TIFF 2024 brings road closures, TTC service changes starting Thursday

The 2024 Toronto International Film Festival kicks off Thursday, and the city has announced several road closures and TTC service adjustments that both festival-goers and commuters should keep in mind.
The annual festival, which attracts over 425,000 attendees, will continue until Sept. 15 with hundreds of screenings and other events, including the pop-up Festival Street, which offers free entertainment on King Street.
The pop-up street festival will involve road closures from Thursday at 5 a.m. until Monday at 5 a.m. on King Street West between University and Spadina avenues, Widmer Street between King and Adelaide streets, Emily Street between Wellington and King streets, and Duncan Street between Pearl and Adelaide streets.
John Street will also be closed between Wellington and King streets during this same period.
Commuters can expect Simcoe Street to be closed between Wellington and Adelaide streets from 5 a.m. on Thursday until Tuesday at 5 a.m. 
The city says there will be partial lane closures in the area near the Shangri-La Hotel, Scotiabank Theatre and Princess of Wales Theatre from the festival’s kickoff until Sept. 17, and in the area around Roy Thomson Hall until Sept. 19.  
Drivers are advised to plan ahead and give themselves extra time or use other transportation methods such as public transit, the city said. 
As the street festivities will close part of King Street West starting Thursday, several TTC streetcar routes are to be adjusted and split between the east and west sides of University Avenue, with most routes to be affected until Monday, the transit agency said. 
The 503 Kingston Road route, the 504A King streetcar, the 304 King and the 508 Lake Shore routes will turn back at Church Street, redirecting along Wellington Street to York Street before going east on King.
The TTC says the 504B King streetcar will operate between Broadview station and the Distillery loop.
The 504/304 King and 508 Lake Shore streetcars will turn back west at Spadina Avenue while the 504A King will run in both directions to Dundas West station.
The 504B King route will head to Humber loop and the 508 Lake Shore will go to Long Branch loop, the TTC said.
Replacement buses will be operating in the area, with details on the TTC website. 
The modified TTC schedule is set to last until normal service resumes on Monday at 5 a.m. but service diversions will be required between 3:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday because of TIFF red-carpet events on King Street. 
A few other red-carpet events will take place between Sept. 11 and Sept. 14, the TTC added, noting that service diversions won’t be necessary for these events but TTC riders may see delays to their trips during those times. 
The TTC says it will have staff on site at major locations to help direct customers. 
“The City of Toronto and TTC are working with TIFF to ensure Festival Street is enjoyed with minimal inconvenience to those travelling in this area of the city,” a city bulletin reads. 
This year’s star-studded lineup of festival attendees includes Amy Adams, Cate Blanchett and Will Ferrell, as well as music superstars Pharrell Williams, Bruce Springsteen and Elton John.
TIFF will include the world premiere of the war drama “Without Blood,” by Angelina Jolie, who directed, co-wrote and co-produced the film. Jolie is set to receive the TIFF Tribute Award in Impact Media for her humanitarian work at the festival’s fundraising gala on Sunday .  
With files from the Canadian Press