The Pan Am Games have inflicted a new level of traffic woe onto the millions living in the Greater Toronto Area. 235 kilometres of the road network, that is crowded and taxing at best, is now under the temporary rules that bring some major restrictions.
Some of the restrictions began on June 29th, in an effort to prepare motorists. From now, until August 8th, the duration of the Pan Am & Para Pan Am Games, there will be 183 roads closed, lane restrictions, detours, and no parking enforced, in varying lengths of time, from two hours, to a day or two, to the duration of the Games. And all this with the higher volume of traffic due to the influx of visitors to the city.
For those who’ve experienced Toronto traffic it is hard to imagine. The practice phase of the restricted HOV lanes (High Occupancy Vehicles – with three or more people in the car) has been a shock to the grid as people sit bumper to bumper alone in cars taking 60 to 90 minutes more to commute.
Those who flout the HOV restriction are subject to fines ranging from $85 to $110 CDN. And there have been problems reported recently with the diamond-shaped icon painted on the designated HOV lanes, peeling off, so there may be some very interesting appeals in court in the future.
Public transit is the alternative, and it is being broadly promoted. Several recent improvements will go a long way to transporting people safely and comfortably. But for those who have little choice about using a car to get around during the big event, only patience will suffice.
The eventual outcome, however, could be more people getting accustomed to using those HOV lanes.
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