For several years, there has been interest in adding a pedestrian scramble to the intersection of Yonge and Eglinton. It is one of the busiest intersections in the city of Toronto, and at long last, the construction mayhem of the Crosstown has ceased there.
As Councillor Josh Matlow noted in his November 2024 newsletter, “A count taken by the City on May 24th of this year found that 40,372 pedestrians crossed the intersection in one day -the highest total observed at any intersection in Toronto between 2020-2024. During peak periods there are often queues at corners leading to residents waiting more than one traffic light phase just to cross the street.”
Councillor Matlow has been a staunch advocate for the scramble, making a motion that was seconded by Councillor Mike Colle and approved by City Council to have the City’s transportation services department evaluate a Yonge-Eglinton scramble.
It was a great surprise to read a report from the general manager of transportation services, which acknowledged that the intersection more than met the criteria for a scramble, yet refused to implement one.
SEDRA wrote a letter of support for a scramble, to the City’s Infrastructure and Environment Committee. We drew on the excellent analysis of Walk Toronto who have also been advocating for this scramble.
Yonge and Eglinton was already the busiest pedestrian intersection in Toronto before construction began on the LRT, despite the existence of the tunnels. The many new developments in the immediate area will bring thousands of additional residents to the area. The Crosstown can be expected to bring even more people to Yonge and Eglinton. The tunnels will be of limited use to anyone seeking to get anywhere in the immediate area. This is nothing like the PATH network downtown.
The crowded southern corners, most of all the southwest corner at the subway exit, are a real danger now. As the staff report admits, this is a primary reason for implementing a scramble.
City Council’s Infrastructure and Environment Committee decided to refer the matter back to Transportation Services to be reconsidered once the Eglinton Crosstown LRT is operating.
To have your say on the need for a scramble, contact Councillor Matlow and Councillor Colle.