Coun. James Pasternak’s motion, which was approved at this week’s council meeting, calls for staff to address road construction projects that close lanes almost indefinitely. “We are seeing more and more neglected and unattended road construction sites throughout the city,” Pasternak’s proposal states. “My office has received complaints from many constituents expressing concerns about seemingly empty construction sites, sometimes with tools, machinery and construction materials strewn about.” Pasternak’s move comes as traffic returns to pre-pandemic levels in a city that has long struggled with roads choked by construction. He’s calling on staff to review all road projects, paying particular attention to what he calls “abandoned construction sites” and making sure crews stick to the schedules they’ve presented to the city. Coun. James Pasternak’s proposal to better close off city police road construction lanes, particularly what he calls “abandoned” locations, was approved by the city council this week. (Mike Smee/CBC) “We need enforcement,” Pasternak told CBC Toronto. “We should also have our ambassadors go out and meet with the subcontractor and tell them that this is unacceptable and that there could be consequences in the future, such as fines or loss of contracts.”
‘It is dangerous’
One of the groups Pasternak heard from is the Downsview-Roding Community Group, led by Mark Tenaglia, who lives near Wilson Avenue between Keele and Jane streets. The traffic jam is an all-day, everyday affair, Tenaglia says, because two of the four lanes of the road have been closed for maintenance for about a month, work that rarely seems to happen. “We’re absolutely sick of it,” Tenaglia said. “You can imagine people coming home from work stuck on this two kilometer stretch of road for half an hour or more.” In addition to the inconvenience for drivers, Tenaglia and Pasternak both say roads that are impassable because they’re overloaded with traffic can hinder emergency vehicles. Tenaglia points to an entrance to a paramedic station in Wilson that is usually blocked by traffic. “It’s dangerous,” Tenaglia said. “Imagine you have emergency services trying to get through that stretch of road that has all that construction.” Tenaglia also worries about frustrated drivers who abandon Wilson and instead speed through nearby residential streets. He says Wilson isn’t the only road in the area that appears to be closed for little reason. Lanes closed due to construction frustrate drivers, especially when there is no construction. This closed lane is located at 401 Jane St. (Mike Smee/CBC News) “We have a lot of construction going on on the side streets, changing water, sewer services and things like that,” he said. “They took the pipes out, they put new ones in, but the roads don’t necessarily stand out. So, you have horrible, horrible driving conditions and a lot of construction that’s kind of unfinished.”
Lane closures for safety, road builders say
As for the people who say road construction is a normal part of life in Toronto? “I know we have to upgrade services and stuff,” Tenaglia said. “It’s when we have a site that’s been abandoned because I can’t even remember how long it’s been and then it creates a risk to the community,” he added. “It’s just unacceptable.” The Road Builders Association of Ontario disputes the idea that the construction sites have been abandoned. The association says lane closures are only done with a road occupancy permit from the city, and if lanes are closed, it’s usually for safety reasons. “The safety of both workers and the general public is the top priority of all parties,” said John Savoia, chairman of the association’s health and safety committee. “Any closure strip installed protects something and someone, whether it’s during working hours or after hours. As for Wilson’s closing, city staff told CBC Toronto that the headaches should soon end. “The city’s contractor encountered subsurface conflicts while upgrading the storm and sewer system located under Wilson Avenue,” the statement said. “To ensure the safety of both workers and residents in the area, construction has stopped and plans have been revised. Work is expected to resume within two weeks and be completed within three months.”
