Chaos erupted beneath the streets of Toronto Tuesday as a vehicle plunged into the Queens Quay tunnel, bringing streetcar service to a standstill. A grey Honda sedan became wedged within the transit-only route, triggering a four-hour disruption for commuters on the 509 Harbourfront and 510 Spadina lines.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. The Queens Quay tunnel has become notorious for attracting confused – or perhaps misguided – drivers, with dozens of vehicles mistakenly entering the underground passage since 2014. Despite increasingly visible warnings, the problem persists.
The TTC had implemented multiple deterrents, including prominent signage, flashing lights, sturdy bollards, and even rumble strips designed to jolt drivers to attention. These measures were intended to make it abundantly clear: this route is for streetcars only.
Yet, drivers continue to ignore the warnings. In 2018, the transit agency installed two ten-foot access gates, a significant investment meant to physically prevent vehicles from entering. The TTC confidently declared, “No excuses for cars entering the tunnel!”
However, the gates proved insufficient. In January 2020, an elderly driver followed a streetcar into the tunnel while the gate was temporarily open, navigating all the way to Union Station before becoming hopelessly stuck. The pattern of intrusions continued, defying preventative efforts.
Police quickly determined the vehicle involved in the latest incident was stolen. A 40-year-old man, identified as James Macadam, was apprehended and now faces a slew of charges, including dangerous driving and possession of stolen property exceeding $5,000. The full extent of the charges is still being finalized.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported in this latest disruption. But the incident underscores a frustrating reality for the TTC: despite repeated attempts to safeguard the tunnel, it remains vulnerable to errant drivers, causing significant delays and operational headaches.
The 2018 surge saw two vehicles enter the tunnel within a single week, bringing the total number of incidents to 25 since 2014. Each intrusion requires a painstaking removal process, diverting resources and impacting thousands of commuters.
The question now is, what further measures can be taken to finally resolve this ongoing issue and ensure the Queens Quay tunnel remains a dedicated pathway for Toronto’s streetcars?
