Item - 2024.TE17.39

The Toronto and East York Community Council:

1. Requested the General Manager, Transportation Services to conduct a comprehensive intersection safety review at Bloor Street West and Dufferin Street, and report back to the Toronto and East York Community Council by January 14, 2025 with proposed near-term changes to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety.

2. Requested the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission and the Executive Director, FIFA World Cup 2026 Secretariat, investigate the installation of geometric safety improvements at Bloor Street West and Dufferin Street as part of the accelerated implementation of the RapidTO surface transit priority project on Dufferin Street.

The intersection of Bloor Street West and Dufferin Street sits at the centre of a rapidly growing neighbourhood. More and more residents are walking or cycling through this intersection to get around our city. With the Bloor-Dufferin development set to be complete in the coming years, the amount of traffic in this area will significantly increase.  

Unfortunately, despite this intersection being an important neighbourhood connection, it is unsafe for pedestrians crossing and cyclists travelling through. The wide curb radius and lack of physical protection have resulted in dangerous incidents and near misses.

In early August, a truck driver making a prohibited right turn struck and seriously injured a cyclist travelling through the intersection. This incident should have never occurred, and I am grateful the cyclist survived. There is an urgent need for immediate improvements to ensure these collisions do not happen again.