Pan Am Games impact on OPACC services
In light of the upcoming Pan Am & Parapan Am Games in Toronto, OPACC urges you to plan ahead for travel into the city for the duration of the games. Our Parent Liaisons will be monitoring the situation and will endeavor to be on as regular a schedule as possible, however they may from time to time only be accessible by email, phone or text. We will issue updates via social media as necessary in case of any schedule changes.
In the meantime, we are sharing this communication from Sick Kids regarding the games:
Toronto and other municipalities in the Golden Horseshoe will be hosting the Pan Am Games (July 10-26) and Parapan Am Games (Aug. 7-15) this summer. The games may result in more traffic congestion for everyone.
During the games, some routes will be busier than normal, especially during rush hour. Temporary traffic measures, such as HOV lanes and turning bans, will ensure games participants can travel safely to and from events but may delay your commute. There are training facilities, event sites and a host hotel not too far from SickKids, so please read carefully as you might not be able to take the same route in as you do today.
Temporary traffic changes near SickKids that will affect your drive in/out: - No left turns along College St./Carlton St. between St. George St. and Jarvis St. from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. from June 29 to Aug. 18. - No left turn from University Ave. onto College St. from June 29 to Aug. 18. - No left turns from Jarvis St. between Lake Shore and Carlton St. from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. from June 29 to Aug. 18 (exceptions: onto Dundas St. from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. and onto Richmond St. from Jarvis northbound). - Hoskin Ave. closed between Devonshire Place and Queen’s Park Crescent, from June 22 to Aug. 22. - Bay St. closed between Dundas St. and Queen St. from 3 p.m. to midnight on Aug. 15. - Temporary HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lanes from June 29 to Aug. 18 on stretches of the DVP, the Gardiner Expressway, Lake Shore Blvd. and 400-series highways. The lanes will operate from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. and can only be used by vehicles with 3 or more occupants, public transit vehicles and vehicles with a Pan Am Games permit.
Traffic restrictions will result in temporary diversions on some TTC routes, including Route 172 Cherry St., Route 29 Dufferin and Route 329 Dufferin. Be sure to visit ttc.ca regularly for the latest information.
Always check the Pan Am Games official site for updated information to help you plan ahead. Bookmark Ontario.ca/games2015 for games information, venues map, and transit, driving and traffic routes.
Trip Planner app The Government of Ontario has created a 2015 Games Trip Planner app to help people get around during the games. The app is available to download for free for Apple, Android and BlackBerry devices and will help commuters find the best route, as well as provide real-time travel conditions and estimated travel times. There is also an online version of the trip planner available at 2015gamestripplanner.ca.
Games organizers have launched a media campaign to remind everyone of the games and possible disruptions to commutes. We are using our website and social media accounts to do the same, and are sharing this info with families who are booking appointments for days when the games are on. Our Emergency Preparedness team has been meeting with key areas across SickKids to ensure they are prepared for the games.