Crash causes ‘extensive’ damage to Toronto streetcar system

Article content

Road closures and altered TTC routes could be in effect for the rest of the week after a garbage truck hit an overhead streetcar power system in the downtown area during the Tuesday morning rush hour.

Article content

Article content

Article content

The TTC said it was “working around the clock” and “diverting all available resources” to repair damage to the system at King St. W. and Spadina Ave., adding that it could take until the end of the week to complete.

“The power network, including electrical supply wires and contact systems, was damaged after it was hit by a garbage truck during this morning’s rush hour,” the TTC said in a news release, adding they will “maintain a 24-hour operation until the repairs are complete and streetcar service is restored.”

Video on social media shows a green GFL garbage truck tangled in wires with a bin hoisted above it at the downtown intersection. What appears to be a TTC crew is also recorded dealing with the aftermath, including untangling wires.

Article content

Article content

Article content

Toronto Police said no one was injured as a result of the crash, which happened at about 8 a.m.

Article content

TTC spokesperson Stuart Green said in an email to the Toronto Sun that the garbage truck had its bin up before the crash. He could not provide an estimate for how much the repairs will cost.

A spokesperson told the Toronto Sun the garbage truck was not under contract with the City of Toronto. No one was available to respond to calls at the GFL Toronto facility on Tuesday evening.

In an update posted on social media on Tuesday afternoon, the TTC said the damage to the system was “extensive” and the intersection would need to be closed so crews could complete repairs as “safely, quickly and thoroughly as possible.”

Article content

The TTC said they will also need to test and commission the area after the repairs are made to “ensure it’s safe for service.

“Engineers are currently assessing infrastructure including power poles to ensure their integrity and crews are working to repair salvageable wires, installing and configuring new wires and ensuring breakers and other power systems are operational before testing the system for safe operations,” the TTC said.

“The transit agency expects repairs to take until the end of the week to complete. Until then, some streetcar routes will be redirected.”

Road closures include Spadina between Front and Adelaide Sts. and King between Charlotte and Brant Sts., while the TTC said service disruptions are in place for “several routes” including 504 King, 508 Lake Shore and 510 Spadina.

“Buses are supplementing service where possible,” the TTC said. “Customers in the impacted (area) are advised to use Queen St. or Bathurst St. to access streetcar service. Wheel-Trans customers in areas without direct access to service can request door-to-door service as needed.”

RECOMMENDED VIDEO

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Play Video

Article content