This joint release from TO2015, City of Toronto and Toronto Police Service was distributed via CNW.
TORONTO July 7, 2015 — A number of temporary traffic measures — including closures of Front, Wellington and Rees streets — will go into effect in downtown Toronto as Toronto prepares to host the one-of-a-kind Opening Ceremony for the 2015 Pan Am Games on Friday, July 10.
On that day, there will also be rolling road closures as the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Torch Relay travels from Toronto Pearson International Airport to the downtown core. The relay will start at 9:10 a.m. and officially end its 41-day journey at 2:30 p.m. at Canada Square on the city's waterfront — the same spot where the relay began on May 30.
Drivers, residents and commuters in the downtown core are being advised to plan ahead, prepare for additional travel time and consider changing their travel routine by telecommuting, cycling, walking, taking transit, carpooling or retiming travel, where possible.
But a more fun idea is to stay and explore the city for the evening. At 8 p.m., gather with other proud Torontonians and international visitors at Nathan Phillips Square to watch the free showing of the Opening Ceremony and enjoy a spectacular fireworks show like none the city has ever seen before!
The Opening Ceremony will involve more than 6,000 athletes from 41 countries and territories, 625 performers, 600 volunteers and 40,000 spectators — and be watched by up to 380 million households in the Americas.
To ensure the venue can successfully operate and the athletes, coaches, media and officials arrive on time, a number of temporary traffic measures are needed. These changes will also be repeated for the Pan Am Closing Ceremony on July 26.
• Bremner Boulevard, from Navy Wharf to Simcoe Street, closed to vehicle traffic on July 9, 10 and 26, from 3 p.m. to midnight. Bremner from Navy Wharf and Van de Water Crescent will remain open to local traffic.
• The eastbound lanes of Front Street West from John Street to Simcoe Street, closed from noon on July 10 until 1:00 a.m. on July 11. The two westbound lanes will remain open and convert to temporarily accommodate two-way traffic direction.
• Wellington Street, from Church Street to John Street, closed to vehicle traffic on July 10 and 26, from 5:45 p.m. to midnight.
• Rees Street closed to vehicle traffic on July 10 and 26, from 3 p.m. to midnight.
• Front Street sidewalk (south side) from Simcoe to John Street, closed on July 10 and 26 from 1 p.m. to midnight.
• Rogers Centre stairs (east of Gate 2) will be barricaded at the top and bottom on July 9, 10 and 26, from 3 p.m. to midnight.
• Closure of Rogers Centre underground parking (south side of Bremner Boulevard) to the public on July 10 and 26.
In light of these traffic changes, the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015), the City of Toronto and Toronto Police Service are reminding the general public to take extra care in their travels, no matter what mode of transport they choose.
Drivers and cyclists are reminded to slow down, be prepared for new traffic measures and drive with caution given the changes to the road network and the increase in pedestrian traffic in the downtown core.
For information on temporary traffic changes during the Games, visit http://www.ontario.ca/games2015 and http://www.TORONTO2015.org.
To help plan your travel on regional transit during the Games, use http://www.triplinx.ca. Drivers can also use the handy 2015 Games Trip Planner at http://www.2015gamestripplanner.ca for auto trips or download the app for free.
For more information about the Games, please visit http://www.TORONTO2015.org or follow @TO2015, @TO2015_fr (French) or @TO2015_es (Spanish).