Toronto begins installing RapidTO lanes along Bathurst ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

The City and TTC are set to begin installing priority streetcar lanes along a 3.4 kilometre stretch of Bathurst St. CP24's Courtney Heels reports.

Toronto has officially began installing new priority streetcar lanes along Bathurst Street, marking the start of a transit overhaul aimed at speeding up service ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The red-painted transit lanes will stretch 3.4 kilometres from Bathurst Station to Lake Shore Boulevard West — a scaled-back outline of the city’s original plan that was first designed to reach Eglinton Avenue.

The City of Toronto says the project will speed up TTC service and cut delays for thousands of daily riders, but some residents and business owners fear it will worsen congestion and hurt local commerce.

Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know.

What’s exactly taking place?

The city says installation will include removing old markings, painting distinctive red lanes, and updating traffic signals.

No parking or standing will be allowed in active work zones starting each evening at 8 p.m.

Vehicles left on the street will be “friendly-towed” to nearby legal spots at no cost to the owner. If your car is towed, officials say to “call TPS at 416-808-2222 to find out where it was moved.”

Overnight work is scheduled between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m.

Why is this happening now?

Eariler this year, Toronto City Council approved the Bathurst and Dufferin RapidTO corridors as part of an $8-million investment to prepare the city’s transit network for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The dedicated lanes are designed to give streetcars and buses priority in during heavy traffic, reducing travel times, and improving reliability for riders on the 7 and 511 Bathurst routes.

According to the city, the new corridor should be fully operational by the end of 2025 ahead of the original spring 2026 deadline.

What’s changing from the original plan?

The Bathurst corridor was initially meant to run from Lake Shore all the way up to Eglinton Avenue West.

But after significant pushback from retailers in the area, City Council revised its plans.

Local business owners said removing curbside parking and loading space would hurt their operations and potentially drive customers away.

Staff now plan to “further consider” extending the priority lanes north of Bathurst Station at a future date.

How do residents feel?

Speaking with CP24 Wednesday moring, one commuter said:

“It’s just really bad. Because this is a very important street, it’s always very busy. So with one lane, it’s going to get worse, for sure.”

Added another.

“I feel like, especially when it comes to peak hours, (there’s) a lot of traffic already — and when they install that stuff, it’s going to be very, very busy, I’m telling you.”

Main points to know

• Overnight work begins Nov. 5, with completion expected by the end of 2025.
• 511 Bathurst streetcars will be replaced by buses nightly from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Regular service resumes at 5:30 a.m.
• All vehicles must be cleared from the work zone starting at 8 p.m. each night.
• Bathurst Station and TTC bus routes will remain open during the work.

Full details can be found on the City of Toronto website.

With files from CP24’s Bryann Aguilar.