A section of Adelaide Street North will temporarily close this week for what is being called an "important milestone" in the construction of the busy artery's underpass.
Starting Thursday, Adelaide between McMahen and Elias streets will be closed as workers lift the second of two rail bridge pieces into place. A crane will move part of the existing temporary bridge and place the new bridge piece on the north side of the tracks.
"Installation of the two new rail bridge pieces is an important milestone that allows the project to progress to excavation for the underpass itself, which traffic will use to pass beneath the tracks," the city said in a statement.
The first rail bridge piece was lifted into place last month.
The latest closure will be in place until Saturday.
During the closure, two London transit routes, the 16 and 92, will be detoured along Piccadilly Street, William Street and Princess Street.
Construction of the four-lane Adelaide Street Underpass began last year. Once completed, it will take drivers under the busy CP Rail tracks, eliminating the estimated 11 to 30 times each day that drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians are blocked by passing trains. In addition to that, it will provide a reliable route for emergency services and public transit and reduce cut-through traffic in adjacent neighbourhoods.
The city expects the $60 million project to be completed by the fall of next year with a few finishing touches to be carried out in 2025.