A North Toronto city councilor wants the city to address one of the things that frustrate drivers the most in this city – traffic jams caused by closed lanes where no construction work is actually taking place.
Count. James Pasternak’s motion, which was approved at this week’s council meeting, calls for staff to tackle road construction projects that close lanes almost indefinitely.
“We are seeing more and more neglected and unmaintained road construction throughout the city,” Pasternak’s proposal said.
“My office has received complaints from numerous constituents expressing concern about seemingly vacant jobs, sometimes showing tools, machinery and construction materials strewn about.”
Pasternak’s proposal comes as traffic returns to pre-pandemic levels in a city that has long struggled with roads clogged with construction. He’s urging staff to review all road projects, paying particular attention to what he calls “abandoned construction sites,” and to ensure crews stick to the schedules they’ve submitted to the city.
Count. James Pasternak’s proposal for the city to have better police lane closures for road construction, especially what he calls “abandoned” sites, was passed by council this week. (Mike Smee/CBC)
“We need enforcement,” Pasternak told CBC Toronto.
“We also need to get our ambassadors to come out and meet the subcontractor and tell them that this is unacceptable and that there could be consequences down the road, such as fines or loss of contracts.”
‘It’s dangerous’
One of the groups Pasternak hears from is the Downsview-Roding Community Group, headed by Mark Tenalia, who lives near Wilson Avenue between Keel and Jane streets.
Traffic jams there are an all-day, daily affair, Tenalia says, because two of the road’s four lanes have been closed for maintenance for about a month, work that seems to happen rarely.
“We’re absolutely sick of it,” Tenalia said. “You can imagine people coming home from work and being stuck on that two kilometer stretch of road for half an hour or even more.”
Besides the inconvenience for drivers, Tenalia and Pasternak say roads that are impassable because they’re congested with traffic can hinder emergency vehicles. Tenaglia points to an entrance to a Wilson paramedic station that is regularly blocked by stopped traffic.
“It’s dangerous,” Tenalia said. “Imagine having emergency services trying to get through that stretch of road that has all this construction.”
Tenaglia also worries about frustrated drivers who abandon Wilson and instead speed through nearby residential streets.
He says Wilson isn’t the only street in the area that appears to be closed for no reason.
Lane closures due to construction make drivers nervous, especially when no construction is taking place. This closed lane is at 401 Jane St. (Mike Smee/CBC News)
“We have a lot of construction going on in the side streets, water changes, sewer services and things like that,” he said.
“They have taken out the pipes, put in new ones, but the streets have not necessarily been renewed. So you have terrible, terrible driving conditions and a lot of construction that is kind of unfinished.”
Lane closures for safety, road builders say
As for the people who say road construction is a normal part of life in Toronto?
“I know we have to upgrade the services and stuff,” Tenalia said.
“When we have a site that’s been abandoned I can’t even remember how long it’s been, and then that creates a risk to the community,” he added.
“It’s just unacceptable.”
The Ontario Road Builders Association disputes the idea that construction sites have been abandoned. The association says lane closures only happen with a street use permit from the city, and if lanes are closed, it’s usually for safety reasons.
“The safety of both workers and the general public is a top priority for all parties,” John Savoia, chairman of the association’s health and safety committee, said in a statement.
“All the closed lanes that have been installed are there to protect something and someone, whether it’s during or after business hours.”
As for closing Wilson, city staff told CBC Toronto that the headaches should be over soon.
“The city contractor encountered underground conflicts while upgrading the storm and sanitary sewer system that runs under Wilson Avenue,” the statement said.
“To ensure the safety of both workers and residents in the area, construction has been halted and designs have been reviewed. Work is expected to resume within two weeks and be completed within three months.”
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