The kids are going to be done school and vacation time at work. What better way than to travel. The only thing standing between travelling and enjoying the summer is: construction. There are many constructions occurring in the summer which can be a problem for Torontonians.
There is a three month pilot project happening in the summer where two lanes one which is northbound and the other southbound will be closed from Richmond St. W to Wellesley St. W/Hoskin Ave. The project is to ensure that cyclists get their own lane alongside the inner media and that they are separated from motorized traffic. There will be a meter wide buffer and solid dividing posts. The project which will close lanes on University Ave is due to city hall wanting to build European style bike lanes. With lanes closing, it may take longer for traveling. Rocco Rossi, one of the candidates running for Mayor says that pulling the two lanes of University Ave is out of commission and is sheer madness which is a recipe for traffic gridlock and democratic insult to the people of Toronto.
If that doesn’t sound too bad, how about a closure of one of Toronto’s busiest highways? The traffic on Gardiner this summer will be very bad due to the upcoming closures. Due to the rebuilding of the Jameson Avenue Bridge, one of lanes in each direction will be forced to closer on the Western Gardiner till June 11 2010. The bridge will be demolished and replaced as the bridge is over 40 years old. By closing one of the busiest highways, travelling this summer or even getting around Toronto will be hard. It is expected that due to this closure, at least 30 percent of roads. The city is also planning on working on the Westbound Lake Shore Boulevard over the Gardiner starting August.
On the better note, Ontario place and Wonderland are now open. Some of the carnivals and must see shows that are coming up include the Toronto Festival of Clowns which will be on June 6 2010. Speaking of June, Pride week is coming up. Pride week occurs in late June. Pride week is the second-biggest gay pride celebration in the world. It attracts around one million people. On Canada Day, there will be celebrations at Harborfront Centre where thousands come together. There will be displays of fireworks. In July, Toronto’s Fringe Festival will take place. It will happen in early July. The Toronto Fringe Festival is Toronto’s largest theatre event which includes plays and comedy. The Beaches Jazz Festival will take place in late July. The festival is a 10-day event which includes performances by North America’s top jazz and blue acts. Another big festival which is Caribana will take place from mid- July to early August. Caribana is North America’s largest street festival. In August, CNE will occur. CNE is Toronto’s biggest summer carnival. And be looking forward to Toronto’s International Film Festival which will occur in mid-September. With the construction and many interesting shows coming up, plan ahead of how to arrive to these shows!
