Should Yonge Street in Aurora go on a 'road diet'?

Plan would reduce traffic lanes while adding centre turn, bike lanes

Yorkregion.com
Feb. 18, 2020
Lisa Queen

Does Yonge Street in Aurora need to lose weight?

Councillors will debate a "road diet" for the busy thoroughfare through the middle of town at Feb. 18 committee meeting, where the final report of the transportation master plan is on the agenda.

If approved, the diet would reduce four lanes of vehicular traffic (two in each direction) down to three lanes (one in each direction, plus a centre turn lane).

That could free up space for a bike lane, additional sidewalk or public or parking space along the curbs.

The road diet would stretch along Yonge, from south of Orchard Heights Boulevard/Batson Drive to Golf Links Drive/Dunning Avenue.

The idea is to "enhance safety for all road users and create a pedestrian-oriented environment".

It would not only create a dedicated turn lane at the congested Yonge and Wellington Street intersection, but provide a bike lane through the downtown core, Mayor Tom Mrakas said.

"I, along with council, have yet to form an opinion or decide if we would go ahead with the approval," he said in a text, adding he expects the idea will generate a lot of discussion at the meeting.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the town hall.