‘Deafening’: Screeching noises from TTC streetcars along Woodbine loop causing headaches for residents

Residents living near the Woodbine loop at Queen Street and Kingston Road have been dealing with the shrill screech of TTC streetcars daily.

“It’s kind of like being in a horror movie,” said one resident. Another compared it to “nails on a chalkboard.”

“It’s deafening. It’s unbearable.”

Three weeks ago, the TTC committed to greasing the tracks three times per day after multiple complaints. It was music to the ears of those near the tracks.

However, the ear-piercing sound still prevails.

“It was great to see that they wanted to do something about it, but it didn’t last long,” said Marc Trepanier, a resident of the area for the last two years.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says anything above average road traffic noise of 53 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night is considered too loud.

The sounds of daily life in Toronto average about 69 decibels. CityNews measured the screeching streetcar at 95 decibels with the NIOSH Sound Level Meter App, which was developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Some experts say harsh sounds are more detrimental to your health, and research reveals that sudden sounds that stand out from the background, especially at night, can harm cardiovascular health.

“You’re waiting for the next one to come around the corner if you’re enjoying mere quiet time in your backyard. You know that it’s temporary,” said Spencer Robinson, a resident of the area for the last two years.

Due to construction in the east end, the TTC is using the Woodbine loop more often. Some of the streetcars have a rubber ring on their wheels or a lubrication system so they can grease as they drive.

“I can just tell by my experience those measures don’t work,” said Trepanier.

TTC spokesperson Stuart Green said efforts to calm the noise are ongoing across the entire streetcar network but didn’t elaborate on other options they’re looking at for a more permanent solution.

“We continue to monitor and work with our streetcar division to address as best we can. We are applying lubricant, but the rain can counter its effects, so we have to re-apply,” read the statement.

Green said they’ve received 74 complaints for streetcar noise since June 1, twenty of which were for the Woodbine area. They average around 24 complaints a month.

“I don’t want to seem like I’m not resilient or appreciative of this great service in the city. But it’s not something that I would wish upon anyone in any area that has to deal with a streetcar turnaround,” said Robinson

“It happens to be in my own backyard. I don’t want it to be in anyone’s backyard.”