A recently revitalized intersection on the waterfront appears to have a left-turn problem.

The crossroads at Lower Simcoe St. and Queens Quay has seen five minor collisions between motorists and streetcars since the intersection’s full reopening on June 4.

A part of the recently unveiled Queens Quay revitalization project, the intersection is busy, with separate signals for traffic, streetcars, cyclists and pedestrians. Queens Quay itself has a unique layout, with streetcar-only tracks on one side of the road and two-way traffic lanes on the other.

There are two main problem areas, according to Toronto police. Motorists turning left from Lower Simcoe onto Queens Quay are turning wide into the streetcar lanes instead of making a tight left.

The other problem area has westbound drivers turning left from Queens Quay into the Harbourfront Centre. Instead of waiting for the left turn signal, some are turning left on a green signal intended for straight-moving drivers. This in turn has motorists crossing streetcar tracks, making a collision possible.

“We’ve heard a lot of concerns about it,” said Andrew Hilton of Waterfront Toronto.

The Star spent an hour observing the intersection on Friday afternoon. During that time, four vehicles made an illegal left turn into the Harbourfront Centre. Six vehicles either fully or partially turned left into the streetcar tracks on Queens Quay. Many more corrected their wide left turn at the last minute.

According to Toronto police Const. Clint Stibbe, 52 Division will be sending officers to the site.

“If there are collisions or whatnot, they’ll be investigating them,” he said. “If they’ve made a mistake, they’ll speak to those individuals or if necessary lay charges as is required under law.”

Although he can’t think of another Toronto intersection set up in the same way, Stibbe says unfamiliarity shouldn’t be an excuse. The recent problems, he believes, are a matter of drivers either not following the rules or not being able to adapt to a new situation.

“You have a choice. You can stop your car, assess the situation, figure out what direction you have to go, and move,” he said of drivers on the streetcar tracks. “Unfortunately, people are getting into the situation and continue to drive through because they’re making assumptions about where they have to go.”

The new Queens Quay layout, with the tracks on one side instead of down the middle, is different from that of other dedicated streetcar lanes in the city, such as the St. Clair and Spadina routes.

Carol Jolly, executive director of the Waterfront BIA, says this could be the reason motorists are struggling. “It may be a little confusing for people, but it’s quite clear when you’re driving on a streetcar corridor that you’re not on a regular road.”

The BIA hasn’t received serious complaints about the intersection. Jolly herself finds the design clear, and says people aren’t properly reading the signage.

Several signs intended to alert drivers include one that indicates the streetcar signal, one labelling the left turn signal, and a “new” sign next to the main stoplight.

In a blog posted Thursday, Waterfront Toronto said it is exploring ways to make the intersection easier to navigate. In conjunction with the TTC and city, it has ordered “do not enter” signs to be posted on the streetcar tracks at waterfront intersections. It is also soliciting feedback from community members.

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Waterfront Toronto’s Hilton believes, however, that the main responsibility rests with drivers.

“All of the required signage, signals for this intersection to operate safely, are there and they’re all done according to the Ministry of Transportation’s guidelines,” he said. “The bottom line is that a lot of people need to pay much more attention to the signals and cues on the street.”