Friday’s PM Rush Hour Could See Commuter Chaos Downtown
Posted May 28, 2009 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Friday rush hours are usually pretty bad in the heart of the downtown core. The one that’s coming this week could be even worse than usual. As you’re looking to escape for your weekend, a series of events will make it that much harder for you to avoid the gridlock.
The biggest crush could well be around the Metro Convention Centre, where heavy security will be in place for the arrival of former U.S. presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Both are here to make speeches but expect plenty of protestors to gather outside and have their say, too, creating troubles on the streets around the facility.
The worst of it will come when they arrive, with the event lasting from about 3pm-6pm, but security preparations will be in place well before that.
A bike race affecting the routes around the St. Lawrence Centre – including Front and the Esplanade – will have access to some streets blocked from 4pm to 11pm. Thousands of people are expected for the Toronto Criterium, which is actually three separate races around a specific route. See the affected area here.
While all that’s going on, the limping Jays are finally back home after their worst road trip in history. They’ll try to reverse an 0-9 record in a key rematch with the Boston Red Sox. The terrific early showing for the team has caused a high demand for tickets and big crowds are expected, further swelling the number of people downtown.
That means if you haven’t picked up your tickets or plan to try to get some at the last minute, you’re likely to experience delays at the Rogers Centre. Officials are asking those who don’t have their admissions yet to arrive early or risk missing some innings.
It’s the perfect storm of events and it means getting out of the city on the last workday of a long week may take even longer.
Police are asking drivers in the affected areas to leave early, take what are sure to be already overcrowded alternate routes, or prepare to be patient. Because no matter what happens on Friday, there likely won’t be much of a “rush” in your rush hour.
Photo credit: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
