customers with an uninterrupted connection to both sides of Line 1 at Osgoode and Queen stations and across the downtown core.
Visit ttc.ca for full details on the service updates.
The City’s contractor will be making modifications to the concrete corner island at the northwest corner of Adelaide Street and York Street starting Monday, October 7 (weather dependent). To carry out the work, the cycle track and the north side eastbound lane on Adelaide Street will be closed west of York Street. One northbound travel lane on York Street will remain open through the intersection.
Signage will direct pedestrians traveling north-south on York Street around the work area.
Work is anticipated to be completed by Friday, October 11, pending weather conditions.
TTC crews are continuing to install the overhead wiring on Adelaide Street (east of Duncan Street towards Church Street) and York Street (from Richmond Street to Queen Street West).
As part of the ongoing overhead work, a new temporary TTC pole will be installed in front of 25 Adelaide Street East. This pole will be positioned in the south curb lane on Adelaide Street East to avoid conflicts with areaways (basements) beneath the sidewalk. While this will slightly narrow the south curb lane, it will still be wide enough for vehicles to pass through. Pavement markings and 18-inch barriers will be in place to alert drivers to the new pole’s location.
If you want more information about the TTC’s ongoing overhead work, please see the TTC website.
The new cycle track on the north side of Adelaide Street from York Street to Victoria Street has been installed and most of the protected eastbound left-turn phases for motor vehicles are now operational. The left-turn phases improve traffic flow for left-turning motor vehicle movements and eliminate potential conflicts between pedestrians and people cycling.
Line painting adjustments and activation of the only remaining cycling traffic signal at the York Street and Adelaide Street West intersection are still pending and are expected to be completed in the next few weeks.
Ongoing work to install underground Toronto Hydro cables (cable pulling) will continue until the end of the year. This work will require intermittent lane closures around the Toronto Hydro vaults. This work will occur during off-peak hours.
Adelaide Street from York Street to Victoria Street has been repaved and the new road markings have been painted.
During the week of May 27, the low barrier walls for the new cycle track on the north side of Adelaide Street from York Street to Victoria Street will be installed. The new cycling traffic signals are expected to be installed by mid-June.
Ongoing work to install underground Toronto Hydro cables (cable pulling) will continue until the end of the year. This work will require intermittent lane closures around the Toronto Hydro vaults. This work will occur during off-peak hours
From May 6 to May 10 (weather permitting), the City’s contractor will resurface sections of the road on Adelaide Street. The first section will be between John Street and Simcoe Street. The second section will be between Sheppard Street and Bay Street. The third section will be between Yonge Street and Victoria Street.
Adelaide Street will be reduced to one eastbound vehicle lane during this work. Cyclists will be required to share the vehicle lane. Access to driveways and laneways will be maintained.
Work on the remaining road resurfacing, sidewalk restoration and cycle track relocation on Adelaide Street from York Street to Victoria Street will continue into late May.
Starting the week of April 8, the two remaining sections of streetcar track installation will resume on Adelaide Street. The first section will be between Yonge Street and Victoria Street. The second section will be between Sheppard Street and Bay Street. The contractor will excavate the road, pour a new concrete foundation and install the streetcar tracks. Adelaide Street will be reduced to one eastbound vehicle lane during this work.
Work on the streetcar track installation is expected to be completed by April 19.
The City held a virtual Public Information Event on Thursday, July 21, 2022 to provide details on the planned construction on Adelaide Street, and an opportunity for the public to ask questions.
Presentation – July 21, 2022
Watermain Replacement
Cycle track relocation
Utility relocation
Road Resurfacing
Streetcar Track Reinstatement
While we aim to provide fully accessible content, there is no text alternative available for some of the content on this site. If you require alternate formats or need assistance understanding our maps, drawings, or any other content, please contact us at 416-392-2896 or AdelaideConstruction@toronto.ca
Work Hours: Work will take place from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday to Friday, with work after hours and on weekends as required.
Noise: Concrete breaking work is the noisiest part of construction. It typically lasts the first one or two days for each section of the roadway.
Deliveries: The City has been working with businesses and property management representatives to accommodate delivery and loading activities during construction. If you have not yet discussed your delivery needs with the project team, please contact the staff person listed on this web page as soon as possible.
Accessible Accommodation: The City’s contractor must ensure safe and accessible walkways and entryways are maintained for everyone during construction. Any temporary access disruptions will be communicated as soon as possible. If you experience a disruption, have a specific access need or related accommodation request, inform the contact listed on this web page.
If travelling through the area, please be aware of:
To avoid delays and traffic congestion, travelers NOT destined for this area are advised to use nearby streets and avoid travel on Adelaide Street altogether.
Metrolinx is working 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.
Metrolinx crews will be 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.
In addition to streetcar track installation, Metrolinx will be building a contra-flow bike lane on York Street from Richmond Street to King Street West. York Street from Queen Street to Richmond Street will have sharrow markings installed to maintain the underground parking lot of the Canadian Opera Company and the National Ballet of Canada building.
Metrolinx will be completing the streetcar track installation on York Street from Queen Street West to Adelaide Street West. The City of Toronto will be completing the streetcar track installation on Adelaide Street from York Street to Victoria Street.
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