The Ontario government has released updated information on a five-point plan it hopes will effectively manage traffic conditions during the 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games.
Keeping the Region Moving, which was made public by provincial transportation minister Steven Del Duca on Monday, lists in some detail how Pan Am’s organizers plan to manage the transportation needs of an estimated 1.4 million games attendees, 7,500 athletes, 23,000 volunteers and 4,000 members of the media – in addition to regular commuters seeking to get to work on time.
While the $61 million transportation management plan won’t take effect until June of next year, it remains to be seen just how long it will take for travel within the region when the Games are on. And despite claims by organizers extensive travel modeling has been done to forecast traffic patterns and volume, Del Duca declined to share with media exactly what commuters, already beset with some of the worst commute times on the continent, are in store for during the Games.
Del Duca who was appointed transportation minister this year, promised to provide further details about the plan by next spring, enough time he said to provide adequate alternative travel options and commence dialoguing with businesses about the plan.
"I will say repeatedly, and so will my colleagues, there’s plenty of time and you will hear more about this," said Del Duca towards the tail end of his afternoon press conference held inside the Macdonald Block government building. "We do have a plan in place that will deliver on the twin objectives of making sure the region keeps moving and the Games are a success."
The centrepiece of the plan is the establishment of a temporary Games Route Network spanning around 1,500 kilometres in the form of temporary High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on major roadways including Hwy. 401, the QEW, the Don Valley Parkway, the Gardiner Expressway and Lake Shore Boulevard, open to Games and emergency personnel, athletes, media and regular vehicles with at least three or more people traveling together.
Use of the lanes will last from 5 a.m. to midnight every day from June 29 to Aug. 18.
In addition to travel options for motorists, a special public transit network will be in place during which will allow anyone with a valid Games ticket to use TTC, GO and other services for no extra charge. There’s also the Union Pearson (UP) Express air rail link under construction between Pearson International Airport and Union Station scheduled for completion before the Games officially begin on July 10, which is not officially part of the Games transit map.
The plan also promises the creation of a special trip planning app, which will allow for attendees to figure out the best route to venues located across Southern Ontario, the opportunity for accessibility-challenged persons to book parking spots ahead of time and consistent signage indicating travel options to guide Games attendees.