Streetcar at Kingston and Scarborough Roads
The TTC has weighed in with its summer construction plans and many Birch Cliff residents are in for a shock.
In addition to the road and watermain construction now underway on Kingston Road between Birchmount and Victoria Park, in June the TTC will begin replacing the streetcar tracks from Victoria Park all the way to Queen Street.
The net effect is that Kingston Road will be one continuous construction zone from Birchmount all the way to Ashbridges Bay.
“The track needs to be replaced on Kingston Road,” said TTC spokesman Brad Ross. “It has reached the end of its useful life. Infrastructure like track and track beds needs to replaced every 20 or 25 years.”
Only one lane open
The construction will have a major impact on how Birch Cliff residents, and thousands of other east-end commuters, travel to and from the downtown core.
Ross confirmed that during the track replacement Kingston Road will be reduced to one lane from June 3rd until December 2013.
That’s not one lane in each direction — that’s one lane total.
According to Ross, traffic will only flow eastbound on Kingston Road from Queen to Victoria Park.
East end commuters who use Kingston Road to get downtown will have to find an alternate route, and traffic is likely to increase on side streets as motorists make their way to Gerrard or Queen.
Councillor Crawford “not pleased”
Ward 36 Councillor Gary Crawford said he knew about the project generally, but only learned the timing and the details during a meeting with TTC officials yesterday.
The TTC briefing came just two days after Crawford and Mayor Rob Ford held a news conference on Kingston Road to announce construction projects for the City and help raise awareness about the construction that’s already underway in Birch Cliff.
Crawford, who is known for his reserve, chastised the TTC on Twitter this morning.
In an interview, Crawford said he needed more notice of another major disruption to Kingston Road so that he could properly inform the community, which is already struggling with construction now.
“I was not pleased with my meeting with the TTC. I was pissed. I don’t know if you want to quote me on that or not. You can say I was totally caught off guard with this announcement by the TTC. I don’t like being caught off guard like that,” said Crawford.
The TTC’s Brad Ross responded saying, “We met with him yesterday and accept his criticism about notification and we’ll be working more closely with him in making sure we get him the information he needs sooner.
TTC buses to run on Blantyre
The replacement of the streetcar tracks will also have a major impact on commuters who rely on the TTC.
Ross said beginning June 3rd, operation of the Kingston 502 and 503 streetcars will be suspended.
The service will be replaced by the 22 Coxwell bus, which will run along Kingston Road and south on Blantyre Avenue, a residential street, to Queen.
Ross said the TTC is “very much aware” that residents of Blantyre will have concerns and promises to make sure the TTC “acts as good neighbours”.
“We’re very very cognizant that they are residential streets so noise won’t be an issue overnight. Our operators must adhere to speed limits. If there are schools in the neighbourhood we’ve agreed to supply crossing guards to ensure the safety of residents,” said Ross.
Blantyre residents may quibble about the definition of “overnight”.
At the TTC briefing, Crawford was given a schedule indicating that buses will run on Blantyre until 1:37am Monday to Friday and until 1:47am on weekends.
In addition, service on the 92 Woodbine and 64 Main will be increased.
“There are many options that people will have, unfortunately, it’s going to be diverted in different ways. We’ll still have service available to people it just won’t be what it is today,” said Ross.
Councillor Crawford said he’ll be making a request for temporary crossing guards to help keep students of Courcelette Public School safe in light of the bus service on Blantyre and anticipated higher levels of traffic.
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We’re curious to know your reaction to double the construction on Kingston Road. Feel free to scroll down and leave a comment. You can also check out our map showing the extent of the construction.
Kingston Road Construction Map
View Kingston Road Construction Map in a larger map
I assume they will remove, or ignore, the “no turns during rush hour” signs north and south of Kingston Rd so people can actually move around the streets that are open. Who do we push on to make that happen?
That’s a really good suggestion Penny. This is all just unfolding and I hope Councillor Crawford’s office reads this and makes it happen.
I emailed Gary Crawford as well. Nice breaking story BCN!
Wow! Was there any consideration given to the idea that the one way only section of Kingston road could reverse depending on the of day – so westbound in the morning and eastbound in the afternoon? Any tax relief options for all the businesses on Kingston Rd?
More interesting thoughts!
Situations like this highlight Scarborough dependence on cars. Decades of neglect of public transit have helped create this chaos.
Instead of vilifying TTC we should be making every effort to encourage improved service which includes maintenance. My fear is for the businesses on Kingston Road. We are fortunate to have a number of great shops between Victoria Park and Main. I hope the community continues to walk thru the construction and show support for local shops. Sidewalks should be required to remain clear of construction materials and every effort made to facilitate pedestrian traffic.
Its going to be another dusty ,noisy summer of construction lets remember to drive carefully (slowly) thru residential streets, walk instead of drive when possible and have a sense of humour.
Ok so what about crossing guards for Blantyre Public School? You know especially since the buses will running along Blantyre Ave.
Oh but wait a minute, the crossing guards will only be required for June, as schools usually out at the end of month and doesn’t resume unitl September at which time you’ll need them back again. Right?
Oh and just warning to ALL the drivers who speed across Parkland Road, and DO NOT do a PROPER STOP at Parkland Road and Blantyre Ave interseciton with the 3 ALL-WAY STOP signs, the BIG FLASHING RED LIGHT ABOVE YOUR HEADS and not to mention the RAISED INTERSECTION you all know who you are…SLOW DOWN BEFORE YOU INJURE OR KILL SOME ONE. I am going to write to Mr. Crawford to see if I can have the speed limit REDUCED on Parkland Road! Mr. Crawford I hope you’re reading this!