501 Queen streetcar off the tracks for entire summer, TTC says

There won't be any streetcar service on the entire 501 Queenroute this summer.

TTC spokesperson Stuart Green said streetcars will be replaced with buses along the busy route due to a number of construction projects both the city and the TTC are undertaking.

Green citedongoing track work around Queen Street East and Coxwell Avenue,continued work west of Roncesvalles Avenue, and the upcoming replacement of the pedestrian walkway bridge to the south side of the Eaton Centre, which requires the removal of streetcar cables in the area.

"It made more sense to replace the streetcars with buses to give our customers a more seamless ride," Stuart said.

Themove has been met with mixed reactions online:

First-ever full closure of Queen streetcar line

It's the first time a full closure has ever happened on the 501 line, which stretches from the Neville Park loop in the eastend to theLong Branch loop in the west.

It'sthe city's third-busiest streetcar route, which carries more than 43,000 passengers a day.

Stuart said streetcars are expected to stay off the rails from May 7 until early September.