Despite this week's protests, the city has announced that a fifth lane on Jarvis Street between Queen and Isabella will be ready for drivers starting Saturday morning at 9 a.m.

The reversible lane was added after crews removed the bike lane markings this week, prompting cycling activists to lay down in the street and block the truck doing the work.

The centre lane will take drivers southbound, except between 3:45 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Monday to Friday to accommodate those leaving downtown.

"Congestion costs Toronto's economy billions of dollars every year," says Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. "Jarvis is a key arterial route. Returning it to full capacity will help us fight gridlock."
 
"The reopening of this lane for traffic on Jarvis Street will improve traffic flow and ease congestion in this corridor," says Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong.