TTC signal work closes part of Line 1 this weekend
This weekend, Jan. 21-22, TTC crews will continue installation and testing of the new Automatic Train Control (ATC) signal system, requiring Line 1 Yonge-University to close between St George and Downsview stations. When installation is complete in 2019, ATC will result in a more modern and reliable signal system that will allow for a 25 per cent increase in the number of trains operating on Line 1.
Because of on-street construction around Eglinton West, St Clair West and Dupont stations, shuttle buses will run between Downsview and Lawrence West stations only. To supplement shuttle service and move customers more efficiently to the Yonge St. side of Line 1, the TTC is doubling service on nine east-west bus and streetcar routes in the closure area.
Surface routes with extra service are:
- 7 Bathurst
- 14 Glencairn
- 32 Eglinton West
- 52 Lawrence West
- 84 Sheppard West
- 96 Wilson
- 109 Ranee
- 127 Davenport
- 512 St Clair streetcar
To provide better bus service, parking will be restricted on Lawrence Ave. W. between Lawrence West and Lawrence stations, on Eglinton Ave. W. between Eglinton West Station and Spadina Rd., and on Bathurst St. between Bloor St. and Barton Ave.
Extra subway service will be in place on Line 1 for the duration of the closure and on Line 2 between 3 p.m. and 11 p.m. to accommodate fans heading to and from the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors games.
Wheel-Trans buses will operate from Downsview, Lawrence West and St George stations for customers requiring an accessible connection. Customers can speak with TTC staff at these stations to request the service.
Dupont and Glencairn stations will be closed. All other stations will be open for fare sales and access to surface vehicles.
During the closure, crews will perform essential train testing of the new ATC system between Spadina and Wilson stations, as well as construction work at Downsview Station in preparation for the opening of the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension (TYSSE).
This is the first of 11 closures on this portion of Line 1 in 2017 as the TTC modernizes its train operations. There will be a total of 35 subway closures this year, compared to 36 last year.
While the TTC does much of its subway maintenance work at the conclusion of service each night, it continues to require weekend closures to complete ATC and state-of-good-repair work, like replacing track and maintaining switches. One weekend of work during a closure is equivalent to about five weeks of nightly work.
Regular subway service resumes Monday at 6 a.m. The next scheduled subway closures are:
- Feb. 25/26 - Line 1 Yonge-University: St George to Downsview for ATC work
- Mar. 4/5 – all of Line 4 Sheppard for track and switch work
- Mar. 18/19 –Line 2 Bloor-Danforth: Kennedy to Warden for track and switch work