Toronto closing over 10 km of major roads to make room for outdoor activities this weekend

ActiveTO road closures are back in Toronto this weekend.

The ActiveTO program was developed by Toronto Public Health and Transportation Services to provide more space for people to be physically active and improve physical distancing as part of the City’s restart and recovery in the wake of COVID-19.

Vehicle access on these sections of major roads will not be permitted to allow for walking, running and biking, according to the City of Toronto.

This weekend, more than 10 kilometres of ActiveTO Major Roads will again be closed, from Saturday, June 13 at 6 am until Sunday, June 14 at 11 pm.

The road closures are:

• Lake Shore Boulevard West (eastbound lanes only) from Windermere Avenue to Stadium Road. As a result, the eastbound Gardiner Expressway off ramp to Lake Shore Boulevard West (exit #146) will also be closed.
• Lake Shore Boulevard East (eastbound lanes only) from Leslie Street to just south of Woodbine Avenue (Kew Beach Avenue)
• Bayview Avenue from Front Street East to Rosedale Valley Road, and River Street from Gerrard Street East to Bayview Avenue.

The City says it will actively manage traffic during these closures through signal timing adjustments on adjacent routes and roadway signage to alert drivers.

Drivers who normally travel these roads on weekends should plan alternate routes.

And for those expecting to use the major road closures to cycle, run or walk should access them by bike or as a pedestrian, since nearby parking is limited and site parking is not provided.

“Major road closures are installed adjacent to City trails to make space for people, alleviate weekend and holiday crowding, and ensure there is room to be physically active and support physical distancing. These closures continue to happen on a trial basis and staff are actively monitoring nearby routes and adjusting the closures as necessary,” says the City.

Along with the major road closures, ActiveTO includes a plan for 65 kilometres of Quiet Streets across the city.

Quiet Streets are neighbourhood streets where traffic calming measures, such as signage and temporary barricades, are placed at intersections to encourage slow, local vehicle access only so that the roadway can be a shared space that also welcomes people who walk, run and bike. Parking and drop off areas are not impacted, and City services, such as waste collection and emergency access, continue as normal.