A Toronto councillor says the city’s traffic congestion is at a “critical point” with numerous ongoing road closures, including part of Lake Shore Blvd. for the Honda Indy this weekend.
As of Wednesday, southbound Strachan Ave. is closed from Fleet St. to Lake Shore Blvd. W. and from Strachan Ave. to British Columbia Drive until 11 p.m. Sunday night for the annual racing event.
However, the road closures are adding to an already long list of other closures around the city, including lane reductions along the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway.
The constant road closures due mostly to construction work is leaving Torontonians frustrated while battling longer commute times with dwindling patience.
A Honda Indy driver himself even acknowledged the city’s messy gridlock yesterday at a press conference ahead of the event, saying he had to bike there.
“I am just super happy to be here in Toronto. I got stuck in traffic as well so I actually rented a bike to get here on time and then ran the rest of the way,” he told reporters.
In response to the weekend road closures, the city says “it has been working with Honda Indy event organizers to create a plan for improved traffic flow to mitigate the effect of road closures that will affect travel for motorists, transit users and pedestrians for the duration of the event weekend.”
Staff also noted ways the city will be alleviating congestion around the event and the major arterial roads nearby. This includes timing adjustments and modifications made to traffic signals along roads, including Lake Shore Blvd., Queen Street, and King Street.
In addition, the city says it will deploy traffic agents during the entire weekend to prevent motorists from blocking the intersection and to maintain proper traffic flow. Clear signage will also be present to indicate the road closures and the city says staff will monitor traffic cameras along routes surrounding the event for any issues.
Meanwhile, the TTC is also increasing streetcar service for those heading to the Honda Indy. Extra streetcars will be running on the 509 Harbourfront and 511 Bathurst towards Exhibition Place.
In response to the rise in traffic congestion, Deputy Mayor and City Councillor for Ward 10, Spadina–Fort York Ausma Malik says she has been actively working with city staff to examine new ways to alleviate the gridlock and develop long-term solutions.
“With Gardiner and King St. construction, and a number of special events, the situation is at a critical point. I am committed to ensuring public safety, efficient emergency services, and smooth traffic flow in this neighbourhood so everyone can get where they need to go,” she said in a statement to Now Toronto on Friday.
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REACTIONS FROM TORONTONIANS
Torontonians are not impressed with the ongoing traffic chaos, particularly with Lake Shore Blvd., which was one of the only remaining arteries into the city unaffected by recent closures, being partially shut down for the weekend.
“It’s a nightmare here. I’m not sure who approves these decisions, but I’m certain they could’ve hosted the Honda Indy somewhere else this year considering highway closures. Not everything needs to happen on the Lakeshore,” one X user said.
“I really wouldn’t mind the construction if I actually saw them making progress. Back in the 1990s I remember seeing construction crews out there from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Now, they work 9 a.m. to 4 p.m,” a TikTok user said.
A Toronto TikToker has even gone as far to say that walking has gotten her farther than driving or taking the TTC.
@natdoumkos this is a toronto rant account now #toronto #torontotiktok #torontotok #torontolife #torontowassup ♬ original sound – nat doumkos
“I just have a couple words for the non-Toronto living person that thought it was a good idea to tear up the Gardiner, Lakeshore, King Street, Queen Street, Adelaide, and Eglinton all at the exact same time,” she sarcastically said in the video.
