Dangerous driving conditions at Fortieth Street and Lake Shore Blvd. West in Long Branch
On April 5, 2016 I sent the following message to Mark Grimes. If you live in Ward 6, and have a concern about this topic, please send a message to his office also.
My message to the Councillor’s Office:
Good evening Councillor Grimes:
I wish to add my voice to the voices of other residents who have from time to time expressed concerns regarding traffic conditions at Fortieth Street and Lake Shore Blvd. West.
With a great coffee shop and two [actually three; I had forgotten there were three] popular food establishments in the area, the sight lines of drivers and pedestrians are often obscured by parked cars jammed into a small amount of space in the area.
I was walking south along Fortieth Street not far from Lake Shore Blvd. West around 6:30 pm on Tues., April 4 when I heard the sound of a collision. Then I observed what had occurred. The sound of the collision remains etched in my brain. A car was making a turn; another car collided with it. A reminder: Good idea not to be on a cell phone when walking in traffic. Good to drive with full attention on the road and what’s happening around us, at all times.
I shared the above-noted collision message at the Long Branch Neighbourhood Watch Facebook Page just recently. Another resident noted, in response to my message:
“It was a pretty bad one. Was in my shop and it happened basically right out front. 4th or 5th accident over the last 7 months in that spot.”
Thank for posting this information. I have lived in Long Branch since 1992 and go through the Fortieth Street and Lake Shore intersection on a daily basis.
The top of Fortieth Street at Lake Shore Blvd West has turned into a fast food drive thru and drivers open their doors into traffic – they treat the street like a parking lot.
The last 5-7+ years have been awful with parking problems. Cars are constantly parked on Fortieth Street beside Woody’s. It is clearly marked on the west side of Fortieth Street – No Parking to Corner. There are also parking problems on the east side of Fortieth Street – it is clearly marked No Parking.
The City of Toronto has allowed restaurants to open without adequate street parking and basically no parking on the business’ property.
Drivers think that if they put on their 4 way flashers on, they are safe while they visit one of the following businesses: Woody’s, Fair Grounds, Empanada Company, Burrito Boyz, 241 Pizza, Laundromat, plus 2 Variety Stores. There is additional legal street parking on Branch Avenue and further down on the west side of Fortieth Street.
I have contacted Mr. Grimes’ office on numerous occasions.
I would imagine for anything to happen:
(a) the city will have to do a traffic study (that may take a year plus for a decision) and more time for something to be implemented or
(b) unfortunately someone will to be seriously injured for some action to be done.
Wonderful to read your message, Valerie. I will let the organizing committee, working on the launch of the Long Branch Neighbourhood Association, know of this issue. The more we have people speaking out, the more there is a chance that the situation is addressed before a serious injury or fatality occurs.