Future mayoral candidate Doug Ford says the King Street pilot project is a “disaster” that he would reverse if elected mayor of Toronto next year.

The project that went into effect on Nov. 12 forces drivers to turn right after just one block on the stretch between Bathurst and Jarvis Streets. Taxis are allowed to drive through, but only between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. The idea is to prioritize streetcars on King and reduce commute times on the notoriously slow ride.

In 2012, the late Rob Ford famously thundered “(People) don’t want these damn streetcars blocking up our city!” Carrying forward that legacy, Doug Ford took to the streets on Monday evening to make people aware of “what a disaster this ban on cars on King Street is.” He added it will have a huge economic impact on the city.

“Make no mistake about it, it’s a ban,” he said. “It’s hurting businesses, it’s hurting the middle class of the city. People are going to be losing their jobs in a lot of these restaurants … I have heard it from the restaurant owners.”

In addition, he said that shops in the area will also likely see a reduction in business, especially during the holiday season, saying people will no longer shop on the street. There are no official numbers out yet to corroborate Ford’s claims.

After handing out over 500 warnings to drivers during the first two days of the project, police began issuing tickets for infractions on Monday, after the end of a one-week grace period. Drivers caught breaking the rules can face a $110 fine and two demerit points, which Ford calls “Tory tickets.”

He adds that the project is only serving to create gridlock in neighbouring roadways. Police say they will be keeping a close eye on the situation in the area and analyzing the changes in traffic patterns to identify any congestion problems that may arise.