Here are some alerts for the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
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Subway closed between Yonge-Bloor and Union Station on Saturday, May 11, 2013
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Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) continues to conduct major work to upgrade the signal system on the Yonge portion (Bloor to Union stations) of the Yonge-University-Spadina subway line
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As a result of this work:
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Subway trains will terminate at Bloor and Union stations
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A frequent bus service will operate every three to five minutes between Rosedale and King stations
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Customers heading downtown should use the University line south from St George station
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- Alternate routes to stations on the Yonge line include:
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94 Wellesley bus, eastbound from Museum station
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506 Carlton streetcar, eastbound from Queen’s Park station
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505 Dundas streetcar, eastbound from St Patrick station
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501 Queen streetcar, eastbound from Osgoode station or
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504 King streetcar, eastbound from St Andrew station
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- The TTC will have Wheel-Trans buses available to accommodate seniors and persons with disabilities who use wheelchairs, scooters and other mobility aids
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Labour Disruption May Affect Elevator Service at TTC Stations
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On May 1, the union representing elevator maintenance technicians (unrelated to the TTC) went on a legal strike across Ontario
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As a result, elevators that service Toronto Transit Commission subway and RT stations may be out of service for longer than usual after a breakdown
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The TTC has a contingency plan to deal with emergencies, including working with its contractor and Toronto Fire Service in the event someone becomes trapped in a malfunctioning elevator
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The TTC is also working to secure a non-emergency service contract for its 80 elevators during this labour disruption
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Customers should call the TTC lift line at 416-539-5438 or visit ttc.ca before departing on their trip to ensure the elevators that are part of their journey are operating
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This video presents “2012 Sporting Life 10K, Toronto – music by Moe Cascanette”:
- “Video collage of the 2012 Sporting Life 10K race in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The course starts just north of Eglinton and Yonge then “runs” down Yonge Street downtown, then eventually finishes in a “bottleneck” near Fort York“
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Sporting Life 10K Run – Road Closures for 27,000 Runners on Sunday, May 12, 2013
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Yonge Street between Lawrence Avenue and Eglinton Avenue will be closed from 5 to 9 a.m. on Sunday to accommodate the formation area for the run
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Along the route for the run, closures will occur between 8 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at the following locations:
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Additionally, the following closures will be in effect between 5 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Sunday on the following streets:
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Fort York Boulevard between Fleet Street and Lake Shore Boulevard (north and eastbound curb lanes will remain open for condo access)
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From 5 a.m. until 1 p.m., Fort York Boulevard from the west side of Bathurst Street to Fleet Street will be closed (finish area)
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Please Note: After all runners pass an intersection, that intersection will reopen to traffic in the area
City of Toronto’s image: Caterpillar or larva stage of European Gypsy Moth -
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Toronto’s Aerial Pesticide Spraying to Control European Gypsy Moth Population: May 21 to June 11, Between 5 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.
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The European Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar) population can no longer be controlled by manual control methods
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To combat the infestation of European Gypsy Moth and help protect trees from dying, Toronto is planning an aerial pesticide spray application using Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki (Btk) – (Product name: Foray 48B – Biological Insecticide Pest Control Product (PCP) Act Registration Number 24977):
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This is a biological insecticide that contains naturally occurring bacterium found on dead or decaying matter in the soil
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Btk, when used as directed and sprayed by air, is not considered a health risk to humans
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Health Canada affirms that the Btk pesticide is not linked to any significant health risks from either direct or indirect (i.e. spraying) contact with the product
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No special precautions are required for residents in the spray zone
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However, if you wish to avoid exposure to Btk, remain indoors during and immediately after the spraying
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Residents can also cover patio furniture or outdoor playing areas prior to the spraying or hose them off afterward
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Btk does not affect adult moths and butterflies, other insects, honeybees, fish, birds or mammals
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It kills young caterpillars that are present at the time of spray
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Through aerial spraying, Btk will be applied to the foliage of the trees and the caterpillars must feed on the treated leaves for it to be effective
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Spraying will take place between 5 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. in the following infested areas:
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Specific spray dates are chosen 48 hours in advance, and can be cancelled if weather conditions change
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Residents within the affected spray zones are encouraged to check for updates by checking the City’s website at http://www.toronto.ca/trees/gypsy-moth.htm or by calling 311 or if calling from outside Toronto, 1-855-551-5150
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TTC Contact Info
- Information on fares, routes, schedules and service
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416-393-4636 (INFO)
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Recorded information available 24 hours daily
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Operator-assisted service is available from 8:00am to 6:00pm daily, except statutory holidays
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TTY Hearing Impaired Service, 416-481-2523, Daily, 8:00am-6:00pm; except statutory holidays
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- Main Switchboard
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416-393-4000
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Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
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City of Toronto Contact Info
Phone within Toronto city limits: 311
Phone outside city limits: 416-392-CITY (2489)
(can be used within Toronto if you can’t reach 311)
TTY customers: 416-338-0TTY (0889)
Fax: 416-338-0685
E-mail: 311@toronto.ca
If your matter is urgent, please call them. They are open 24/7.
Always call 911 for emergencies.
NEWS RELEASE
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
May 9, 2013
City of Toronto plans aerial spray to control European Gypsy Moth population
Toronto is currently dealing with an infestation of the European Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar). Infestation levels have reached a point where manual control methods, such as egg scraping, sticky traps, and ground spraying of pesticides, are no longer effective in controlling the Gypsy Moth population.
The City of Toronto is planning an aerial pesticide spray application using Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki (Btk) – (Product name: Foray 48B – Biological Insecticide Pest Control Product (PCP) Act Registration Number 24977) to control Gypsy Moth outbreak populations and to help protect trees from dying. This biological insecticide contains naturally occurring bacterium found on dead or decaying matter in the soil. Btk, when used as directed and sprayed by air, is not considered a health risk to humans.
The Gypsy Moth is a defoliating insect that is considered a major pest in North America. The caterpillar, or larvae stage of the insect, eats the leaves of trees, making the trees more susceptible to disease and damage from other insects or weather related factors. Btk does not affect adult moths and butterflies, other insects, honeybees, fish, birds or mammals. It kills young caterpillars that are present at the time of spray. Through aerial spraying, Btk will be applied to the foliage of the trees and the caterpillars must feed on the treated leaves for it to be effective.
The spraying will take place from May 21 to June 11 in infested areas across the city. Spraying will take place between 5 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.
The areas that will be sprayed are:
Princess Margaret Boulevard and Kipling Avenue
Thorncrest Road
The Kingsway and Edenbridge Drive
Valecrest Road and North Drive
Herne Hill
Royal York Road and The Kingsway
Moore Park
Tam O’Shanter Golf Course
Humber Valley Golf Course
Cherry Beach Park
Toronto Island Park
Spraying is dependent on weather and will only be done in the right conditions. As a result, specific spray dates are chosen 48 hours in advance, and can be cancelled if weather conditions change. Residents within the affected spray zones are encouraged to check for updates by checking the City’s website at http://www.toronto.ca/trees/gypsy-moth.htm or by calling 311 or if calling from outside Toronto, 1-855-551-5150.
A two-engine helicopter with an ultra low volume spray system will fly about 15 to 30 metres above the tree tops and will spray Btk. Local road closures will be in effect during the aerial spraying to minimize any potential risks associated with the low flying helicopter. Notification signs will be posted along local roads to announce the closures.
The health and safety of residents and the health of the environment are top priorities for the City of Toronto. Health Canada affirms that the Btk pesticide is not linked to any significant health risks from either direct or indirect (i.e. spraying) contact with the product. No special precautions are required for residents in the spray zone. However, if you wish to avoid exposure to Btk, remain indoors during and immediately after the spraying. Residents can also cover patio furniture or outdoor playing areas prior to the spraying or hose them off afterward.
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. Toronto’s government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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You may also want to know:
- You’re Invited: Spring & Green Events in Ontario May 10 – 12, 2013 (ROMwalks May 1, 2013 – October 20, 2013)
- You’re Invited: May 4 – 5, 2013 Events in Ontario, Canada (BMFA Arts Centre’s 2013 Guest Artists Exhibition: Leslie Sorochan • Permitted Paths and Lynn Christine Kelly • Cycles of Life May 1-26, 2013)