Crosswalks Under Scrutiny Over Safety Concerns
Posted September 6, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Toronto’s most dangerous crosswalks could receive a safety makeover worth $6.6 million.
A study by the city showed that speed limits are too fast near the marked crossings, there’s too much traffic, and the roads are too wide.
“They’re basically death traps,” contends city councillor Rob Ford. “They give people a false sense of security of crossing, you know, just pushing the button and walking across. Sometimes it’s the pedestrian’s fault for not pushing the button. Sometimes it’s the vehicle’s fault for not stopping.”
That means 37 crosswalks deemed the least safe would be replaced with traffic lights under the proposed plan, and another 216 would be enhanced.
One of the intersections where a crosswalk is being replaced with a traffic light is Islington Ave. and Golfdown Rd., where 11-year-old Holli-Lyne Toulouse was struck by a vehicle and killed in January.
“That was a very, very sad tragedy, which I think everyone feels for the family,” said Mayor David Miller. “Crosswalks are becoming less and less safe, and I’m pleased with this report because it’s going to make crossing the streets much safer.”
Area residents started a petition to get a traffic light installed there, and now it appears they’re getting their wish. The light will be built there this month.
As for the other proposed changes, they must be debated by city council Monday. If approved, they would occur over the next four years.
Pedestrian Crossovers That Could Be Replaced With Traffic Lights:
- Willowdale Avenue and Abitibi Avenue
- Birchmount Road at Staley Terrace
- Birchmount Road at Chelwood Road
- Port Union Road at Adenmore Road/Clappison Boulevard
- Birchmount Road at Bonniewood Road
- Brimley Road at Anson Avenue/Comrie Terrace
- Pharmacy Avenue at Bolster Avenue
- Morningside Avenue and Lawrence Avenue
- Scarborough Golf Club Road at Par Avenue
- Morningside Avenue at Danzig Street
- Royal York Road at Allanhurst Drive
- Scarborough Golf Club Road at Slan Avenue
- Bellamy Road North at Amarillo Drive
- Birchmount Road at Anaconda Avenue
- Danforth Road and North Woodrow Boulevard
- Martin Grove Road at Agatha Road
- McCowan Road and Anson Avenue
- Orton Park Road at Brimorton Drive
- Pharmacy Avenue at Innisdale Drive
- Scarborough Golf Club Road at Marcella Street
- Martin Grove Road and Garfella Drive
- Pharmacy Avenue at Singleton Road
- The West Mall at Holiday Drive
- Martin Grove Road and Vulcan Street
- Martin Grove Road at Lavington Drive
- McNicoll Avenue at Bramblebrook Avenue
- McNicoll Avenue at Hutchcroft Avenue
- Meadowvale Road at Euclid Avenue
- Middlefield Road at Orator Gate
- Bloor Street West and Neilson Drive
- Pharmacy Avenue and Chester Le Boulevard/Huntingdale Boulevard
- The Westway at Benbow Road
- The East Mall and Valhalla Inn Road
- Bloor Street West and Wilmar Road
- Martin Grove Road at Betteridge Lane
- Martin Grove Road at Dewitt Road
- The Westway and Saskatoon Drive
