Lyon Street may lose some of its roar if plans to partially close the street’s Queensway on-ramp to lessen daily traffic are put into action.
The partial closure of the on-ramp would minimize the number of commuters who use the street.However, a date to implement the change has not been scheduled by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.
“The Queensway is being developed in phases,” said MPP Yasir Naqvi, adding the downtown construction that would likely include the on-ramp in question has yet to begin.
Brandy Duhaime, the MTO’s regional communications co-ordinator wrote in an email: “The implementation of this closure is anticipated to be included with the future Highway 417 construction project from Nicholas Street to the Vanier Parkway.”
If the partial closure is employed, commuters would be restricted from entering the Queensway by a one-armed gate, usually used for emergency detours.
The gate would be the first of its kind to have permanent status on the Queensway and its efficiency would be closely monitored by the MTO, says Duhaime.
Plans for the closure are a result of a 2007 study done by the MTO, which examined the design and environmental aspects of the Queensway.
The study concluded that planned changes would “improve safety, enhance mobility and reduce congestion.”
The plans are the result of an observed conflict between commuters entering the Queensway at the Lyon Street on-ramp and those exiting at Bronson Street.
The study found drivers tended to drive faster during off hours when fewer cars are on the road, creating a potential hot spot for accidents.
Keeping the Lyon Street on-ramp open during rush hour will help ensure a healthy flow of traffic and keep the downtown from becoming congested, she added.
Greg Kent, the city’s program manager of traffic management, says commuters unable to use the on-ramp when it is closed will travel down Catherine Street and enter the Queensway at the Bronson on-ramp.
“There is capacity on Catherine Street to accommodate that increase,” says Kent.