Residents in Toronto’s Cabbagetown-South St. James Town neighborhood are facing increased challenges due to ongoing construction projects on Wellesley Street and Carlton Street. The construction on Wellesley Street has reduced the roadway to a single westbound lane between Parliament and Jarvis since May, while Carlton Street has been reduced to a single lane of eastbound traffic between Yonge and Church. These construction zones have caused disruptions in traffic and transit for residents, who have been dealing with continuous construction activities in the area. Sue Leaman, who usually takes the Carlton streetcar to work, expressed frustration over the prolonged construction, impacting people’s ability to move around the area.
Near Wellesley Street and Homewood Avenue, Sandra Kirstin, a local resident, voiced her discontent with the ongoing projects, citing inconvenience and extended timelines. She highlighted safety concerns due to sidewalk closures and the proximity of the two construction sites. Kirstin urged the city to improve planning for better coordination of construction projects to minimize disruptions.
Andrew Posluns, Toronto’s traffic czar, acknowledged the challenges of managing multiple infrastructure projects simultaneously. He explained the necessity of conducting various repairs in stages to address issues like electrical, water main, and track replacements. Matti Siemiatycki from the University of Toronto’s Infrastructure Institute pointed out the lack of coordination between construction projects and suggested better funding and extended working hours for contractors to expedite project completion.
While recent construction on the Gardiner Expressway finished ahead of schedule due to increased funding and prioritization of construction activities, Patrick McManus from the Greater Toronto Sewer and Watermain Contractors Association emphasized the need for balancing construction needs with public impact. He highlighted the importance of public acceptance of disruptions caused by construction activities.
Despite the challenges, construction on Wellesley and Carlton Streets is projected to be completed by December, aiming to alleviate the current inconveniences faced by residents in the neighborhood.