November 3, 2010
EXCLUSIVE: No Other Buffalo, NY market media is carrying this story
The City of Toronto is adding a pedestrian priority phase to the intersection of Bloor Street and Bay Street on November 3, providing pedestrians with the opportunity to cross safely in any direction including diagonally.
The pedestrian priority phase has been implemented in a number of other cities and has reduced conflict between pedestrians and vehicles by separating the flow of traffic and the movement of pedestrians.
Pedestrian priority intersections (or “pedestrian scramble”) were approved for use by City Council in 2007 and the first was installed at Yonge Street and Dundas Street in 2008. The Bloor-Bay intersection is the third in the city to receive this technology and is being implemented at the completion of the Bloor Street reconstruction project.
To help ensure the smooth transition to a pedestrian priority phase at Bloor Street and Bay Street, Toronto’s Transportation Services division will:
- Adjust the timing of lights to allow pedestrians to safely clear the intersection
- Enhance the Accessible Pedestrian Signals to assist the blind and visually impaired
- Monitor the intersection to determine whether any adjustments need to be made.
More information about pedestrian initiatives is available at http://www.toronto.ca/transportation/walking.
Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America. Toronto has won numerous awards for quality, innovation and efficiency in delivering public services. Toronto's government is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents. For information about non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
