As Pan Am Opening Ceremony Excitement Builds, Commuters and Residents Urged to Plan Ahead

What commuters need to know about road and street Closures for Pan Am Opening Ceremony in Downtown Toronto on Friday, July 10

TORONTO, July 7, 2015 /CNW/ - 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.

The temporary traffic changes will be:

• 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.
  
  
• Closure of John Street Bridge on July 9, 10 and 26 from noon to midnight

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 Ontario.ca/games2015 and TORONTO2015.org.

To help plan your travel on regional transit during the Games, use Triplinx.ca. Drivers can also use the handy 2015 Games Trip Planner at 2015gamestripplanner.ca for auto trips or download the app for free.

About TO2015
The TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games will take place July 10–26 and the Parapan American Games August 7–15. The TORONTO 2015 Games are funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, as well as Lead Partner CIBC and other partners and sponsors.

The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015) is tasked with managing and delivering the Games. It is working to bring some of the world's best athletes and artists to Toronto and the Greater Golden Horseshoe region, giving Ontarians a unique chance to be part of the action, and making the region a hub for sport.

For more information about the Games, please visit TORONTO2015.org or follow @TO2015, @TO2015_fr (French) or @TO2015_es (Spanish).

About City of Toronto
Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

SOURCE Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games

For further information: TO2015 Media Request Line, 416.957.3409, [email protected]; City of Toronto, Strategic Communications, 416.392.6967, [email protected]; S/Sgt. Devin Kealey, Community & Business Liaison Lead, Toronto Police Service, 416.938.5701, [email protected]