Toronto traffic has reached crisis level, poll data reveal
Toronto traffic has reached the point of a congestion crisis, according to the Toronto Region Board of Trade, whose new numbers warn of a significant impact on the city’s economy.
Data collected for the board by polling firm Ipsos indicate that growing gridlock is prompting a segment of the workforce to consider leaving the GTHA, with 53 per cent of respondents indicating they have contemplated relocating in order to escape congestion.
“It’s mind-boggling to see those kinds of numbers,” Board of Trade president Giles Gherson told CTV News Toronto.
“What we’re hearing in general is that it is a crisis. And that it is the priority for a lot of people.”
The statistics suggest significant pressures on the ability of business to maintain both top talent and footprints within the core.
Sixty-two per cent of respondents said they are reluctant to travel to work because of congestion-related delays. Of the age group 18-34, a key talent demographic, 64 per cent have considered moving away, threatening a developing workforce exodus.
Residents, meanwhile, indicate that stifling travel times have forced them to alter their routines and avoid activities that benefit the economy. Forty-two per cent of respondents said they avoid shopping or attending sports or entertainment events because of the traffic; 38 per cent refrain from dining out, and 31 per cent avoid visiting family and friends.
The change in consumer behavior signals possible losses in both revenue and jobs in the retail and hospitality sectors, stalling the downtown’s recovery and economic growth more broadly.
Forty-six per cent of drivers reported that their commutes take longer today than a year ago, and 62 per cent are reluctant to travel to work because of it, counter to a growing employer attempt to bring workers back into the office three or more days a week.
The majority of respondents cited construction as the main cause of congestion, with three-quarters indicating support for 24-hour roadwork or public transit construction in order to hasten the schedules.
It comes as Toronto city council awaits a plan for accelerating the rehabilitation of the Gardiner Expressway. The three-year lane closure between Dufferin St. and Strachan Ave. that began in April incited outcry as drivers reported unprecedented increases to commute times, later confirmed to be as high as 250 per cent.
The city staff plan for expediting the rebuild of the western Gardiner was scheduled to be presented to the Mayor’s executive committee Tuesday, though as of Monday night the report had not been published.
The Toronto Region Board of Trade, meanwhile, has assembled a congestion task force that is working to develop an action plan to combat the growing gridlock, scheduled to be released early next year.
“There’s a sense that the City has not come to grips with this,” Gherson said.
“Congestion is very much uppermost in people’s minds, and they want it resolved.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
An attack at a festival in a German city kills 3 people and wounds at least 5 seriously
An attacker with a knife killed three people and seriously wounded at least five late on Friday at a festival in the western German city of Solingen, authorities said.
Teamsters challenge minister's move to resume rail service as shutdown drags on
Rail workers fought back Friday against the federal government's move to get them back on the job, with a fresh strike notice and a regulatory challenge making it unclear when most freight traffic will resume.
Body found in Ont. identified as B.C. woman who went missing 19 years ago
A body discovered in a wooded area near Rockwood, Ont. has finally been identified as a missing British Columbia woman.
Right to enjoy property doesn't trump freedom of expression: 'Freedom Convoy' defence
In a contest between the Charter-protected freedom of expression and Ottawa residents' right to the enjoyment of their property, there is no contest, the lawyer for 'Freedom Convoy' organizer Tamara Lich argued Friday.
Ontario woman thought she spent $39 on theatre tickets. She didn't. Here's what happened
An Ontario woman paid seven times more for her theatre tickets than she thought she did. 'I was shocked. I had no idea the tickets were going to cost that much.'
Judge rules Breonna Taylor's boyfriend caused her death, dismisses some charges against ex-officers
A federal judge has thrown out major felony charges against two former Louisville officers accused of falsifying a warrant that led police to Breonna Taylor's door before they fatally shot her.
Neighbours disgusted by Nazi flag at Kitchener, Ont. home
Residents living in a Kitchener, Ont. neighbourhood are speaking out about a Nazi flag that was seen flying outside a home on their street.
Windsor Spitfires welcome Keanu Reeves to its roster
An infamously wholesome Canadian star is in Windsor, and is living up to his reputation.
RFK Jr. suspends his presidential bid and backs Donald Trump before appearing with him at his rally
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspended his independent campaign for the White House and endorsed Donald Trump on Friday, a late-stage shakeup of the race that could give the former president a modest boost from Kennedy's supporters.