City creates new courier delivery zones as gridlock crackdown expands

The city’s new tag and tow project to help ease gridlock was so successful in the downtown core that it’s expanding to midtown.

“We’ve seen an enhancement in the traffic (flow) downtown and as a result the officers are not having to tag and tow as much downtown,” Const. Clint Stibbe explained. “So now what we’re doing is pushing them further north.”

As of Monday the rush-hour crack down includes St. Clair Avenue and Eglinton Avenue from Dufferin Street to Mt. Pleasant Avenue.

Last week 1,600 tickets were written and over 260 vehicles were towed as part of Mayor John Tory’s six-point plan to tackle gridlock.

But the mayor’s project has not gone over well with some truck drivers and delivery services, who say the new rules impede their ability to do their job.

In response, a new pilot project launched Monday to make room for couriers and delivery vehicles on city streets.

Fifteen courier delivery zones have been erected around the downtown core to help with the necessity of day-to-day delivery, with the total reaching 46 by the end of the month.

Each spot will be big enough to accommodate between two to three delivery vehicles.

Coun. Jaye Robinson said the pilot project was launched quickly following Tory’s election.

“It’s a real asset for businesses to get their goods and products and services delivered in an effective way that allows the city to keep moving,” she explained.

The pilot project is focusing on the downtown core but Robinson says if it’s a success, it could expand across the city.

“If we find this works, we would love to roll this out across Toronto,” she said.

The city says no pay and display parking spaces were removed to create the new delivery spots.