As city blocks off additional roads for ActiveTO, residents, drivers adjust to closures
Traffic jam on Lake Shore Boulevard Saturday a result of ActiveTO, police say
The City of Torontoclosed additional roads on Saturday morning as part of its ActiveTOplan which police said resultedin road congestion alongLake Shore Boulevard and mixed reaction from Toronto residents.
One Twitter user posted a video of the traffic jamon Saturday afternoon from a balcony near Palace Pier court and Lake Shore Boulevard West.
@TPSOperations i hate to be the balcony police but can someone pls attend to this mess? pic.twitter.com/lpoUJieHQ8
—@BPakaFT
In a Tweet on Saturday, Toronto police responded saying the congestion was a result of ActiveTO, which involves creating 57 kilometres of "quiet streets" to promote outdoor activity while maintaining physical distancing measures.
On Thursday,the city closed the following streets:
- Kensington Market, in the area that borders Nassau Avenue, Spadina Avenue, Augusta Avenue and Dundas Street West.
- Shaughnessy Boulevardbetween Van Horne Avenue and Havenbrook Boulevard.
- Havenbrook Boulevardbetween Shaughnessy Boulevard and Manorpark Court.
On Saturday, the city closed the following additional roads, which will be blocked off until Monday at 11 p.m., inanticipation of crowding outdoors during Victoria Day Weekend:
- All eastbound lanes on Lake Shore Boulevard West between Windermere Avenue to Stadium Road.
- Bayview Avenue from Mill Street to Rosedale Valley Road.
- River Street from Gerrard Street East to Bayview Avenue.
The streets are still open to local traffic,runners, walkers, and bikers, the city says.
Some residents say closing off the streets will help Torontonians stay active and safe during the pandemic.
"It's a really good idea to try to make some paths. Some of those routes get extremely crowded," Toronto resident Nick Wellington told CBC Toronto Friday.
Others don't seem as sure of the new plan.
So #Toronto opens up the Lakeshore for cyclists runners walkers etc...so much for social distancing...and I saw 2 masks...good job. #ActiveTO @JohnTory #covidtoronto #Social_Distancing #MaskItOrCasket #TOpoli #onpoli #VictoriaDay
—@billied7
The only active part of #ActiveTO is the traffic. @JohnTory, is this supposed to encourage pedestrians to walk in the road to maintain #PhysicalDistancing? Local traffic only huh? pic.twitter.com/b7gE7Lb7Ck
—@MetroManTO
One resident saidmore signsareneeded to ensure only local traffic gets through the closed streets.
Hi @anabailaoTO it appears that although Emerson is an #ActiveTO Street (yay) there are no markers designating as such and lots of non local drivers. Can we expect signage soon?
—@maggie_wente
Othersexpressed concern over the ability for residents to followphysical distancing measures while using the space.
I would like to formally request more of the first picture and less of the second. #GhostBike #VisionZero #ActiveTO #BikeTO pic.twitter.com/PD4wje8m7v
—@Ryan_Shissler
'More and more people'
Valerie Zholobova, who lives in the Kensington Market area where streets have recently been blocked off,saidshe has alreadynoticed adifference.
"Three weeks ago, there was no onein this park," she told CBC Toronto on Friday.
"Now on sunny days, there's more and more people."
Others seem to agree, taking to Twitter to ask Toronto Mayor John Tory to make the plan permanent.
So nice to see extra space for pedestrians and cyclists on #Lakeshore today. Makes #PhysicalDistancing on a beautiful sunny day that much easier. Stay safe out there! #ActiveTO #BikeTO pic.twitter.com/sbhgJ5fsYv
—@CaraPhrase
Thank you @cityoftoronto #ActiveTO @JohnTory
Glorious weather today. Enjoy pic.twitter.com/xnHvxrKkCn
—@AMAwithAMA
ActiveTO is about safety, mayor says
In a statement to CBC Toronto, Tory said the project is about making sure people have space to get around the city safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"ActiveTO represents both a quick start and a common sense approach to managing areas where there is bike and pedestrian congestion right now," Tory said in the statement Saturday.
"I am pleased to hear that people are outside taking advantage of this new initiative on this beautiful Saturday of the May long weekend."
Tory said residents have been "cooperative" during the implementation process, adding that the city will monitor the plan's effectiveness and will make changes as necessary.
Details on expanding the cycling network, another leg of theplan,will be released next week, Tory added.
WATCH | Map detailsActiveTO road closures across the city
When asked about complaints from Toronto residents,city spokespersonEric Holmes told CBC Toronto closure details were announced earlier this week, and roadway signage was updated on Friday to reflect details for motorists.
"Sentiment from those taking advantage of the added space has been positive," Holmes said in an email on Saturday.
"The City of Toronto remains committed to actively monitoring and making necessary adjustments to the ActiveTO program and the impacts it may have along major roads and in neighbourhoods."
With files from Muriel Draaisma, Kelda Yuen