As summer arrives in Toronto, police and city officials are launching a parking enforcement blitz across the city’s downtown core, targeting vehicles pulled up in no-stopping zones during rush hour.
On Monday, the City of Toronto and Toronto police jointly announced the two-week enforcement action, which will be concentrated on major arterial roads during rush hour.
“Stopping in a No Stopping Zone slows everyone down,” Mayor Olivia Chow said in a statement.
Get daily National news
“A single vehicle can be a big contributor to traffic congestion, especially on our busy downtown corridors. It’s important that everyone obeys the No Stopping signs in these clearly marked areas because we all have a role to play in keeping Toronto moving.”
Toronto is grappling with some of the worst traffic in North America, exacerbated by years-long lane closures on the Gardiner Expressway for rehabilitation work. Reports from local business groups put the cost of congestion at almost $45 billion.
- University Bridge construction for Bus Rapid Transit plan starts in April
- Spike in cost of diesel threatens consumer wallets, global supply chain: experts
- Calgary hit by unexpected blast of spring snow, causing dozens of crashes
- Albertans’ interest in alternative forms of travel growing as fuel prices spike
The new enforcement blitz is designed to stop vehicles from blocking key routes, even to complete short deliveries or drop-offs. It will run for two weeks, with another one scheduled for September.
Vehicles found to be stopping those areas face a $190 ticket and the prospect of their car being towed, the city said.
The stepped-up enforcement will run until June 27 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. around Toronto’s downtown core.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.