What to know
- Residents are petitioning the City of Toronto to install traffic lights at Willowdale Avenue and Elmwood Avenue.
- The petition follows an October 26 collision that seriously injured a young girl and her grandparent.
- City staff are reviewing traffic counts and met with Councillor Lily Cheng on-site on November 4.
- The City is discussing potential interim safety measures, including increased speed enforcement, while the investigation continues.
Toronto residents are petitioning for traffic lights to be installed at a North York intersection after a collision seriously injured a young girl and her grandparent.
A petition is calling on Toronto Transportation Services to upgrade the existing pedestrian crossover at Willowdale Avenue and Elmwood Avenue to a fully signalized intersection with dedicated pedestrian crossing phases.
The petition, addressed to the city’s Transportation Services department and local councillor Lily Cheng, describes the intersection as a safety concern for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
According to organizers, the crossing is heavily used by children walking to and from nearby schools, families and seniors. However, they say drivers frequently fail to yield to pedestrians, raising concerns about whether the existing infrastructure is sufficient to protect those using the intersection.
The petition also points to several previous collisions and what organizers describe as near-collisions happening on a daily basis.
The latest call for action follows an October 26 collision at the intersection involving a young girl and her grandparent, both of whom were seriously injured.
Petition organizers say the incident highlights the risks pedestrians face when crossing the street and argue that the current pedestrian crossover is not providing adequate protection for vulnerable road users.
City of Toronto investigating traffic conditions following collision
In a statement to Now Toronto, the City said staff are reviewing traffic conditions at the intersection following a request from Cheng.
“As part of the investigation, staff are reviewing traffic counts and met with the councillor on-site on November 4 to observe traffic conditions. The findings will help inform recommendations for potential traffic safety measures,” the statement said.
In the meantime, the City says staff are discussing possible measures with Cheng, including requests for Toronto Police Service to conduct enforcement to support compliance with the existing posted speed limit.
The petition is asking the city to install full traffic signals with synchronized pedestrian walk and don’t walk signals as soon as possible.
Residents are also calling for interim safety improvements while the proposed traffic lights are being considered. Those measures could include additional warning signage, speed reduction measures and a crossing guard during peak school hours.
“We cannot wait for another injury or fatality to act,” the petition states.
The City has not confirmed whether traffic lights will be installed at the intersection or provided a timeline for potential upgrades.
