Toronto drivers were none too happy Monday morning after temporary HOV lanes went up on GTA highways ahead of the Pan Am Games.
The new lanes are laid out along parts of the 401, Gardiner Expressway, and Don Valley Parkway, in addition to existing ones on the QEW and 404. Vehicles must now have at least a three occupants in order to use them.
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| Map of temporary HOV lanes. Click for larger image. Via MTO. |
Residents took to social media to voice their frustrations.
Not surprised about the issues with the #HOVlanes today. Any idiot could see this was going to be a huge mess #dumb #summeroftraffic— Melanie Cosentino (@Melington) June 29, 2015
Sigh, shall I leave 3 hrs earlier to get to set tomorrow morning? 3 person HOV lane begins #PanAmageddon #PanAmGames #PanAm #TorontoTraffic— Angel Navarro III (@angelnavarroiii) June 29, 2015
Day 1 of #PanAm #HOVlanes on 401WB: not 1 car with 3 ppl; most had 1. Lots of hopping across solid white lines.— Mary Heenan (@mlheenan) June 29, 2015
The fine for using an HOV lane without the correct number of occupants if $110 plus 3 demerit points.
Lane restrictions will remain in effect daily from 5am to 11pm form June 29th to July 27th.
According to the MTO, temporary HOV lanes will be open to:
- accredited Games vehicles used to transport athletes, media, technical officials etc.
- motor vehicles with 3+ occupants (from June 29 – July 27)
- motor vehicles with 2+ occupants (from July 28 – August 18)
- emergency vehicles
- public transit
- licensed taxis
- airport limousines (on provincial highways only)
- electric vehicles with green licence plates (on provincial highways only)
- motorcycles (on City of Toronto roads only – Don Valley Parkway, Gardiner, Lake Shore Blvd.)
Should drivers wish to voice their complaints about the road restrictions, they are advised to contact their Ontario MPP, or Toronto city councilor.
Photo by Haljackey, via Wikipedia. Licensed under Creative Commons 3.0 Share Alike.
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