Toronto eyes $111M traffic plan targeting gridlock

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Toronto is aiming to spend over $111 million in a bid to reduce city gridlock.

MoveTO, announced Thursday by Mayor John Tory and Councillor James Pasternak, is a five-year action plan centred around five proposals meant to improve traffic flow.

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These include installing 500 smart traffic signals, 100 intelligent intersections, 500 signals utilizing Advanced Transit Signal Priority, establishing a ‘smart communte’ transportation demand strategy, and continued growth of the construction hub pilot project.

“We have already implemented major changes with transportation services and working with the TTC to create the RapidTO program, which we rolled out in Scarborough just recently.” Tory said.

“But we do know that there is more work to be done.”

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The plan, which requires approval of the city’s infrastructure and environment committee before being put to council, is being pitched as part of the city’s pandemic response plan, “in response to the effects of COVID-19 in Toronto’s overall transportation network.”

While traffic volumes fell at the beginning of the pandemic, Tory said they’re slowly returning to normal.

The signals and intersections will use technology to monitor traffic levels in real-time, and make adjustments accordingly to optimize traffic flow.

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Toronto has been piloting intelligent intersection technology as early as 2017 along both Yonge St. and Sheppard Ave. E.

Tory listed Victoria Park Ave., York Mills Rd., Lawrence Ave. and Lake Shore Blvd. as priority thoroughfares for the program.

The proposal goes before the transportation committee on Nov. 5.

bpassifiume@postmedia.com
On Twitter: @bryanpassifiume