Read this interesting summary from the office of Councillor Dianne Saxe
Hello,
On behalf of Councillor Dianne Saxe, I want to thank you for attending her April 16th town hall. We greatly enjoyed your questions and hope you found the evening’s proceedings informative. If you sent in a question ahead of time that we didn’t get a chance to address during the meeting, our staff will be following up with you in the coming days.Below is a brief summary of the key points discussed:
Town Hall Summary: Tackling Congestion in Toronto
At this month’s community town hall, Councillor Dianne Saxe welcomed residents alongside Toronto’s Chief Congestion Officer, Andrew Posluns, for a detailed discussion on traffic congestion, city planning, and transportation priorities.
Congestion: A Growing Challenge
Toronto’s continued growth — more residents, visitors, and development — means congestion is an ongoing and complex issue. Mr. Posluns emphasized that while this reflects a thriving city, unmanaged congestion affects quality of life, the economy, and the environment.
Early Progress
There are some encouraging signs:
• A 12% reduction in travel time delays during the most recent construction season
• Shorter road occupation times for construction projects
• Improved transit travel times through signal priority measures
Five Key Strategies to Reduce Congestion
The City’s updated congestion management plan focuses on:
1. Reducing Construction Disruptions
Better coordination of roadwork, new fees to limit road closures, and incentives to complete projects faster.
2. Expanding Traffic Management
Increasing traffic control agents, upgrading the traffic operations centre, and strengthening coordination with police for enforcement.
3. Improving Transit Reliability
Expanding transit signal priority and making surface transit faster and more dependable to encourage ridership.
4. Using Smart Technology
Introducing AI-powered traffic signals and “intelligent intersections” to manage traffic flow in real time.
5. Shifting Travel Behaviour
Encouraging transit use, cycling, and alternative commuting —especially during major events.
Balancing Competing Demands
A recurring theme was the challenge of balancing limited road space between cars, transit, cyclists, pedestrians, parking, deliveries, and construction. Each decision involves trade-offs that must consider local context and community input.
Development & Congestion
Residents raised concerns about rapid development, particularly near transit hubs. City staff confirmed that transportation impacts are reviewed for all projects, but increased density inevitably adds pressure to the system.
Enforcement & Road Use
Illegal parking, blocked intersections, and ride-hailing vehicles contribute significantly to congestion. The City is working more closely with Toronto Police, as enforcement presence has been shown to improve traffic flow.
Looking Ahead: FIFA World Cup
Toronto is preparing for major crowds during the 2026 FIFA World Cup:
• A “transit-first” approach (no parking at venues)
• Increased TTC service
• Traffic agents and coordinated operations centres
• Advance communication to help residents plan travel
Safety First
Mr. Posluns emphasized that congestion management is not just about moving cars — it’s about moving people safely across all modes, including walking, cycling, and transit.
What’s Next
Future work will focus on:
• Long-term planning for growth
• Better coordination across City divisions
• Exploring additional tools (including potential congestion pricing)
• Improved data and performance metrics
All the best,
Benjamin Dooley
Director of Communications
Office of Councillor Dianne Saxe
Ward 11- University-Rosedale
