The new Toronto intersection will be protected: the city

A major intersection in downtown Toronto is getting a complete makeover in a first-of-its-kind design for the city.

As part of street improvements from Avenue Road and Spadina Avenue to Bloor Street West, the intersection of Bloor and St. George near the University of Toronto will become a protected intersection by summer 2024.

Also known as a Dutch intersection, this type of intersection prioritizes the safety of cyclists as they are designed to keep bicycles separate from vehicles until they converge at the intersection.

In a public presentation earlier this month, city officials said it would provide “a high degree of comfort and safety for people of all ages and abilities.”

Cyclists will be given their own right-of-way through this intersection, while pedestrians will have a shorter and “safer” distance to cross.

A video presentation of the Bloor Street redesign shows the new intersection will have dedicated bike signals, corner guard islands, wide crosswalks and right-turn lanes for vehicles.

According to the city, guarded intersections reduce the chance for motorists to make high-speed turns, improve sight lines for all road users, and reduce the amount of time bicyclists and pedestrians spend on the road “causing collisions” with vehicles.

Beyond the guarded intersection, the city is working to improve bike lanes in the area, as well as add new TTC stops and green infrastructure parkland.

According to city officials, construction will be completed next summer, with most of the work completed by the end of 2023.

During this time, there will be no parking in the construction zones, as well as street parking within the road closed signs, the city administration noted.

– CP24 with Aisling Murphy files