This issue will have to wait until commuters and residents wake up and realise that there is a gridlock problem caused by an unecessary stop sign that serves no purpose.

Is the stop sign still there? If so, this issue should remain open.

At least get it covered up in a test period to see if it makes a difference. It can't be a safety issue as there is no crossing traffic at Oriole Parkway.

It's both fascinating and alarming what causes traffic congestion. A momentarily distracted driver can have a wave-like effect that can stretch behind them for miles.

The laws of the road are hard won - the history of the 'test dummy' alone demonstrates this. Safety fixtures such as headlights, signals, and safety belts weren't installed into cars initially, but they proved v.e.r.y. useful in reducing the number of vehicle fatalities.

The force imparted by a vehicle should be respected, they have been around a grand total of a 125 years. Use of them is by no means innate.

The STOP sign is still there stopping the flow of arterial road traffic on to a dedicated lane on Oriole Parkway. This limits flow to about one vehicle per minute which is absurd, Local traffic on Oriole Parkway southbound flows freely in a dedicated lane, The consequences are that: 1) traffic is backed up on Oxton and Avenue Rd southbound as far back as Chaplin and beyond. 2) More traffic is forced on to the local section of Avenue Rd south of Oxton. 3) there is unnecessary noise and pollution on the residential section of a major arterial road 4) the delays cause unnecessary tension and wastes time.

If Mayor Tory is serious about eliminating gridlock, here is an extremely cost effective project for improving the quality of life for motorists and residents just by removing one STOP sign. A decade went into designing and constructing this section of the arterial road to improve flow and safety. Post of its potential has been undone by this ill conceived and inappropriate stop sign.

I totally agree with John Newell. The stop sign does not serve any purpose.

Jennifer Keesmaat our chief planner, Stephen Buckley of Toronto Transportation, our ex Mayor and Councillors have failed to act on this simple request or even explain why a STOP sign is needed on a main arterial road. I wonder if Mayor Tory and the new council will do a better job??? Any bets on this issue?

Transportation Services reviewed this stop sign in 2009 and here is their report FYI: http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2009/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-24846.pdf

Thanks for the info Suicide Boi. It would seem that the best solution for all would be a YIELD TO PEDESTRIAN sign like the one on Eglinton Westbound at the Allan. As the report suggests compliance is low because it is considered a nuisance device by motorists and it it is not an appropriate use of a STOP sign according to the Ontario Highway Code (Book 5). It is worth noting that there are no signs at the other end of the Oxton arterial road other than for pedestrians to watch out for vehicles.

Transportation Services has not factored in the pollution, noise and health costs caused by stop and go traffic on Oxton an Avenue Road southbound traffic. Oxton accommodates about 25 idling vehicles while there is normally another 25 stalled on Avenue Road Southbound. The thousand dollar cost Transport Services estimated for removing the STOP sign should be able to cover a yield to pedestrian sign. Does Transportation Services know how many pedestrians on Oriole Parkway cross Oxton in the morning rush hours? They could cross to the East side of Oriole Parkway at the traffic light or the North side of Oxton at Highborn. They need to note that these are residential arterial roads that are supposed to have a heavy truck curfew between 7 PM and 7 AM. This has not been enforced since the City was merged by Harris and Leach. We lost our Metro Councillor Ila Bossons in the process who made sure the by-law was enforced.

If the STOP Sign is a safety issue, could Transportation Services explain why pedestrians do not get hit at the west end of Oxton where there is no stop sign for southbound or northbound arterial road traffic? Thanks, J.Newell.

The STOP sign remains in place along with the the commuters stuck in gridlock on the arterial road are spilling into local streets. To pass the time drivers honk their horns while their idling engines devour oxygen. This may relax them as they will not be as alert when deprived of oxygen.

The STOP sign is still there blocking arterial road traffic from entering its dedicated lane causing a backup on Avenue Road and traffic spilling into local streets. The removal of the sign would cost little and reduce pollution in the residential neighbourhood. I guess the low cost takes it below the radar of politicians who would rather spend a billion of our money in the vain hope of shaving 3 minutes of commute time on the gridlocked DVP and Gardiner crashways.. Their pilings in the Don collect trees and logs which effectively dam the Don causing flooding on the Bayview Extension, the rail tracks and sometimes the DVP. The night of June 22, 2015 is an example. The Bayview Extension was blocked by flood waters at Pottery Road and the Richmond Hill commuter Go Train had to be cancelled. It is a case of sacrificing the commutes of many for the convenience of some at considerable cost.

Pleased to report that councillor Josh Matlow and representatives from Transport will visit the site in conjunction with the opening of the new cross walk on Avenue Road at the Belt Line Trail. The removal of the Stop Sign will reduce gridlock in the area of the Cross Walk

There will be a meeting on site to review this issue with Councillor Josh Matlow and City staff on Sept. 9th. The outcome will affect the operation of the cross walk being installed at Avenue Road and the Belt Line because the stop sign cuts traffic flow on the arterial road by 50% and more if traffic comes to a full stop. This causes arterial road traffic southbound to back up past the cross walk and to make incursions on to local streets.

We hope to have it settled in Sept. when our Councillor pays a site visit. Traffic is still backed up on Oxton and Avenue Road even in off peak hours and while the schools are out!.

Councillor Josh Matlow visited the site with me on Wed. Sept. 9th, 2015. He explained that placing the stop sign was a political decision with nothing to do with traffic safety, but the product of an active blogger. Once installed, it is very hard to have it removed even when it contravenes Book 5 - Regulatory Signs of the Ontario Traffic Manual indicates a "STOP" sign should not be used where the protection of pedestrians is the express primary concern. See Staff report Action Required Oct 22, 2009. Ref No Ts09189te.top.doc. In fact, the STOP sign may give a false sense of security to pedestrians as it does not stop traffic coming in the opposite direction.

It is worth noting that the Report does not comment on the environmental impact of causing gridlock on Oxton and Avenue Road. Nor does it comment on the over use of STOP signs resulting in motorists not treating them with respect.

There is not the political will to deal with this STOP SIGN which does not meet provincial criteria for stop signs or logic. Drivers using the arterial road are paying a toll in gridlock and wear and tear. Residents of this urban residential street have increased noise and pollution. Nothing will improve until both groups unite to force politicians to remove the inappropriate sign which devalues the credibility of all stop signs. Hence the rise of rolling stops and ignoring signs altogether.
J. Newell