Leftovers from construction eventually start to look like junk, if it stays in the same place for too long after the project is finished.

But sometimes the job hasn’t wrapped up, even though it looks it has, which casts a whole new light on construction accessories that seem to have overstayed their welcome.

That’s the situation along the north side of Queen Street, east of Coxwell Avenue, where waist-high concrete barriers and big yellow traffic barrels are unwelcome addition to the streetscape.

“There was extensive streetcar track work performed on Queen at Kingston Road during the summer and fall,” said Patrick Williams in an email.

“The work is done but the huge yellow pylons and many concrete barriers just sit there on the north side of Queen, blocking parking for the pet shop, LCBO and all the businesses west of it.

“I suspect the contractors use the space as free parking for their ‘things,’ until they need them somewhere else,” said Williams, adding that he’s seen contractors do the same in other places.

I went there and found a lot of jersey barriers — some scrawled with graffiti — in the curb lane along the north side of Queen, standing next to big plastic barrels filled with sand. At least they won’t be scattered by passing traffic, like regular pylons.

Some of the barrels have flipped their lids, which are now strewn along the sidewalk, leaving them open to pedestrians to use as trash cans.

STATUS: Jacquelyn Hayward, a director of project design and management with the city, emailed to say “this work is part of larger sidewalk widening work along Queen that is ongoing. The cement barriers and barrels are required to provide protection for hydro poles installed in the roadway. A significant portion of the sidewalk in this area was widened in the fall and additional sidewalk widening is scheduled for spring 2020. Once that work is finished, the barrels and barriers are expected to be removed.”

UPDATE ON MECHANICAL LEAF COLLECTION: We recently reported that the city had to amend its schedule for picking up leaves raked to the curb in parts of Etobicoke and Scarborough, due to the Nov. 11 snowstorm. Of course, the amended schedule was subject to further weather disruption, which occurred after another snowfall in early December. Transportation services has kept up with the leaf collection schedule in Etobicoke but have fallen behind in Scarborough. They say they’re still coming, so the leaves on east-end boulevards will eventually be picked up. Patience, people.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...