Staff Directive and Procedures
Effective Period: May 1 – July 31, 2026
1. Introduction
This directive outlines the procedures and restrictions that will be in effect from May 1 to July 31, 2026, during the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be hosted in Toronto. A work restriction zone has been established to support the FIFA World Cup event, and this directive clarifies how utility work, site servicing, other construction in the right-of-way, and associated work zone coordination must comply with these restrictions.
2. Work Restriction Zone Overview
Duration: May 1, 2026 – July 31, 2026
A work restriction zone has been established in cooperation with the Strategic Capital Coordination Office, the FIFA Secretariat, and staff in Transportation Services for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
*NEW* A updated map outlining the areas for these work restrictions is appended to this directive and is also available here. Please refer to the map to better understand the restriction areas and the dates that are being applied to different areas.
Toronto will be hosting 6 matches as part of the tournament on the following days:
Friday, June 12, Wednesday June 17, Saturday June 20, Tuesday June 23, Friday June 26, and Thursday July 2. Restrictions on the day before each match and each day after a match are also in effect.
Further details regarding these work restrictions are detailed below.
3. Utility and Third Party Construction
3.1 Full Stream Work
Restriction: No full stream work is permitted between May 1 and July 31, 2026, on arterial
and collector roadways within the FIFA Work Zone Restriction Areas.
Exceptions and Case-by-Case Assessment:
- Full stream work on local roads needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis
- Applicants must submit detailed justification for work on local roads during the
restricted period - Approval will depend on:
- The nature and duration of the proposed work
- Expected traffic and pedestrian impact
- Proximity and any anticipated traffic impacts to FIFA venues, hotels, training sites, and transportation corridors
- Alternative scheduling availability
Arterial and Collector Roadways: Work is not permitted on these roadways during the entire restriction period. Applicants must schedule work before May 1 or after July 31, 2026.
Action: All full-stream work projects must be:
- Completed before May 1, 2026, OR
- Scheduled to commence on or after August 1, 2026, or later
- Pause the work and have all excavations backfilled and temporarily restored, with all equipment and materials fully removed from the Right-of-Way by that date.
3.2 Short Stream Work
General Restriction: No short stream work is permitted between May 1 and July 31, 2026,
on arterial or collector roadways within the FIFA Work Zone Restriction Areas.
Exceptions and Case-by-Case Assessment:
- Short stream work on local roads needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis
- Applicants must submit detailed justification for work on local roads during the
restricted period - Approval will depend on:
- The nature and duration of the proposed work
- Expected traffic and pedestrian impact
- Proximity and any anticipated traffic impacts to FIFA venues, hotels, training
sites, and transportation corridors - Alternative scheduling availability
Arterial and Collector Roadways: Work is not permitted on these roadways during the entire restriction period. Applicants must schedule work before May 1 or after July 31, 2026.
Staff Guidance: When reviewing requests to work on local roads between May 1 – July 31, Work Zone Traffic Coordinators must consult with their supervisor before issuing approval.
3.3 Site Servicing Permits
Restriction: Site servicing permits follow the same rules as short stream work.
Procedures:
- No site servicing permit work on arterial or collector roadways if it requires any temporary lane closure or any closure to a sidewalk
- Site service work on local roads requires case-by-case assessment through the escalation process. *NEW* Work that is short in duration (less than 2 hours) on a local road is permitted.
- Same justification and approval process applies as Section 3.2
4. Emergency Work Procedures
Definition: Emergency work is defined according to the Municipal Consents Requirements (MCR) document.
Emergency work may proceed during the work restriction period, subject to immediate notification protocols outlined in the MCR including immediate notification as follows:
- Transportation Services dispatch by phone: 416-392-5556
- OR by email: [email protected]
Planned emergency work (e.g. replacement of HVAC equipment) should be discussed with your Supervisor or Manager who
5. Construction Staging
Construction staging areas that are in the work restriction areas will also be subject to restrictions on the following days (these include match days and match days -1 and +1 where higher than normal traffic and pedestrian movements are projected):
- Match #1 – June 11-13th
- Match #2 – June 16-18th
- Match #3 – June 19-21st
- Match #4 – June 22-24th
- Match #5 – June 25-27th
- Match #6 – July 1-3rd
If based on discussions between the work zone coordinator and the developer, it is not feasible to demobilize the construction staging area and reopen the right-of-way in its entirety, the following conditions should apply:
- Pause on all construction deliveries during game days. *NEW* This applies to all vehicles with greater than 2 axles.
- Pause on any additional closures outside of the construction staging area, such as service connections/third-party construction, tower crane installation/removal etc. between June 11 and July 3, 2026
- *NEW* Construction deliveries are permitted as determined by the work zone coordinator on days that don’t fall within the 3-day windows noted above around match days for the month of June and July 2026
- *NEW* Construction waste removal, crane and hoist servicing, and solid waste removal that is essential from a healthy and safety perspective can continue with the exception that none of these occur on match days.
- Assess the need for traffic agents/paid duty officers at any adjacent intersection and/or any potential signal timing adjustments
6. Street Occupation Permits
No street occupation permits should be issued on arterial or collector roadways in the work restriction area on the following days (these include match days and match days -1 and +1 where higher than normal traffic and pedestrian movements are projected):
- Match #1 – June 11-13th
- Match #2 – June 16-18th
- Match #3 – June 19-21st
- Match #4 – June 22-24th
- Match #5 – June 25-27th
- Match #6 – July 1-3rd
Exceptions and Case-by-Case Assessment:
- Short stream work on local roads needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis
- Applicants must submit detailed justification for work on local roads during the restricted period
- Approval will depend on:
- The nature and duration of the proposed work
- Expected traffic and pedestrian impact
- Proximity and any anticipated traffic impacts to FIFA venues, hotels, training sites, and transportation corridors
- Alternative scheduling availability
8. Single trip permits
No single trip permits should be issued on arterial or collector roadways in the work restriction area on the following days (these include match days and match days -1 and +1 where higher than normal traffic and pedestrian movements are projected):
- Match #1 – June 11-13th
- Match #2 – June 16-18th
- Match #3 – June 19-21st
- Match #4 – June 22-24th
- Match #5 – June 25-27th
- Match #6 – July 1-3rd
9. Escalation Procedures
Questions or unusual circumstances regarding this directive and any requests for an exemption to these restrictions should be escalated to:
- The Supervisor or Manager
- If direction is still needed, the Supervisor or Manager can reach out to TransFWC26.toronto.ca
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