Garbage truck hits TTC wires at King and Spadina; repairs expected to take until the end of the week

Repairs to streetcar wires and the overheard power network at the intersection of King Street West and Spadina Avenue is expected to take to the end of the week after a garbage truck hit wires, affecting TTC service in the area and closing the intersection.

The incident happened around 8 a.m. on Tuesday in downtown Toronto. Police said the live wires came down but no injuries were reported.

A TTC spokesperson said the garbage truck appeared to have its bucket up when it took out the overhead wires through the intersection.

The transit agency said they are diverting all available resources and will maintain a 24-hour operation until the repairs are complete and streetcar service is restored.

“Engineers are currently assessing infrastructure including power poles to ensure their integrity, and crews are working to repair salvageable wires, installing and configuring new wires, and ensuring breakers and other power systems are operational before testing the system for safe operations,” read their latest statement.

The TTC says repairs are expected to take until the end of the week to complete.

A full road closure is currently place on Spadina between Front Street and Adelaide Street and on King Street between Charlotte Street and Brant Street.

There are also streetcar diversions on several routes, including the 504 King, 508 Lake Shore, and 510 Spadina. Buses are also supplementing some service.

Transit users are asked to use Queen Street or Bathurst Street to access streetcar service.

Police said no charges have been laid against the driver at this time. The City added that the garbage truck was not publicly contracted and they are not considering bylaw charges.