Traffic changes

Background

One of our goals heading into the construction season this year was to improve safety and mobility for all road users traveling through downtown, while maintaining access to local businesses for people traveling by car. To do this, the City made temporary changes to traffic operations on Dundas Place using a "traffic diversion" approach.

In this arrangement, motor vehicles are restricted from entering Dundas Place at Ridout Street or Wellington Street. Instead, they have access to Dundas Place from Talbot, Richmond, and Clarence Streets to reach their destination. Vehicles are still able to exit Dundas Place at Ridout and Wellington Streets. The image below illustrates how this works.

With the construction season coming to an end, the traffic diversion arrangement was removed in late December, and the street returned to previous conditions. This was timed to follow the reopening of King Street to general traffic and the final Festival of Markets event, which required weekend restrictions to motor vehicles in the Ridout to Talbot Street block of the flex street.

As part of mitigation planned for 2022 core construction, which includes Phase 2 of the Downtown Loop (rapid transit) on Queen’s Avenue and Ridout Street, the traffic diversion arrangement will be reinstated on Dundas Place in spring of 2022.

The City completed a monitoring and consultation study, which found the arrangement to be effective in achieving its objectives. The findings were summarized in a recent report to City Council, which you can find in the 'Council and Committee Reports' area of this page.

Findings

The feedback on the Dundas Place 2021 temporary construction mitigation traffic diversion is predominantly positive. The survey feedback identifies broad popularity, particularly amongst those who visit Dundas Place. Business owner/operator feedback was mixed between those that supported or are ambivalent and those that preferred removal.

While motor vehicle traffic volumes were reduced by around a quarter, Dundas Place visitors increased significantly through the year, particularly higher numbers of people walking and bicycling, totalling close to double the number of vehicles. It is hard to correlate the street activity to road changes given the short history of Dundas Place and the overwhelming influence of the pandemic restrictions; however, this and other data sources will form a baseline to measure future Dundas Place success.

With respect to transportation and mobility considerations, the influence of the traffic diversion creates a more suitable connection between newly constructed cycle tracks on both ends of Dundas Place. The unique design of Dundas Place supplemented by the traffic calming influence of the traffic diversion creates a street environment that is more conducive to all ages and abilities cycling and walking and completes this component of the East-West Bikeway.

Frequently asked questions

Could traffic diversion be a longer-term solution for the flex street, beyond 2022 construction?

After the 2022 construction season has finished, future use of the traffic diversion model can be considered as a flex street tool, taking into consideration Dundas Place activations and operations, as well as the status of any potential remaining pandemic measures.

What is the proposed traffic detour for Queens Avenue and Ridout Street, which is phase two of the Downtown Loop? Is it Dufferin Street?

The Downtown Loop Phase 2 project is generally divided into three stages:

Stage 1 – Ridout Street – from south of King Street to Fullarton Street.

Stage 2 – Queens Avenue – from Ridout Street to Richmond Street.

Stage 3 – Queens Avenue – from Richmond Street to Wellington Street.

Due to the scale of the project, it is expected that two stages may need to be completed during the same period and may not necessarily follow the order noted above.

The project is further subdivided into multiple substages, to maintain traffic flow through the area as well as property access to the extent possible. Some full road and intersection closures will be required to complete the work.

The final construction staging plan and detailed construction schedule will be available in early 2022, once a contractor has been awarded the contract.

Dufferin Avenue will be the primary designated detour route for Queens Avenue.

How will westbound traffic exit the downtown during 2022 construction?

Westbound traffic will be able to exit the downtown using Queens Avenue. Construction staging is such that access to Queens Avenue, from Dufferin Avenue, will be maintained in at least one location along the corridor.

Will the intersection of Ridout Street and Queens Avenue be maintained?

The contractor will be required to maintain one lane of traffic through the Ridout Street and Queens Avenue intersection at all times. Localized, short-term closures may be required to facilitate servicing or utilities crossings.

How is York St / Stanley St / Wharncliffe St and the reconstruction of the CN underpass at Wharncliffe impact alternate egress from the downtown to points west?

Major traffic impacting work on the Wharncliffe Grade Separation project is not anticipated to occur until after Ridout Street is reopened to traffic.

How does the Victoria bridge replacement (Ridout Street at the Thames River, near London Hydro), which is planned for 2022, also impact movement into and out of the downtown?

Replacement of the Victoria Bridge (Ridout Street over the Thames River) will require the closure of the road to vehicles beginning in the spring of 2022 for approximately a year. A temporary bridge will be provided for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the river during this closure. This project will be tendered soon and after the construction contract has been awarded more information and a detailed construction schedule will be available. This work is being coordinated for completion prior to major traffic impacts associated with the Wharncliffe Road Underpass which will begin in late 2022.[RA1]

Will Blackfriars Bridge be open to traffic coming into the downtown?

The conversion of Blackfriars Bridge to a pedestrian and cycling space was a pandemic response to support physical distancing considering the high pedestrian volumes and confined sidewalk.

As per the November 17 council resolution, staff have reopened Blackfriars Bridge to vehicles, while staff undertake a long-term usage study and further consultation with the community. More information about the study scope and public engagement opportunities will shared in the coming weeks. In the meantime, a Get Involved webpage has been launched so interested parties can sign up for updates related to this process.