SLIGHT DETOUR
Electronic sign adds to road rage with odd travel times,
It’s possible to have too much information, like how long it takes to get from point A to point B, if you go north, turn right and drive along route C.
By now, most drivers have seen those electronic signs on the 400-series highways that estimate the driving time to a major interchange. They’ve become common and are great when they indicate smooth sailing.
But when it says 48 minutes to cover a distance that normally takes 15, like one we saw on the eastbound Hwy. 401during the Friday rush, you have to wonder if they are only adding to road rage and purple-faced anger.
A few have also popped up on city streets, including one in a small park on the east side of Yonge St., about two blocks north of St. Clair Ave., that is relevant to only a small slice of the motoring public.
Lloyd Gordon emailed us about it, saying “it’s not really a bad problem. But it’s sort of weird and wasteful.”
He described “a huge, solar-powered city sign, advising there will be delays due to construction ahead. The construction was over two years ago, but the sign remains. It looks very expensive and could be used elsewhere.”
We spotted the words “13 min. to Bayview via Eglinton” on it, which seems to be information of limited value to most drivers. Of all the traffic headed up Yonge St., how much of it is going to Bayview and Eglinton Aves.? It’s hard to say, but probably not much. Even so, there are other ways to get from Yonge St. to Bayview Ave., without going up to Eglinton Ave. and turning right.
It seems likelier that a lot more drivers would want to know how long it’ll take to get to Sheppard Ave. via Yonge St., or maybe Steeles Ave., especially during the afternoon rush, when traffic is crawling.
Or maybe it would just piss them off. Status: We asked Brian Provo, acting manager of road operations in that area, about the sign. He emailed to say he thinks it has something to do with the Eglinton Crosstown LRT project and that Metrolinx might be responsible for it. But surely it could be used it to provide information that is more helpful to more drivers. What’s broken in your neighbourhood? Wherever you are in Greater Toronto, we want to know. To contact us, go to thestar.com/ yourtoronto/the_fixer or call us at 416-8694823 email jlakey@thestar.ca. Report problems and follow us on Twitter @TOStarFixer.