The St. Clair Avenue West Transit Improvements Project is a city building initiative through the City of Toronto and the TTC.  It includes the construction of a dedicated right-of-way for streetcars to improve transit frequency and reliability, road and sidewalk reconstruction and enhancing the urban design of the street. Some phases will include the installation of new watermain and watermain service connections. The project has four individual phases.

  • Phase 1: St. Clair Station at Yonge Street to Vaughan Road - Completed 2007
  • Phase 2: Westmount Avenue, near Dufferin Street to McRoberts Avenue, near Caledonia Road - Completed 2008
  • Phase 3: Vaughan Road to Westmount Avenue - under construction Fall 2008 to Fall 2009
  • Phase 4: McRoberts Avenue to Gunns Loop, near Keele Street - Start construction Spring 2009

The Streetcar Right-of-Way

The streetcar right-of-way will be constructed along the centre of St. Clair Avenue as a raised median with a 15 cm/6 inch high mountable curb separating streetcars on the right-of-way from the other vehicles on the road.  The streetcar tracks will be level with the roadway (with no curb) at all signalized intersections. There will be some mid-block locations where the streetcar tracks will be level with the roadway but will have a 15 cm/6 inch high curb. Streetcar stops will be located only at signalized intersections. Signalized intersections will have a minimum of one left-turn lane and/or U-turn provision available to motorists.

Watermain

A new upgraded watermain with new service connections to properties on St. Clair Avenue West is included in Phase 3 and Phase 4.

Hydro Work

Overhead wires have been buried underground in Phase 2, Phase 3 and Phase 4.

Sidewalks

Where sidewalks are to be reconstructed, the work will be undertaken in a fashion to ensure that safe and continued access for pedestrians and access to businesses is maintained.

Vehicle, Parking and Pedestrian Restrictions 

One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction on St. Clair Avenue West through the construction zones. No on-street parking will be available in the work zones until track reconstruction and passenger platform reconstruction is completed. Notification signs will be posted about temporary parking changes. Limited parking may be made available at certain locations provided it does not impede with construction. Barriers will be placed around excavated areas to protect pedestrians.

Work Hours

Streetcar track construction is a 24-hour operation to complete work as quickly as possible. Generally, all heavy construction will take place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday to Friday. Weekend work will take place when required. Overnight work is needed to support construction during the day. Work includes delivery of rail, rail installation, welding and grinding. Every effort will be made to minimize construction noise during the 24-hour work periods.

Intersection Construction

During construction at intersections, temporary lane restrictions/closures and turning restrictions will be put into place to accommodate work activities that include; watermain work, track reconstruction, traffic signal work, sidewalk and crosswalk work. When work occurs at non-signalized intersections northbound and southbound traffic will also be limited to right turns only, to and from St. Clair Avenue West.  Advance notice will be given prior to the track work beginning at the signalized intersections and will be posted to the project website:  www.toronto.ca/involved (Select, St. Clair Avenue West Transit Improvement Project)

Plantings

Tree planting and landscaping on sidewalks and streetcar platforms will be done during the planting season after construction is completed in each phase.

Interpretive Plaque Project

New shelters along the 512 St Clair streetcar route from Yonge Street to Gunns Road have been designed with space for an interpretive community plaque. The purpose of these plaques is to express community identity, local history and other unique qualities. The aim of this project is to give voice to the people, places and events that have shaped the neighbourhoods of St Clair Avenue West.

Helping out local businesses 

The City and TTC are committed to working with local businesses and the community. Recognizing that construction is disruptive to the normal routine of business and life, we encourage you to contact us if you are having any issues that arise from construction activities. We will work with you to try and find a reasonable solution to your concerns. 

Recycling and Garbage Collection

Recycling and garbage collection schedules on St. Clair Avenue West will not change during the construction periods. Follow your normal routine. Please label your bins with your address and place them as close to the usual location as possible. If necessary during construction, your bins may be temporarily moved by the contractor but they will be returned to your usual location.

TTC Time Based Transfer Program

The Time Based Transfer pilot program will continue until the project has been completed. A Time Based Transfer allows you to travel for up to two hours on the 512 St. Clair route.  You can board a 512 St. Clair streetcar or bus at any stop, in any direction, until the expiry time shown.

Getting Around on the TTC during Construction

512/312 St. Clair Route: Bus and streetcar transit service will be provided on St. Clair Avenue West during construction.

During construction work at the major signalized intersections, bus services that cross St. Clair Avenue West at those intersections will be temporarily diverted.

Need more Information? 

  • City of Toronto
    More information and project updates:
    www.toronto.ca/involved (select St. Clair Avenue West Transit)
    Project Information Line: 416-338-2003
    E-mail: stclairtransit@toronto.ca

  • Toronto Transit Commission
    TTC schedules, multilingual services TTC Information Line: 416-393-INFO (4636)
    TTC Customer Service: 416-393-3030
    TTY: 416-481-2523
    Diego Sinagoga - TTC Construction related issues: 416-393-2197

City of Toronto on-site construction inspectors will be able to address immediate construction related concerns. Please approach a construction worker to help you identify the City inspector.