Queens Quay changing to one-way operations

November 1, 2012, Toronto, ON— On November 5, traffic on Queens Quay will change to one-way westbound-only between Bay Street and Lower Spadina Avenue to enable revitalization of the street. Two travel lanes will be maintained as much as possible, and all north-south streets will remain open with eastbound traffic rerouted to Lake Shore Boulevard/Harbour Street. The one-way traffic operation will be in place throughout the first stage of street construction until Spring 2013.

TTC

The 509 Harbourfront route is being serviced by buses that will continue to operate westbound on Queens Quay through the construction area. Eastbound buses will be diverted via Lake Shore Boulevard/Harbour Street.

Westbound Service: Buses from Union (Bay/Front) to Exhibition loop will operate regular routing serving all westbound stops on Queens Quay (although stops may be moved slightly around the construction area.)

Eastbound Service: From Exhibition loop, buses will run east on Fleet St. and then divert south to Fort York and east to Lake Shore Blvd./Harbour St. serving stops at: Stadium Rd., Bathurst St., Dan Leckie Way, Lower Spadina Avenue, Simcoe Street, and Bay Street where buses will continue north to Union Station. Due to traffic operations on Lake Shore Boulevard, it is not possible to have a transit stop at Rees Street. Passengers in that area will be required to board the bus at either Lower Spadina Avenue or at Simcoe Street.

Detailed routing information is available from TTC and a transportation map for all modes of travel, including transit stops, is available on the Constructing Queens Quay webpage.

Cyclists

The detour bike route – an asphalt trail located in the boulevard area on the south side of Lake Shore Boulevard between Lower Spadina Avenue and York Street – will enable cyclists to bypass most of the construction area. Cyclists may use this route for either eastbound or westbound travel. While westbound cyclists may ride alongside vehicular traffic through the construction zone on Queens Quay, all cyclists are encouraged to use the detour route when possible. A transportation map which outlines the detour bike route is available on the Constructing Queens Quay webpage.

Pedestrians

Access will be maintained at all times on the north and south side of the street. When work is occurring on the sidewalk, safe passageways will be set-up to enable pedestrians to avoid construction.

The revitalization of Queens Quay is completely transforming Toronto’s main waterfront street both above and below ground. During the first stage of construction, several major utilities and municipal services are being upgraded and the TTC corridor is being rebuilt. During stage two, expected to begin in the summer of 2013, the new roadway and granite curbs and sidewalks on the north side will be built. By early 2014, stage three construction will move to the south side where the granite pedestrian promenade and new Martin Goodman Trail will be built.

When construction is complete in early 2015, Queens Quay will be a waterfront showpiece and a must-see Toronto destination. A generous granite pedestrian promenade and off-street Martin Goodman Trail will create much-needed public space by the lake. A new streetcar corridor and traffic lanes with improved turning lanes and signal timing will keep people moving. New granite sidewalks and landscaping improvements in front of storefronts will stimulate ground floor retail activity and urban vitality.