For Toronto drivers aggravated by slow-downs and traffic tie-ups due to summer road construction, there is some bad news: the worst is yet to come.
The first wave of summer road construction is underway, with all projects set to move into full swing by July, said Gordon MacMillan, City of Toronto Works supervisor.
The good news is that some of the projects are already ahead of schedule, including a project just off Highway 427 at Martin Grove Roadand Burnhamthorpe Road.
“We’re a few weeks ahead of schedule, and we’re anxious to get the job done,” said MacMillan.
But, the majority of resurfacing work has yet to begin, he said.
Major resurfacing projects slated to begin in July include:
- Finch Avenue, between Bayview Avenue and the Don River
- Wilson Avenue, between Dufferin Street and Keele Street
- Sherbourne Street, between King Street and Bloor Street
- Spadina Avenue, between Bremner Boulevard and King Street West, including TTC tracks replacement
- McCaul Street, between Queen Street West and Dundas Street
Will all the projects yet to come, there will be complaints, with the majority of them coming from small business owners, MacMillan said.
One of the concerned businesses is the Toyota dealership on Spadina Avenue.
“Obviously it will affect, but how badly, I don’t know,” said sales manager Kal Rais.
Many pedestrians also avoid the areas during construction time.
MacMillan said the city has contingency plans in place to deal with complaints during the resurfacing process.
“If it’s access to a driveway, or dust, we tend to handle it right in the field with our inspection staff,” MacMillan said. “If it’s bigger complaints, like loss of business, our project management staff in the office tend to deal with it, but our emphasis is usually to try to correct the problem as it happens.”
All told, the city has plans to resurface about 90 kilometres of road this summer, at a cost of about $200 million.
With files from CTV Toronto’s Natalie Johnson
