“Great Deal” of
Traffic Congestion Due to Gardiner Closure
Close to half drove the city while Expressway closed, half were
inconvenienced
In a random sampling
of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 757 Toronto voters, close to
half drove in the city the weekend the Gardiner Expressway closed for
maintenance (48%). Of these, well more than one half (58%) encountered “a great
deal” of traffic congestion, while, in total, three quarters encountered at
least some traffic congestion (77%). In total, among all voters, one third
suffered at least some congestion because of the Gardiner closure (37%), and
more than a quarter of all Torontonians encountered “a great deal of
congestion” (28%). Encountering a great deal of congestion is typical of
younger respondents (35 to 44 - 40%), mid income groups ($60K to $80K - 40%)
and in Etobicoke (38%), among those with kids (40%).
Driving in the city
on the weekend of October 22 and 23 was common to the young (under 45 - 54%),
males (57%), mid income groups ($60K to $80K - 61%), residents of Etobicoke (55%),
those with kids (57%), those who commute by private vehicle (63%) and bicycle
(55% - caution: small base size).
“While we all
recognize the Gardiner needs regular maintenance, we don’t realize the extent
to which it is a major feeder artery to the city. When it’s closed, the whole
city knows it" said Forum Research President, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff.
Lorne Bozinoff,
Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum Research. He can be reached at
lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416) 960-9603.
