Signs and temporary barricades will be placed on neighbourhood streets to allow local car traffic only and open up space for people who walk, run, bike, and use wheelchairs. Initially, 50 Kilometres of neighbourhood streets will become Quiet Streets.
Quiet Streets are shared spaces for movement, activity, and physical distancing. They do not invite people to congregate or host social gatherings on the street.
The Quiet Streets program begins the week of May 11 and remains in place (both weekends and weekdays) until indicated by the City of Toronto.
Drive slowly - Traffic calming measures will be in place to keep speeds down. Drivers should be aware and expect to see pedestrians and cyclists on Quiet Streets.
Parking - People who are from the neighbourhood and normally park their cars on the street will still be able to park and travel as they normally would.
Quiet Streets are for local vehicles only. All others should avoid using the street and plan a different route.
Emergency vehicle access will be maintained at all times
Nearby TTC routes should not be impacted by Quiet Streets
Routine city services, such as garbage and recycling pickup, will continue on Quiet Streets as they normally would.
Shopping deliveries are considered local traffic that will continue on Quiet Street as they normally would.
Initially, Quiet Street locations will be identified using several factors including, but not limited to, population density, equity and access, access to green space, nearby parks, beaches, and other attractions, traffic volumes, and other information.
More information can be found at ActiveTO.
Some major roads, on a trial basis, that are adjacent to major trails where crowding on weekends and holidays has been observed, will be closed to most vehicle traffic using short-term road closures on weekends.
Weekend closures, that are not on a long weekend, beginning at 6 a.m. on Saturdays until 11 p.m. on Sundays. Locations will be announced in advance of the weekend and posted on the website.
The City of Toronto will be monitoring other nearby routes with real-time data and will make adjustments as necessary. The City will actively manage traffic during these closures through signal timing adjustments on adjacent routes as well as placing more roadway signage to alert drivers.
Motorists who would normally travel these roads on weekends should plan alternate routes.
Those expecting to use major road closures to be active should access them by bike or as a pedestrian since nearby parking is limited and on-site parking is provided.
When finalizing ActiveTO major road closures, special consideration is given to traffic impacts of planned construction, such as the work happening this weekend at Lake Shore Boulevard East and Lower Jarvis Street, and the annual spring maintenance closure of the Gardiner Expressway planned for the following weekend.
Expanding bikeways will help people on bikes move around Toronto safely and away from vehicle traffic. Key parts of the Cycling Network Plan will be expanded and accelerated, and temporary active lanes will be put in place so that bikeways are even more connected to the places people need to go.
For further information on locations, major road closures, Cycling Network Expansion, and Quiet Streets visit the City of Toronto website at: https://www.toronto.ca/activeTO