Need to go downtown? ‘Don’t drive if possible,’ city says. Here’s why

Toronto traffic gridlock, already among the worst in the world, is about to get even worse as downtown intersections start to close for Ontario Line construction, city officials say.

“While inconvenient, this transit progress is good news. There is no transit gain without some transit construction pain,” Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie told reporters Thursday at the city’s traffic control centre on Don Mills Road.

“The Ontario Line is an exciting and critically important expansion to Toronto’s public transit network.” The 15-stop line from the Ontario Science Centre to Exhibition Place is scheduled to be completed in 2031.

The first major construction closures start May 1, when Queen Street West shuts from Bay Street to Yonge Street, and Queen Street East shuts from Yonge to Victoria Street. Reopening is scheduled for 2027.

McKelvie said the city is taking steps to minimize traffic impacts, working closely with provincial transportation agency Metrolinx, which is building the line.

But she acknowledged the closure of downtown roads — increasingly jammed as traffic returns to pre-pandemic levels and hits routine roadwork and condo construction — will only worsen commuters’ headaches and frustration levels.

“This multibillion-dollar subway line will take time to build and create disruption. We need to be honest with people about that,” McKelvie said.

She urged commuters: “Plan ahead, don’t drive if possible,” and instead use public transit or walk or bike. For those who must drive, follow the signage and try if possible to make your trip outside rush hours, she said.

Transit users won’t escape disruption as the busy 501 Queen streetcar is rerouted around the closure.

Barbara Gray, the city’s transportation chief, said planning for the closures started long ago. “We knew this was going to be a big deal,” she said, adding pedestrian and cyclist convenience and safety were top priorities in the planning.

The city’s steps to minimize disruption include new “priority travel routes” around Ontario Line construction zones that will be kept clear of as many road restrictions as possible including non-emergency utility work. Dundas Street, from Jarvis Street to Bathurst Street, will be the first such route and be in place until at least 2024.

City staff will assess applications for lane-closing construction applications, including for condos, with an eye to minimizing disruption. Traffic signals will be modified, including a new pilot project whereby buses running behind schedule will be detected. Nearby green traffic signals will be extended to hurry them along.

McKelvie acknowledged the city is urging people to go downtown and help restore economic vibrancy lost during the pandemic while warning them that getting into the core will become even more difficult, especially for drivers.

She also expressed optimism that Metrolinx will stick to its construction and road closure schedule despite the delays that have plagued another major project.

In December, two midtown city councillors called for a public inquiry into years-delayed and overbudget construction of the Eglinton Crosstown light rail line that have inconvenienced residents and shuttered some businesses.

The call came after Metrolinx said the construction consortium building that line lacked “a credible plan toward the completion of the project.”

Asked how she can trust Metrolinx’s assurances about Ontario Line disruptions, McKelvie said: “There are regular meetings between the office of the mayor and the minister of transportation. Metrolinx is working very closely with TTC and with our city staff.

“All the different partners have a really good working relationship,” she said.

“We’re all going to work really, really hard to ensure that we’re reopening Queen Street back up in 2027.”

David Rider is the Star’s City Hall bureau chief and a reporter covering city hall and municipal politics. Follow him on Twitter: @dmrider

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