The City will close the short westbound lane of Fleet St. from Bathurst St. to Iannuzzi St. in an attempt to make driving and walking safer. The rather goofy arrangement of Lake Shore Blvd and Fleet St. side-by-side at the Bathurst intersection has created a sea of traffic confusion. The presence of streetcar tracks down the middle of Fleet does not make navigation any more intuitive. The odd configuration dates from a time when traffic planning was an unknown occupation as Toronto grew south front Front St. into Lake Ontario.
Starting Monday, November 25, the westbound lane of Fleet Street between Bathurst and Iannuzzi Streets will be permanently closed to all vehicular traffic. The lane will remain open for pedestrians and cyclists.
Permanently closing this 200-metre portion of westbound Fleet Street is a critical Vision Zero measure that will put into action prior City Council recommendations for normalizing the intersection at Fleet Street, Bathurst Street and Lake Shore Boulevard West.
The high-collision, five-arm intersection has long been a problematic location in the city’s road network for all modes of travel. It is dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists, confusing for drivers and delays two streetcar lines.
The multi-modal Vision Zero safety improvement will shorten crossing distances for pedestrians and reduce vehicle turns and transit delays. Additionally, it will improve operating conditions for the 509 and 511 streetcars.
The step will be followed by monitoring, installation of streetscaping features and a technical review of the larger intersection for future pedestrianization and public realm plans for the whole area.
