The City of Toronto is appealing for public feedback on a series of proposed changes to Yonge Street, including one-way sections, "pedestrian priority" zones, and the addition of cycling tracks.
Public feedback informed the plan that has now been brought forward for the major downtown corridor. The city says the series of proposed changes prioritizes pedestrians, provides more protection for cyclists, and maintains access for transit, deliveries, ride hailing and parking garages.
"The City of Toronto is studying ways to increase pedestrian space and improve the way people move through and experience Yonge Street between College/Carlton Street and Queen Street," the city's website explains.
"The watermain beneath Yonge Street will soon need replacing and this construction provides an opportunity to consider a new street design to better serve everyone."
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Below is a map that represents proposed daytime operation, which would be in effect from 6 am to 1 am. Overnight, there would be two-way driving access for buses, cars and trucks on all blocks, the city says.
The plan also includes a cycle track on University Avenue from College Street to Adelaide Street.
Coined "yongeTOmorrow," the proposed changes are available to view in full on the City of Toronto website. Some of the specific modifications the Yonge Street corridor could see include:
- Two-way driving access with cycle tracks between Carlton-College Streets and Gerrard Street.
- One-way driving access from Gerrard Street to Walton Street
- One-way driving access (southbound) from Elm Street to Edward Street
- Pedestrian Priority from Edward Street to Dundas Square
- One-way driving access (northbound) from Dundas Square to Shuter Street
- Two-way driving access from Shuter Street to Queen Street (this block would remain unchanged)
What's more, based on prior feedback received, additional consideration for cycling has been added to the Recommended Design Concept, including:
- A separated cycling facility between College Street and Gerrard Street.
- On blocks with one-way driving access, the lane in the opposing direction is available for cycling.
Where TTC services are concerned, the 97B day bus service within the focus area would, in alignment with the proposed changes, be discontinued or rerouted. Discussions with the TTC are ongoing, the city says, and 320 night bus service would be maintained.
There are no proposed changes to streetcar routes, and subway service will not be impacted.
To have your say with regards to the proposed changes to Yonge Street, you should review the consultation material and register online for Public Event #3; the virtual meeting will take place on September 16 from 6:30 pm to 8 pm. Lastly, you are also asked to complete the online questionnaire.
Full details on the proposal can be found online here, and the comment deadline ends on September 30 at 11:59 pm. Following this round of consultations, feedback will be reviewed, and the findings will be brought to City Council in December.
