Work will begin in October to re-make the intersection of Millwood Rd. and Laird Drive. It’s not likely many drivers are going to like the new configuration. The City will eliminate the Yield curve for traffic headed toward the Leaside Bridge from Millwood/Southvale. All turns at the T-junction will be controlled by traffic signals. Pedestrian crossings will be fitted with audible signals as required by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act The changes may make the corner safer for pedestrians but it seems certain to slow traffic. It may well cause the notorious crawl of traffic along Southvale Drive during afternoon rush hours to extend into other time frames. It will, however, prevent illegal tactics used at the Yield curve. Drivers are known to turn right at the Yield and then U-turn to head north on Laird. Other drivers use the curve to merge with, not yield to, Laird traffic heading south on green. The curve is very busy. Tuesday afternoon it saw a steady stream of cars, trucks, scooters and bicycles whizzing through the right-hand turn. Construction is said to be scheduled to start next Monday, but such timelines are chancy. It certainly is likely to go on for at least two months.
