Ontario moves to restore vehicle lanes on Toronto's busiest streets
Following a court victory, the province issued a request for proposals and began work on Bloor Street West as part of a broader bike lane reversal.
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Ontario is moving ahead with plans to restore motor vehicle lanes on some of Toronto's most congested streets following an August Court of Appeal ruling that sided with the province.
The government has issued a request for proposals to study design options for restoring vehicle lanes on sections of Bloor Street, Yonge Street, University Avenue, Queen's Park, Queen's Park Crescent and Avenue Road. The province is also immediately beginning restoration work on Bloor Street West starting at Clissold Road, where minimal design work is required.
In December 2025, Ontario completed work to restore a vehicle lane and maintain a bike lane on a 600-metre section of Bloor Street West from Resurrection Road to Clissold Road. The new RFP will also identify options to retain or reconfigure bike lanes where they do not worsen gridlock.
The move follows the Court of Appeal's unanimous decision that decisions about roadway design are policy matters for the elected legislature, not the courts. The Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024 and Plan to Protect Ontario Act, 2025 both require restoration of motor vehicle lanes on the specified Toronto corridors.
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said the changes reflect a mandate to fight gridlock. A report from the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis found gridlock in Ontario costs the province $56 billion annually.
The facts
Which Toronto streets will have vehicle lanes restored?
Ontario is studying design options for Bloor Street, Yonge Street, University Avenue, Queen's Park, Queen's Park Crescent, and Avenue Road. Work has already begun on Bloor Street West starting at Clissold Road.
What court ruling allowed Ontario to proceed with this plan?
The Court of Appeal issued a unanimous decision in August 2026 that roadway design decisions are policy matters for the elected legislature, not the courts.
When was work completed on the first section of Bloor Street West?
Ontario completed restoration work on a 600-metre section of Bloor Street West from Resurrection Road to Clissold Road in December 2025, restoring a vehicle lane while maintaining a bike lane.
How much does gridlock cost Ontario annually?
According to a Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis report, gridlock in Ontario costs the province $56 billion each year.
