Toronto is set to hire a 'traffic czar' to address congestion and gridlock, with the city's infrastructure and environment committee approving the plan. The chief congestion officer will coordinate efforts across city departments to improve traffic management, especially around special events and city-wide construction projects. To meet the goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, recommendations will also focus on enhancing walking, cycling, and transit. Approximately half of Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area residents have considered moving due to traffic issues, underlining the urgency for effective congestion strategies as the city continues to grow with recent population increases.
The chief congestion officer would work "across all of the divisions" in the city and provide "strategic advice" to the mayor, according to deputy city manager Will Johnston.
The goals for easing congestion include increasing on-the-ground traffic management, implementing a strategy for traffic around special events, and coordinating city-wide construction projects.
Lyn Adamson, co-chair of ClimateFast, emphasized that recommendations should also promote walking, cycling, and transit to help reach the city’s goal of net zero emissions by 2040.
Mayor Olivia Chow described the new position as a "cross-department approach" to traffic management, aiming to mitigate the pressures of growth and development.
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