TTC rejects proposal to close Yonge subway for 2-month repair

The Toronto Transit Commission is abandoning talk of an extended shutdown of the Yonge subway between St. Clair and Eglinton stations next year.

It would take 250 new buses and 400 drivers to accommodate those riders on the surface, which simply isn’t feasible, says a memo from TTC CEO Andy Byford to the transit board.

The track bed in that stretch still needs repairing as its foundation and drainage systems are failing. Although the system is safe, the situation is threatening the reliability of the signal system and, therefore, the operation of the city’s busiest subway line.

Trains have been running more slowly through that area for some time.

But the TTC is now going to institute a track maintenance program that will allow those speed restrictions to be lifted in time for the Pan Am Games in 2015.

Riders will still be impacted, likely with some weekend subway closures, warned Byford.

But the TTC will do its best to minimize those by working on multiple projects, such as the new signal system, at the same time the track work takes place.

There will also be some service gaps at Eglinton station to allow for work on the Eglinton-Scarborough Crosstown LRT construction.

The track bed on the Yonge line is about 60 years old and should have been replaced 20 years ago, Byford said.

“Our engineers are working hard to devise a plan that will allow us to do this work with a minimal amount of disruption to TTC customers, city residents, businesses and motorists,” he said.

The TTC had been contemplating the possibility of creating rush hour bus lanes on Yonge St. to accommodate shuttle buses if the subway was closed next year for a prolonged period.