TTC diverting routes along King Street as TIFF officially kicks off in Toronto

With TIFF kicking off, King Street is closed between Spadina and University to make way for ‘festival street.’ Courtney Heels reports.

A stretch of King Street in Toronto’s downtown core will be shut down once again this year to accommodate events for the Toronto International Film Festival, which officially kicks off on Thursday.

King Street will be closed between Spadina and University avenues from Sept. 4 until Sept. 8, resulting in diversions of both the 504/304 King streetcar route and the 508 Lake Shore route.

Eastbound streetcars along King Street will head north on Spadina Avenue, east on Queen Street West, south on York Street, east on Adelaide Street, and south on Church Street, before returning to King Street for regular routing.

Streetcars heading westbound will turn north on York Street, west on Queen Street West, south on Spadina Avenue, and back on to King Street.

The 503 Kingston Road replacement buses will turn north on University Avenue, west on Richmond Street West, south on Spadina Avenue, and then back to the regular route on King Street.

Eastbound buses will head north on Spadina Avenue, east on Adelaide Street West, and south on University Avenue before returning to the usual route.

504B streetcars will operate between Broadview Station and Church Street.

“Throughout TIFF, the TTC will have identifiable staff positioned at key locations to assist customers and provide information about transit options,” the TTC said in a statement.

While regular service resumes at 5 a.m. on Monday, red carpet events on King Street could still lead to delays during certain periods of time from Sept. 10 to Sept. 13, the TTC said.

“The TTC thanks customers for their patience during TIFF, an event that benefits Toronto’s economy and international reputation as a world-class city,” the statement continued.