The temporary high-occupancy vehicle lanes that were put in place for the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games will be removed on Tuesday.
The lanes were put in place on major Toronto roadways including the Don Valley Parkway, Gardiner Expressway and Highway 401. The HOV lanes were created to help athletes and officials get to and from events during the Games, while encouraging carpooling with the advantage of access to the temporary lanes.
During the Pan Am Games, the lanes were only accessible to accredited vehicles, motorcycles, taxis, public transit, emergency vehicles and those vehicles with three or more occupants. For the Parapan Am Games, vehicles with two or more occupants could use the lanes.
The lanes will remain in effect for the Tuesday rush hours, but restrictions will be lifted at 11 p.m.
As the lane restrictions are lifted, a construction project put on hold for the Games will resume on the Gardiner Expressway. Though the HOV lanes will no longer be in place, traffic will be reduced from three lanes to two in each direction of the Gardiner starting Aug. 19.
The lane reductions will be between Bathurst Street and Strachan Avenue, and are expected to last until mid-October. During construction, the city recommends alternative travel options including cycling, public transit, carpooling and travelling outside of rush hours.
