The city is preparing for significant traffic and transit changes this weekend as the st patrick’s day parade toronto and its accompanying races prompt multiple road closures, subway work and service adjustments that will affect downtown travel.
St Patrick’s Day Parade Toronto: Route, schedule and race disruptions
The parade will begin at 12: 00 pm ET from Bloor Street West and St. George Street, proceed east along Bloor Street and then turn south on Yonge Street to finish near Sankofa Square at Dundas Street at about 2: 30 pm ET. The St. Patrick’s Day Race will start earlier: Bayview Avenue will be closed from Pottery Road to River Street and Rosedale Valley Road will be closed from Bayview Avenue to Park Road for the race, with closures in effect from 8: 00 am ET to 1: 00 pm ET. Race start times include a 1K Kids Race at 10: 00 am ET and the 5K and 10K at 10: 15 am ET.
Road closures and bus route impacts
Road closures tied to parade operations will be phased through the morning and afternoon. Some closures are scheduled from 9: 00 am ET to 12: 30 pm ET, and others from 12: 00 pm ET to 3: 30 pm ET. A broader closure window running from 8: 50 am ET to 3: 40 pm ET will affect bus service on several routes, including the 13 Avenue Road, 19 Bay, 94 Wellesley and 97 Yonge. The 506B Carlton route will be diverted between 11: 00 am ET and 4: 00 pm ET.
Subway service adjustments, weekend work and shuttle provisions
Planned signal work on Saturday will close Line 2 between St. George and Broadview stations; shuttle buses will serve each station along that stretch while Bay and Sherbourne stations will be closed. Regular subway service is scheduled to resume Sunday at 8: 00 am ET. For parade day, extra trains will run on Line 1 (Yonge–University) and Line 2 (Bloor–Danforth), and additional TTC staff will be present at key stations to assist customers. From Monday through Thursday next week, Line 1 service between St. Clair West and King stations will end at midnight for scheduled track work, with shuttle service and alternate arrangements in place for affected trips.
Other closures, construction and what travellers should expect
Cherry Street will be closed to vehicular traffic between Eastern Avenue and Front Street from 7: 00 pm ET on March 13 until 11: 59 pm ET on March 15 for tower crane construction. Drivers and transit users should also be aware of overnight closures and lane reductions on Lake Shore Boulevard for routine testing and sewage work in the coming week. Anyone planning to travel downtown during the parade and race should expect diversions, temporary intersections closures and added crowding on transit and allow extra time.
Officials emphasize that the parade and race will combine to concentrate road restrictions and higher passenger volumes in the downtown core for much of the day. Travelers are advised to plan routes around the timed closures and make use of added subway capacity where possible.
