The recently rebuilt Spadina turning loop was opened on August 31 allowing the 510 Spadina streetcar to return to Queens Quay. Now, after a lengthy period of construction, the TTC's 509 Harbourfront streetcar will resume service from Union Station along Queens Quay to Exhibition Station this Sunday, October 12, officially marking the completion of TTC-related construction activities on Queens Quay.

New streetcar being tested on Queens Quay, image courtesy of Waterfront Toronto

The newly rebuilt right of way replaces the old trackbed, which was at the end of its lifespan as the start of construction began. The upgraded right of way now includes underground chambers for the streetcar’s electrical needs as well as new cantilevered poles for overhead wiring. Queens Quay's streetcar platforms have been widened to meet new accessibility requirements and include new passenger amenities such as ticket vending machines.

Streetcar right of way on Queens Quay, image courtesy of Waterfront Toronto

Aside from the construction of TTC infrastructure, the Queens Quay revitalization project is completely rebuilding Toronto’s main waterfront street both above and below ground, from Lower Spadina Avenue to Bay Street,. “With more than a million pieces of granite already in place and the streetcars about to return, excitement is building for the new Queens Quay,” said John Campbell, President and CEO of Waterfront Toronto. “By next summer, when the transformation of Queens Quay is complete, Toronto will finally have the grand waterfront boulevard it deserves.”

Construction of the streetcar right of way on Queens Quay, image courtesy of Waterfront Toronto