Major Construction Setback Leads to Unexpected Full Closure of Downtown Intersection One Month Early
Downtown Toronto faces major traffic disruptions as King and Church Streets close early for watermain upgrades, impacting 100,000 daily transit users until mid-August.
Major traffic disruptions are set to hit the downtown core as the intersection of King Street East and Church Street will fully close to all vehicles beginning June 2. The closure, which was initially expected later this summer, is being implemented at least one month ahead of schedule following unexpected complications during the replacement of a 142-year-old watermain beneath the intersection.
The original construction plan allowed for one lane of traffic in each direction to remain open through July while crews worked on upgrading both the critical water infrastructure and the TTC’s aging streetcar tracks. However, unforeseen underground utility conflicts discovered on the south side of King Street have forced city officials and contractors to accelerate the timeline and amend their approach, resulting in a complete closure starting much sooner than anticipated.
City officials explained that instead of replacing the entire stretch of century-old pipe as planned, a section of the watermain will now be relined—a technique used to extend its operational lifespan without a full dig-and-replace effort. “To avoid delays to the project schedule, crews will complete watermain work and advance streetcar track replacement at the same time,” the City stated in an updated release.
This significant change means that transit riders and drivers alike will need to navigate around the closure for the duration of the project. The TTC announced that its 504C and 504D/304D King replacement bus routes will be detoured around the intersection, rerouting via Jarvis Street, Front Street, Wellington Street, and Yonge Street. Adjustments to several key streetcar lines, including existing diversions for the 503/303 Kingston Road and 504/304 King streetcars, will also remain in effect. Notably, the 504 streetcar will divert in both directions via Shaw Street, while the 503 will continue to use Spadina and Queen Street, running west to the Dufferin Loop.
This closure and rerouting are projected to impact approximately 100,000 daily streetcar users. Commuters should brace for longer travel times—with TTC estimating delays of up to five to ten minutes depending on the route and destination. The intersection is expected to fully reopen by mid-August, assuming no further complications arise.
Officials are urging downtown travelers to plan ahead, consider alternative routes, and budget extra time for commutes until the vital infrastructure upgrades are completed and the intersection reopens to traffic.
