Mayor John Tory says city plan to improve traffic flow is showing results

Toronto Mayor John Tory went to a downtown intersection on Monday to bring attention to the second phase of his plan to improve traffic flow in the city.

Tory said the congestion management plan is making a difference.

"Everything we can do to make traffic even move a little bit better is meaningful to people who are trying to get around this city," Tory told reporters.

Under the second phase of the plan, Toronto police officers are being stationed at key intersections during peak periods, including morning and afternoon rush hours, starting on Monday for four weeks. The officers will direct traffic, ensure vehicles do not block intersections and try to prevent illegal left turns.

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Tory told reporters that the officers, dubbed traffic assistant personnel, are helping to improve the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. He said the presence of officers has led to fewer prohibited turns by drivers and the city has learned from the first phase of its congestion management plan.

"It really was a help in managing both drivers but also managing pedestrians," he said. "So far, so good, in terms of our learning."

The mayor reminded pedestrians that when the numbers appear on the pedestrian signals, they are not supposed to begin crossing on the crosswalk. The idea is to leave some time for vehicles to turn and to keep pedestrians safe.

Tory announced in June the details of a pilot project that involved sending police officers to certain intersections in the city to ease gridlock and boost pedestrian and cyclist safety. The first part of the project was carried out for four weeks in July. The second pilot project began Monday morning.

The intersections where the officers will be located are: Bay and Queen Streets, Front and Simcoe Streets, Sheppard Avenue and Yonge Street, Front Street and University Avenue, Bay and Bloor Streets, University Avenue and Adelaide Street, and Bay Street between Front Street and Bloor Street.