In response to several complaints from local residents regarding  Yonge/Blythwood/Lytton Blvd., staff at Traffic Operations have reviewed several options with regards to the re-design of this unusual offset intersection.

Pedestrian Crossing
The placement of pedestrian crossing on the south side of the intersection would result in possible conflicts with pedestrians crossing on the south side and fast approaching westbound left turning vehicles.  Given both pedestrian and vehicle volumes are predominant at the east leg, the ideal location for the overall safe and efficient pedestrian operation was chosen on the north and south sides of the east leg (Blythwood Road) of the intersection.  Pedestrian crossing on the north and south sides of the west leg (Lytton Boulevard) is prohibited and supported by sufficient signs and pavement markings to warn pedestrians to cross only at Blythwood Road.  Field observations confirmed that the vast majority of pedestrians crossed here.  The new pedestrian crossing times are well beyond the required crossing times at this intersection.

Signal Operation
In order to accommodate the heavy side street demand on Blythwood Road, the signal operation is placed on ‘Fixed Time’ operation for the east leg.  The signals continuously cycle and service Yonge Street traffic and Blythwood Road traffic including pedestrians.  Traffic on the west leg of this intersection (Lytton) which has the lowest vehicle volume is serviced based only on vehicle demand.  The signal was changed from a two-phase operation to a three-phase operation where east and west legs of the intersections are operated independently of each other.  By having a three-phase operation, we have removed all possible potential vehicle and pedestrian conflicts that could have resulted due to the offset nature of this location.  The new signal timing plan provides more than double the previous eastbound green duration based on traffic demand.