Flooding closes Toronto subway hub Union station
Service on part of the Yonge Street subway line is expected to remain on hold well past the evening rush-hour because crews still have to pump out water that flooded the tracks at Union station, according to the TTC.
A section of the system — from Osgoode Station southbound to Union and from Union Station north to Yonge/Bloor Station — was closed around 1 p.m., because of what appears to be either a backed-up storm sewer or a burst sewer pipe near a construction site.
Water could be seen cascading from street level down into the station and onto the concourse and platform.
TTC CEO Andy Byford estimates that TTC crews will be working well past evening rush hour before subway service can resume.
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"We have a huge amount left to do," Byford told CBC News. "We've got to get this place cleaned up. We've got to finish pumping out all the water and we've got to do all of the electrical testing."
He said the system runs on electric current and all systems, including signals, escalators and elevators must be tested for safety.
Byford was on the scene shortly after water poured through the station and reported a foul smell.
"It was like a monsoon coming down the stairs," one TTC worker told CBC News.
About 40 people were trapped on one of the streetcars in the station's flooded Harbourfront tunnel — but were eventually rescued by Toronto firefighters. The station itself was quickly evacuated.
Byford said no passengers were injured during the flood.
Mayor Rob Ford, who toured Union Station on Friday evening, praised the TTC's cleanup efforts.
"I have been on the phone with [Police Chief] Blair, offering any resources we can to help Mr. Byford deal with this terrible flood that we have had," Ford said. "I can't thank the employees and Mr. Byford [enough] for his great leadership in getting this under control."
Streetcars operating
Streetcars are operating, but they are bypassing Union station.
The 510 and 509 Spadina streetcars that normally enter Union station were instead entering the tunnel servicing Queen's Quay station.
Byford suggested customers check the TTC website for updates.
More buses dispatched for evening rush-hour
Dozens of shuttle buses were sent to move riders along the subway route. TTC riders could be seen lining up to catch buses at Yonge and Bloor streets.
Workers in the financial district just north of Union station discovered they would have to stay on ground level while heading home for the day. Water seeped into the RBC Plaza path, closing the underground pedestrian walkway in that area.
The release of sewer water during Friday's heavy rains caused some flooding in the GO Transit concourse at Union station, but the commuter service said GO train and bus services were continuing to operate on schedule.
GO Transit said the doorways from Bay Street into the concourse were closed and it was telling passengers to use the stairwells from York and Bay streets leading directly to the platforms.
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