The Toronto Police Service (TPS) has closed the intersection of King Street and Spadina Avenue after a GFL garbage truck hit TTC streetcar wires in the area.
The incident occurred shortly after 8 a.m. on Monday and left some of the live wires hanging in the roadway.
Looks like the GFL truck just ran through King and Spadina with its bin up. That will be one hell of a bill.
— Paul Kulig (@paulkuligto.bsky.social) 17 December 2024 at 09:00
[image or embed]
Police said the streetcar wires were damaged, though no one was injured in the collision.
In a statement to TorontoToday, TPS spokesperson Shannon Eames said damage to the wires is “extensive.”
She could not say how long the King and Spadina intersection will be blocked off, but said Torontonians can expect the crossing to be “closed for an extended period of time.”
HAZARD:
— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) December 17, 2024
King St & Spadina Ave
8:13am
- garbage truck struck TTC street car wires
- wires are damaged
- live wires are down
- no injuries
- intersection is closed
- use alternate routes#GO2721402
^se
Eames could not provide information about how the damage occurred.
A TTC spokesperson told TorontoToday it appeared “the GFL truck bin hit the wires.” Further details were unavailable.
The wire damage has caused a headache for commuters using the TTC today.
At least six streetcar routes have been detoured as a result of the downed wires. This includes the 511 Bathurst streetcar, 508 Lakeshore streetcar, 504 King streetcar, 501 Queen streetcar, and the 510 and 510C Spadina streetcars.
Buses are supplementing service where possible.
The TTC could not provide an estimated time on when wire repair would be completed and regular service would resume.
511 Bathurst: Detour southbound via Bathurst St, Queen St E and Mccaul St due to a downed wire. https://t.co/FmhmUpwpRz
— TTC Service Alerts (@TTCnotices) December 17, 2024
In a news release, TTC officials said clean-up and repair efforts are already underway at the King and Spadina intersection.
"Once the site is cleared of all down wires and is deemed safe, TTC engineers will begin repairing 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.
Motorists have been asked to drive alternative routes, avoiding the King and Spadina intersection.
______
This story was updated with more information after the original time of publishing.
