Toronto traffic changes for Blue Jays, TFC and ActiveTO events on the long weekend
The City of Toronto says they are ready to actively manage traffic this weekend as the Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto FC prepare to host fans at Rogers Centre and BMO Field, respectively. There is also an ActiveTO Lake Shore Boulevard West closure (Windermere Avenue to Stadium Road) scheduled to be fully in place for people to get outside for exercise.
Members of the public planning to make trips into or around the city this weekend are encouraged to ride public transit. Residents planning to use ActiveTO routes are asked to access them by bike or as a pedestrian due to limited nearby parking and no available on-site parking.
Both the Blue Jays and TFC will play in front of limited sized crowds of 15,000 fans, in accordance with public health direction. Data taken from ActiveTO Lake Shore Boulevard West earlier this summer showed the number of people cycling ranged from approximately 16,700 to 34,000, and between approximately 2,800 to 5,000 pedestrians.
In order to keep traffic moving this long weekend, the following plans are in place:
- Active monitoring of traffic cameras around each of the events.
- City Quick Clear Squads (City crews that can quickly respond to help get stopped and stalled vehicles out of the way) will be on the ready to help facilitate the clearing of any lane blockages as fast as possible.
- During the events, additional staff will be actively adjusting signal timings in the areas surrounding the games as well as along ActiveTO routes.
- Up to six City Traffic Agents will be deployed where necessary to complement the Paid Duty Officers that are required to be in place during events.
The City is also working to ensure that at least one lane of motor vehicle traffic will be available in the eastbound direction on Lake Shore Boulevard West as soon as possible on Sunday evening. This will allow pedestrians and cyclists to maintain two lanes of access along the Lake Shore West ActiveTO route until 9 p.m., while also balancing the need to allow for motorists to safely and efficiently leave the area following the TFC game.
ActiveTO routes will be available to pedestrians and cyclists until 9 p.m. on Sunday when crews will begin removing barriers and pylons and other safety equipment to reinstate vehicle traffic. While most routes can be re-opened within approximately one-hour, the Lake Shore Boulevard West closure, when it’s fully in place on a weekend, can take up to three hours to safely and fully reopen the lanes to vehicles.
There will be no subway service on Line 2 between Kipling and Jane stations on Saturday. Shuttle buses will operate. People planning to ride transit are reminded that masks or face coverings are mandatory when travelling on the TTC (exemptions apply). More information on how to wear a mask properly. More information is available at https://www.ttc.ca/Service_Advisories/Subway_closures/Jul31_Kipling-Jane.jsp
This weekend, Metrolinx has put two extra GO trains are on standby, in addition to its regularly scheduled hourly service. Trains are also being upsized to accommodate the expected increased ridership. During the weekend games there will be regularly scheduled 30-minute service along the Lakeshore East and Lakeshore West lines. GO Transit’s Trip Planner is available to help people plan travel at https://www.gotransit.com/en/trip-planning/plan-your-trip
Other ActiveTO locations that are in place today through Sunday, August 1 at 9 p.m. for people to enjoy and get outside for exercise include Lake Shore Boulevard East (eastbound lanes), between Leslie Street and Woodbine Avenue, The Meadoway in Scarborough (Brimley Road to Scarborough Golf Club Road), roads within High Park as well as Lake Shore Boulevard West.
SOURCE City of Toronto
Other articles from totimes.ca – otttimes.ca – mtltimes.ca
