It may seem
quiet along St. Clair Avenue West as summer wanes, but people
interested in the fate of the street are preparing for a political
battle at City Hall. Groups for and against a transit-only right of
way along the six-lane avenue hope to sway city councillors leading
up to a special public session on September 13.
Last month, a
reader wrote me after visiting a street festival in the Corso Italia
area -- a hotbed of opposition to exclusive streetcar lanes. Some
businesses and residents say the TTC wants to put a “barrier” down
St. Clair, which they worry will slow car traffic, hurt business by
reducing parking spaces and send traffic onto side streets. The
proposed right of way would likely operate similarly to Spadina
Avenue and Queen’s Quay.
Dave Barrett of
Toronto writes, “While a friend and I were driving along St. Clair
Ave. on the morning of Sat. July 10, we noticed something rather
interesting. This of course was the weekend of the Corso Italia
Fiesta. During the evening, St. Clair was closed to all cars and
trucks so people could enjoy the events and activities. However, the
510 streetcar was able to run due to metal barricades set up along
the tracks in such a way that they formed... ‘the dreaded streetcar
right of way’.
“There were
open portions so that people could cross the street. For this whole
weekend, there were no left turns onto side streets from St. Clair,
and no parking during the street closure. There was no mass uprising
by the residents on the side streets due to the turning
restrictions.
“What if there
were an emergency during the evening party -- how would fire or
ambulance personnel get to the location? The right of way, of
course! I say this because that’s what happens on Spadina. All this
doom and gloom about ‘life changing as we now know it’ on St. Clair
Ave. seemed a world away during the weekend Fiesta.”
Transportation
planners have arrived at a preferred design for St. Clair after one
of the most extensive public consultations I’ve seen in Toronto.
Contrary to some claims that the process was all for show, the plan
appears to address a lot of the local concerns. 24-hour left turns
would be permitted at locations where they are currently banned
during rush hour. Parking would still be allowed along the street --
and to replace lost spots, the Parking Authority has already built
one small off-street lot near Bathurst.
There are of
course risks and potential downsides to any change, but I support
the right of way. Merchants are understandably concerned about
sales, and the city and TTC must think more creatively about aiding
business whenever construction occurs on streets. Good transit
usually means increased economic activity, and visiting motorists
will still be able to park.
But there is
also a risk if we simply replace the tracks and St. Clair stays as
it is now. By not dedicating street space exclusively to transit,
gradual increases in congestion may strangle car and transit
vehicles alike. Improving transit has two main ingredients --
frequency and reliability. While adding more streetcars to St. Clair
would help, it is even more crucial to make sure those cars run
evenly, aren’t short-turned so often and don’t bunch up behind
collisions or turning cars.
The varying
opinions of residents and shop owners along St. Clair must be heard,
and citizens across the city have a stake too. Leading up to several
crucial votes at City Hall in September, groups on both sides of the
issue will be lobbying the mayor and councillors. If you favour the
right-of-way, and want to help, go to
www.script2004.ca or call
416-535-1617. To support alternative plans, contact 416-651-0767 or
visit www.saveourstclair.ca.
Send e-mail to
transit@eddrass.com.
Include address and phone number.