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The City of Toronto has updated its plans for streetcar track and sewer work on Queen Street East between Leslie Street and Vancouver Avenue. The work is expected to start in early November 2026 and finish by March 2027. Here's what's planned, and how it may affect homeowners, buyers and sellers in the area.

The Plan in Brief

According to the City's project page, updated October 22, 2026, the City and TTC are renewing aging streetcar tracks to reduce track noise and bring them to a state of good repair. Crews will also rehabilitate a sewer by cleaning it and installing a structural liner. "Phasing and timelines are subject to change," the City notes.

Driving and Walking

• During track work: Queen Street will be limited to one westbound lane only from Leslie Street to Vancouver. Drivers heading east must turn at Leslie Street.
• During sewer work: At least one travel lane will stay open in each direction.
• Pedestrians: Access along Queen Street will be maintained.
• The City's page does not address parking. Check the project page or call 311 for your block.

Work Hours and Noise

TTC track work will run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Sewer work is scheduled from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Monday to Friday, with late or weekend work when needed. Concrete breaking is described as the most disruptive and typically lasts the first one to two days of each phase, mainly between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.

If your home is close to the lining work, the contractor will issue a separate notice at least 48 hours before it starts. During that window, residents should avoid draining water to prevent sewer backup.

Transit Changes

In Phase 1, the 501 Queen streetcar will divert to Gerrard Street East between Broadview and Coxwell. Replacement buses will run as close to the work zone as possible, and the 31 Greenwood is currently scheduled to divert at Dundas Street East, pending confirmation. Phase 2 details will be posted at ttc.ca/queeneast.

Is This the Ontario Line?

No. This is a separate City and TTC project. The Ontario Line's Leslieville Station work is happening around Queen, De Grassi and Strange. See our guide to what City Council approved for that project.

What It Means for Buyers and Sellers

• Sellers: Plan showing times around the work, and tell buyers early about the schedule. A clear, upbeat explanation helps. The work is temporary and is meant to improve the tracks.
• Buyers: Visit at different times of day, and ask about the construction calendar for the street you like. See how the neighbourhoods compare in Leslieville vs. Riverdale.
• Owners nearby: Review your block's notices, and keep an eye on the City's page for updates.

Explore Riverdale and Leslieville, or read whether the bidding war era is over.

Source: City of Toronto, Queen Street East construction.

This article summarizes publicly available City of Toronto information as of October 2026. Dates and measures can change; confirm details with the City and the TTC.

If you're buying in Riverdale and Leslieville, the Beaches, or the Danforth and East York, land transfer tax is likely your largest closing cost — and in Toronto you pay it twice. Rather than a generic explanation, here are real worked examples.

How the Tax Is Calculated

Ontario's land transfer tax is a marginal tax: each slice of the price is taxed at its own rate. For the portion of a price up to $2 million, Toronto's Municipal Land Transfer Tax (MLTT) uses the same brackets as the province:

That works out to $4,475 of tax on the first $400,000, plus 2% of whatever you pay above $400,000. Then you pay the same calculation again to the City.

Worked Examples

The prices below are illustrative price points, not East End averages.

As a cross-check, TRREB puts the combined tax at roughly $33,000 on an average-priced Toronto home, in line with the $1,000,000 row.

With the First-Time Buyer Rebates

Eligible first-time buyers can claim up to $4,000 off the provincial tax and up to $4,475 off the Toronto MLTT — up to $8,475 combined. The City's rebate is in addition to the provincial one.

At these price points the rebates cover only a fraction of the tax. TRREB notes that the City's rebate hasn't been updated since 2016.

Above $3 Million

Since April 1, 2026, Toronto charges higher MLTT rates on the portion of the price above $3 million, starting at 4.40% on the portion up to $4 million. If you're buying at that level, confirm your figure directly with the City or your lawyer, since those tiers are recent.

Two Things Worth Knowing Before You Budget

• It's cash on closing. Land transfer tax can't be added to your mortgage. Plan for it alongside your down payment, legal fees, and moving costs.
• It's on the ballot, sort of. Toronto's municipal election is October 26, and land transfer tax is part of the campaign conversation. Nothing changes your closing costs unless the new council acts, so budget on today's rules. We cover the details in our market-side guide.

Run Your Own Numbers

For an exact figure on a specific price, use RE/MAX Plus City's Land Transfer Tax calculator. If you're early in the process and want to understand your full buying costs, our Buy page is a good starting point.

The Bottom Line

On a $1.3 million East End home, the combined land transfer tax is roughly $45,000 before any first-time buyer rebate — a number worth knowing before you fall in love with a listing, not after. Planning for it early is far easier than finding the cash the week of closing.

This article is for general information and is not legal or tax advice. Eligibility for rebates depends on your circumstances; confirm with your real estate lawyer.