What’s with a barrier that seems to have no purpose?

JACK LAKEY

Few things are more frustrating to drivers than a big chunk of concrete plunked down in a traffic lane where they want to go .

We’re at the high point of road repair season around here, and not even the coronavirus is enough to curtail the onslaught of construction equipment, pylons and lane closures.

If anything, the reduced traffic volume since the virus arrived seems to be egging on officials who decide which roads get fixed, and when.

With less traffic, why not make it even harder to get around? At least, that’s how it feels for those who must still hit the dusty, torn-up road.

Lisa Droog emailed to say that in late May, a concrete barrier appeared in the curb lane of Danforth Road, just north of St. Clair Avenue, forcing two lanes of traffic into one.

The only reason for the barrier that she can see “is some scuffed up concrete right by the curb. That’s it. Certainly nothing worth even putting a pylon there. And no construction to date.

“I travel that route 4 times a day. I have two sons that work at the same place near there, different shifts, so between drop-offs and pickups, I am quite familiar with the intersection.

She made a complaint to 311 on June 13 and followed up with a call 10 days later, and “I was told that construction was due to start, however it is held up, what with COVID.

“My question is, why not move the barrier? As more businesses open, it’s creating a backlog as cars approach that intersection.”

I took a drive along Danforth and found construction equipment and pylons that continued for a half-dozen blocks, on the other side of the intersection at St. Clair. But there appeared to be no good reason for the barrier on the other side, which funnels two lanes of traffic into one at a most inconvenient spot.

STATUS: City spokesperson Susan Pape sent me a note saying “Yes, the jersey barrier is in place for construction, crews are doing electrical work at the intersection and then will continue with more work on the boulevard. We expect the barrier to be in place until the end of July/early August.”

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