Stretch of major Toronto street was just rebuilt and people already hate it

It seems no matter what the City of Toronto builds, someone ends up asking for a redo. A recently reconstructed stretch of Steeles Avenue East in North York is already catching flak from residents, who say the pedestrian-friendly changes are causing headaches for large vehicles.

Turns out the biggest issue is the turns.

In 2024, the City reconstructed the nearly five-kilometre stretch of Steeles Avenue East between Bayview Avenue and Townsend Road, introducing tighter curb corners at 11 neighbourhood intersections. The reduced curb radii were reportedly designed to "improve pedestrian safety and reduce vehicle turning speeds."

Now, two years later, those same changes are being reviewed after residents complained that school buses, garbage trucks and other large vehicles are struggling to make turns from Steeles onto local streets.

According to a June 18 letter from Don Valley North Councillor Shelley Carroll, some residents have reported seeing larger vehicles mount the curb while turning, raising concerns about safety for both motorists and pedestrians.

Carroll asked North York Community Council to request that Transportation Services review the redesigned intersections, and her motion was adopted on July 7 ahead of its appearance at a City Council meeting this month.

The review will examine whether the reduced curb radii are operating safely and in line with City standards, whether large vehicles like school buses, waste collection trucks and emergency vehicles can navigate the intersections without issue, and whether any collisions, operational challenges or maintenance concerns have surfaced since the reconstruction was completed.

Transportation Services has also been asked to recommend any changes that may be needed to improve traffic flow, safety and accessibility for everyone using the road.

The review covers 11 intersections along the corridor, including Old English Lane, Tarbert Road, Olive Villa Court, Laureleaf Road, Canadiana Drive, Bestview Drive, Fairway Heights, Bluffwood Drive, Aspenwood Drive, Edgar Woods Road and Townsend Road.

City staff are expected to report back in early 2027 with their findings and determine whether the road redesign needs yet another redesign.

Yet another reminder that in Toronto, no City project is ever really final.