Whether you’re on transit or in a car, there’s nothing more frustrating than sitting in traffic. That’s time you could be spending with family, friends, or doing anything else.
The number one cause of congestion is construction: from new homes, infrastructure and transit. But all of that activity makes it harder to get around. The Toronto Region Board of Trade estimates that we lose billions in productivity each year due to congestion. And with Toronto adding about 270,000 new residents from 2023 to 2024 - it’s more important than ever that we find ways to get Toronto moving.
Mayor Olivia Chow is tackling congestion on our roads by:
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Faster construction on the Gardiner. 18 months ahead of schedule thanks to partnership with the province and 24/7 construction.
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Stronger incentives to make lane closures shorter. By making it more expensive to close off lanes, construction companies are getting out of our roads faster.
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Hiring 100 traffic agents. Stationed at key intersections at peak times, traffic agents keep cars, buses and people moving. They stop cars from “blocking the box.”
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Better coordination. Under Mayor Chow, the City has hired a Chief Congestion Officer and created a team to actively coordinate construction work by the City, Province, utilities and private companies, and manage major special events.