Toronto gets 3rd 'scramble' intersection

Pedestrians at the corner of Bloor and Bay streets can now walk diagonally through the intersection as they cross.

The intersection has been designated a pedestrian "scramble." Vehicle traffic will be periodically stopped by red lights in all four directions, and people can cross in any direction, including diagonally.

The city will adjust the timing of the lights, improve signals to assist the visually impaired and keep tabs on the intersection to see if any changes need to be made.

The creation of pedestrian scramble intersections have "been implemented in a number of other cities and has reduced conflict between pedestrians and vehicles by separating the flow of traffic and the movement of pedestrians," the city said in a release.

The move comes as the city winds down its Bloor Street reconstruction project, which calls for widened sidewalks and streetscape beautifications along a stretch of Bloor Street West near Bay Street

Bay and Bloor is the third intersection to be designated a pedestrian scramble in Toronto.

The city designated the Yonge and Dundas intersection a pedestrian scramble in August 2008. Bloor and Yonge followed in October 2009.