Closures you need to know about this weekend for Taylor Swift in Toronto

After months and months of anticipation, the world’s most famous pop star is coming to Toronto for an unprecedented run of six sold-out shows at the Rogers Centre.

While the Swifties who were lucky enough to score tickets to the Eras Tour are no doubt getting excited to see the songstress live, residents and commuters who aren’t going to a show should also prepare themselves for some temporary road closures and other disruptions on Nov. 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23. 

Road closures:

The City of Toronto says the following road closures will be in effect on Swift’s concert dates:

• 1 p.m.: Westbound lanes on Bremner Boulevard between Rees Street and Navy Wharf Court. Eastbound lanes will remain open for two-way traffic. 
• 2 p.m.: The following roads will be restricted to local traffic (residents and businesses) only: 
• Bremner Boulevard between Spadina Avenue and Simcoe Street 
• Northbound lanes on Rees Street will be closed. Southbound lanes will remain open for two-way traffic including an accessible entry point. 
• Blue Jays Way between Spadina Avenue and south of Front Street (the Marriott Hotel will be accessible from Front Street via Blue Jays Way)

• Navy Court Wharf (access to condos will be via a police checkpoint at the Spadina Avenue and Bremner Boulevard intersection)

• Lake Shore Boulevard will be reduced to two westbound lanes at the intersection with Rees Street for a drop-off/pick-up point. 
• 10 p.m.: Additional closures will come into effect to support crowd control ahead of concertgoers leaving Rogers Centre at the end of the concert: 
• Front Street between Blue Jays Way and Simcoe Street 
• John Street, south of Wellington Street 
• Windsor Street, south of Wellington Street 
• 11 p.m.: Eastbound and westbound Gardiner Expressway off-ramps to Spadina Avenue will be closed to restrict traffic into the area as concertgoers leave Rogers Centre. 
• Additional spot road closures may be needed for crowd and traffic management. 
• All roads and ramps will re-open when traffic and crowds dissipate which is expected to be by 1 a.m. following each concert. 
• The City and partners will debrief after every concert, adjusting closures as needed.  

Map of traffic restrictions on concert dates:

In a news release, the city said police and other officials will provide traffic control at key locations and drop-off/pick-up areas. Signage will warn drivers about closures, and police will monitor street parking. 

Getting around Toronto

The city says residents and visitors are strongly encouraged to take transit, ride share or Bike Share to get to and from the concert.  

The TTC and Metrolinx are planning additional services on their transit routes, and commuters are encouraged to check both transit service websites before travel. There will be crowd management and public safety plans in place at Union Station, and travellers are also encouraged to arrive at other subway stations, such as St. Andrew, Osgoode or King when getting to and from the concerts. 

Bike Share Toronto has numerous bike stations throughout the city, including near Rogers Centre, and will add extra bikes and valets to assist with docking near the concert venue.

Drop-off/pick-up zones

Dedicated drop-off and pick-up zones, including those for parents/caregivers, as well as taxis and ride shares, will be located at: 

• Front Street West between Bathurst Street and Spadina Avenue (north and south sides) 
• Bay Street between Richmond and Wellington Streets (west side) 
• York Street between Wellington and Adelaide Streets (west side) 
• Queens Quay between Yonge and Cooper Streets (south side) 
• Lake Shore Boulevard at Rees Street (north side) 

Parking will not be permitted in the drop-off and pick-up zones 

Parking

More than 2,000 parking spaces will be available at Green P parking garages at 40 York Street and 2 Church Street, located near the Rogers Centre. Both garages offer EV charging. 

Limited parking will be available at Exhibition Place at 6 Saskatchewan Road and 20 British Columbia Road. 

Limited Activity Zone

From Thursday, Nov. 14 to Saturday, Nov. 23, the city will implement a Limited Activity Zone between King, Jarvis and Bathurst Streets and Queens Quay. Within this zone, planned work that requires a road occupation permit – such as construction, filming and utility cuts – will not be allowed on concert dates.  

Significant crowds are expected to arrive in the city over the course of the concert dates. According to the municipality, the majority of concertgoers are expected to be from outside of Toronto, and up to 500,000 visitors are expected.

The Eras Tour is expected to bring more than $282 million in economic impact and more than $152 million in direct spending,