Planned Carling on-ramp closure irks councillors

City councillors expressed frustration Wednesday over the Ministry of Transportation’s plan to close one of two eastbound on-ramps onto the Queensway at Carling Avenue.

As part of widening Highway 417 between Maitland Avenue and Island Park Drive, MTO wants to consolidate eastbound traffic into a single point of entry.

The Carling on-ramp located just west of the Westgate Shopping Centre, which MTO deemed a low-volume ramp, would close. The eastbound on ramp adjacent to Kirkwood Avenue would remain open.

Drivers who use the on-ramp slated to close would instead remain on westbound Carling, pass underneath the 417, turn right on Kirkwood and then left onto the ramp. MTO says about 3,900 vehicles that use the on-ramp every day would be redirected to the other on-ramp, adding a few minutes to their journey.

Councillors and the Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association fear it’s a plan destined for failure.

They suggest the MTO move is premature and doesn’t take into consideration the proposed redevelopment of the Westgate Shopping Centre and the opening of a new Civic Hospital. They also fear an increase of cut-through traffic on neighbourhood side streets.

“I’m not convinced the closure is necessary,” said Coun. Riley Brockington.

He questioned whether the ministry would help the city pay for additional traffic-calming measures if they become necessary due to an increase in cut-through traffic. The city will monitor the situation, staff said, and the MTO confirmed it is prepared to contribute if necessary.

Although several councillors are vocally opposed to the ministry’s plan, the decision is out of the city’s hands. MTO was appearing before the transportation committee on Wednesday to make a presentation, not ask for permission.