We don't want to be Detroit or L.A. where car is king, but there has to be some balance. So many folks on here write like the car is the absolute most evil thing ever and that we should slowly remove or condense all roads to the point where the only way to get around is bike, foot or TTC. That's just not practical. There are times when cars are necessary. Think about who's inside those cars, it's mum and dads getting their kids to school or lessons, it's old folk, it's tradespeople, its delivery people. We weren't built like Europe. We were built spread out. So yeah let's take an unnecessary ramp down here and there. Let's give transit priority. Let's build more bike paths and covert car lanes to bike lanes where it makes sense. But let's please stop demonizing cars like they're some kind of alien force here to take us over. A city needs a ring highway around it which is what 427, DVP, 401, Gardiner are. It would be idiotic to not at the very leas have this one connected highway system around the city. Nobody is going to build a Spadina Expressway downtown anymore. I love cycling. I love walking around with the family, but we also need roads and cars for certain journeys. So please enough with the tear-it-all-down hyperbole. Of all the cities around the word I've been too, Toronto actually has done an incredible job of balancing the many different ways of getting around. This is not Manhattan. Nor should it ever be LA. I'm thirlled we're tearing down this section of the Gardiner, but I would never want the whole thing torn down.
As someone who drives, and who owns a car, I don't find most of the 'tear it down' stuff all that o'er the top.
To be clear, such a project could not be undertaken in isolation. That is to say, if you expect people using the Gardiner to take transit into the core, then you need to have the requisite capacity and level of service to handle that.
In terms of the Gardiner west of Yonge, we certainly are not there. In terms of the Gardiner between Cherry and Jarvis, studies suggest it was viable without creating undue traffic problems or hardships for most.
Other potential projects would vary in terms of how viable they might be, but I would certainly favour removing the Allen in its current form (it doesn't really go anywhere); but that should also be tied to Dufferin being pushed through the Downsview site, and other road grid improvements.
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In respect of the non-highway road system, I don't think its fair to say Toronto has struck a good balance, it may be fair to say we've done better than most other cities in North America.....but that's not a terribly high bar.
Cycling is far too dangerous on many roads, sidewalks are often narrow and unpleasant. I think there is need to see some roads narrowed in terms of vehicle lanes to create the space for safe and pleasant cycling and pedestrian facilities; and/or transit lanes on some roads.
That's not anti-car. Its about incenting people who can, to make other choices, which frankly leaves more space for the drivers who remain.
