A resolution to review traffic flow around the “crudely angled” intersection of Pim and Church streets is set to be introduced at Monday night’s city council meeting. Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Vezeau-Allen and Ward 1 Councillor Sonny Spina are calling for an environmental assessment of the area’s traffic patterns before any major capital reconstructions are completed.
Infrastructure and Urban Growth
The push for a review comes as the city prepares for a significant overhaul of Church Street next year. Because the underlying infrastructure is aging—including sanitary sewers installed in 1910 and storm sewers dating to the 1950s and 1960s—the upcoming Church Street project is expected to be a costly full reconstruction.
The intersection serves as a vital link for local drivers traveling between the downtown area and the northern parts of the city. One-way segments of Pim and Church streets are widely used to connect Queen Street to Great Northern Road.
City officials are also closely examining traffic flows in response to new residential developments. This includes a new six-storey apartment building at 110 Pim, located on the former Tara Hall site, along with other planned housing projects in the vicinity. These projects have prompted a look at whether traffic patterns can be adjusted to ease movement between uptown and downtown.
The Proposed Resolution
The resolution introduced by Councillors Vezeau-Allen and Spina seeks to ensure that traffic flow is thoroughly evaluated before any capital improvements are made to the listed streets. The requested environmental assessment would include a review of the one-way traffic flow between Queen Street and Ontario Avenue on both Pim and Church streets, as well as the intersections of Wellington-Pim and Wellington-Church.
Whereas the traffic flow of Pim and Church Streets are “twinned” one-way streets which meet at an angle just south of Ontario Avenue; and whereas it would be prudent to review the entirety of the flow of traffic in the area before any major capital reconstructions are completed; now therefore be it resolved that an environmental assessment for traffic flow… Be undertaken before any capital improvements are done to any of the listed streets.
Looking Ahead
If the resolution is adopted, the city could move forward with a comprehensive study of the area’s traffic dynamics. This assessment may then serve as a critical prerequisite for the upcoming reconstruction of Church Street, potentially shaping how the new infrastructure is implemented.
Monday’s city council meeting is scheduled to be livestreamed starting at 5 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal of the new resolution?
The resolution calls for an environmental assessment of traffic flow in the Pim and Church street area to be completed before any major capital improvements or reconstructions are carried out.
Why is the upcoming Church Street reconstruction considered a major project?
The project is expected to be a costly full reconstruction because it involves very old infrastructure, including sanitary sewers installed in 1910 and storm sewers from the 1950s and 1960s.
Which specific streets and intersections are included in the requested review?
The review would cover the one-way traffic flow between Queen Street and Ontario Avenue on both Pim and Church streets, as well as the intersections of Wellington-Pim and Wellington-Church.
How would improved traffic flow between downtown and uptown affect your daily commute?
