Several downtown councillors are calling for more coordination on construction projects in the core in hopes of proactively boosting efficiency and road safety.

Two member motions are heading to council this week, and both cite the need for better planning given the high number of projects coming up, including at least 26 in the year ahead around downtown Yonge Street.

“When you have multiple contractors in an area, on all different schedules… there is a tendency to lose sight of what’s around you,” said Coun. Mike Layton, who seconded both motions.

One motion, from Coun. Kristyn Wong-Tam, focuses on the “unprecedented” level of growth around Yonge Street and the numerous projects happening to replace aging infrastructure, including watermains, TTC station upgrades, and streetscape improvements.

She recommends forming a monthly working group — featuring city staff and stakeholders like the TTC, developers, and local residents’ associations — to coordinate project planning and minimize traffic impacts on nearby roads.

Wong-Tam says, in part, it’s to make sure projects avoid delays, while reducing the chance street and sidewalk closures drag on.

“Just as when somebody is renovating a very large house, somebody is playing general contractor and project manager to make sure everything gets done in a timely fashion,” she said.

A second motion from Coun. Joe Cressy notes a variety of capital construction projects are also slated for the area around Bathurst Street and Wellington Street West, including the installation of traffic control signals, and similarly calls for more coordination and exploration of ways to improve safety.

The push comes amid growing concern over the connection between construction-related traffic and safety for road users.

Keep reading on CBC News