Summer construction is causing slow downs on Highway 417 and bringing the traffic to some residential neighbourhoods. It’s a major headache for one area in particular not far from the Queensway in the city’s west-end. For residents on Iris Street, located behind Ikea off the highway, many are noticing a big uptick in cars searching for short cuts because of the slow down on the 417. “It’s anytime of the day, even on a weekend it’s heavy,” said Basil Plebon, who lives not far from the highway. “It’s during the week when they’re doing that work on the Queensway and where is all that traffic going? They’re all cutting down and they come up there and they cut down here.” Cars were backed up along Iris Street on Saturday, where residents were also concerned about speeding in the area. Traffic has intensified on Highway 417 between Woodroffe Avenue and Pinecrest Road because of work to install signage infrastructure as part of Stage 2 of the LRT western extension. One lane in each direction is closed on Highway 417 around Pinecrest Road. “It’s certainly affecting people’s day to day,” said College Ward Coun. Laine Johnson. “My office has been putting pressure on the LRT teams to get traffic calming measures in. They are coordinating with the city teams that are working at the Baseline Greenbank intersection, this will include local traffic only signs on many streets.” The issue is also concerning for young parents who walk their children to school in the area. “We’re not built for this kind of volume,” said Johnson. “Many do not have sidewalks. Many have elementary schools with children walking through and so parents are alarmed.” Last week, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said he’s directed city staff to work with the Ministry of Transportation to accelerate the work on the highway to open all lanes to traffic at least three weeks ahead of schedule for the project.
