Drivers Facing Many Roadblocks On The Streets This Weekend
Posted September 5, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The problem for drivers in the downtown core came early and often on Friday. Two frosh week parades (left) by Ryerson and U. of T. students kept a large part of the downtown core – including parts of Bloor, Yonge, University and Wellesley – tied up for hours.
And that was just a preview of the weekend to come. The city is playing host to a plethora of late summer festivals and depending on where you’re planning to go on Saturday and Sunday, it could prove a real headache for your travel plans. Add to it the ongoing problems on the 401 and it will hardly be a ‘going’ concern wherever you’re headed.
Here are the places to watch out for:
The 10th annual Taste of the Kingsway will see Bloor St. W. from Montgomery Rd. to Prince Edward Dr. close from 2pm Friday until 2am Sunday.
Royal York Rd., which is right in the centre of the event, will stay open.
Another procession will be a test of faith for those behind the wheel – but not for the participants. The annual “Festival of Praise” parade leaves Queen’s Park at 2pm Saturday and takes up half the roadway on the following routes:
- Northbound on Queen’s Park Cres. E. (northbound lanes),
- Eastbound, Bloor St. W., (eastbound lanes),
- Southbound Yonge St. (southbound lanes),
- Westbound, College St. (westbound lanes),
- Northbound, Queens Park Cr. E. (northbound lanes),
- Back to Queen’s Park.
Police will be on hand to do traffic control at major intersections so while the roads won’t be completely closed, they will be busier than normal for a weekend and you will be delayed.
The Junction Arts Festival shuts off Dundas St.W. from Keele St. to Clendenan Ave., from 7am Saturday to 11pm Sunday. The show features free concerts and shows at a number of different stages.
The Cabbagetown Festival shuts off access to Parliament St., from Gerrard to Wellesley on Saturday between 8:30am to 10:30pm and for 12 hours on Sunday from 10:30 in the morning to the same time at night. This one has a pretty eclectic mix, including an arts and crafts sale and a charity run.
And it’s a busy area but at least it’s a Sunday, it’s short – and it’s for a good cause. The Blue Knights Toy Ride cuts off Bay St., from Queen to Dundas St. W., on Sunday from 9am to 12:30pm. The ride consists of firefighters, paramedics and police, all taking a spin on motorcycles, to raise toys for underprivileged kids this Christmas.
There’s another event this weekend that won’t stop traffic but might slow things down. And it involves not driving but walking – and a lot of it. This is the ‘ Weekend to End Breast Cancer‘ and thousands will try to do that as they march from Exhibition Place downtown all the way to Downsview Park near Sheppard and Keele on Saturday.
They’ll spend the night there, before getting up and going back to where they started the next morning, a total of 60 kilometres.
There won’t be any road closures as a result of the marathon march, but you could be delayed if you’re near the kick-off point at Strachan Avenue and Lakeshore Blvd. W. when the event kicks off around 7:15am Saturday.
Look for bright pink ribbons tied to trees and posts all over town, helping to guide participants along the right route.
