bay bloor scramble

Toronto staff wants to remove Bay Bloor scramble

The Bay/Bloor scramble is on its way out. Toronto city staff is recommending getting rid of the all-way signal, which allows pedestrians to cross the intersection from any direction, including diagonally.

The cost of scrapping the Bay/Bloor scramble is estimated at $26,000.

According to city staff the all-direction crossing has done little to help pedestrians while causing much grief for drivers.

A recent traffic study concluded that few people crossing at the intersection are actually using the all-way features.

According to the study the Bay/Bloor scramble has only saved pedestrians eight seconds of time while more than doubling rush hour wait times for drivers. With eastbound drivers facing the most delays in the afternoon rush hour, with waits up to five minutes.

The scramble has also doubled the number of accidents at the intersection.

Toronto has three scramble intersections, the other two are at Yonge/Dundas and Yonge/Bloor.

The recommendation to eliminate the Bay/Bloor scramble will be reviewed by Toronto's Public Works and Infrastructure committee on Feb. 23.

What do you think, should the Bay Bloor scramble be scrapped?

Follow Sima Sahar Zerehi on Twitter @SimaSaharZerehi.

Photo from Randy MacDonald via the blogTO flickr pool.


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