Toronto · intersection · signal 126 · red-light camera

Yonge & Empress

Yonge St & Empress Ave · Toronto, Ontario · Yonge-Doris · Ward 18, Willowdale · Yonge North York BIA

Yonge & Empress is a busier-than-typical intersection, with a strong pedestrian presence. It sits in Yonge-Doris. It has a red-light camera in place since 2022 that issued 518 tickets in 2025, North York Centre Station and a school within 250 m at the corner.

Traffic volume
30,590
vehicles · 14-hour count, May 26, 2026
19,150 pedestrians · 583 cyclists · #307 busiest
Collisions
335
police-reported, any severity · 2016–2025
33 with an injury · 241 property damage · #246 of 5,508 · +10 since Jan 2026
KSI collisions
1
killed or seriously injured · 2016–2025
0 fatal · 1 pedestrian · 0 cyclist · #1492 of 1,505
Red-light camera
518
tickets in 2025
since 2022 · 348 so far in 2026 · tickets by camera
Transit
North York Centre Station
subway station within 250 m
4 bus routes within 1 km
Cycling
No bikeway
nothing on the City cycling network here
Bike Share: 50 docks within 150 m

Hour by hour, the 14-hour count works out to close to 2,190 vehicles, 1.89× the median counted intersection. There is roughly one pedestrian for every 1.6 vehicles, a higher share of people on foot than the typical counted intersection (one per 13). Police have logged an average of 34 collisions a year here over 2016–2025 — 11.0 per 10,000 counted vehicles, 2.2× the median rate for counted intersections. Collisions fell 23%, from 189 in 2016–2020 to 146 in 2021–2025. Just one of those 335 collisions left someone killed or seriously injured.

Map

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Yonge & Empress

Getting here

Transit within 1 km, cycling at the corner, and what's within a 1.5 km walk

Transit & cycling

Subway
North York Centre Station (Line 1)85 m; Sheppard-Yonge Station (Line 1, Line 4)863 m
GO Transit
GO bus 96 Oshawa / Finch Express27 Milton / North York19 Mississauga / North York67 Keswick / North York19 Mississauga / North York67 Keswick / North York27 Milton / North York96 Oshawa / Finch Express at Yonge St. @ Park Home Ave.21 m
TTC bus
979818584 nearest 22 m
Express
984
Blue Night
320385384
Nearest stops
3 surface stops within 300 m — Yonge St at Empress Ave - North York Centre Station; Yonge St at Park Home Ave
Cycling
no bikeway on the City cycling network touches this intersection
Bike Share
Empress Ave / Yonge St 23 m · 19 docks · 6 stations, 142 docks within 1 km

Straight-line distances to the nearest stop or station entrance in each agency's current schedule feed, including temporary diversions.

Within walking distance 1.5 km

Schools (26)
  • Crown AcademyPrivate · 171 m
  • Toronto District School Board - Head OfficeEnglish Public · 251 m
  • Toronto French MontessoriPrivate · 373 m
  • Claude Watson School For the ArtsEnglish Public · 486 m
  • McKee Public SchoolEnglish Public · 558 m
  • Earl Haig Secondary SchoolEnglish Public · 558 m
  • and 20 more
Community centres
  • Douglas Snow Aquatic Centre307 m
  • Mitchell Field Community Centre700 m
  • Edithvale Community Centre1.4 km
Parks (38)
  • North York Rose Garden47 m
  • Princess Park165 m
  • Gibson Park188 m
  • Ring Road Linear Park190 m
  • Mel Lastman Square195 m
  • North York Civic Centre268 m
  • and 32 more
Library
  • Toronto Public Library North York Central Library branch178 m
Places of interest
  • Gibson House MuseumMuseum · 165 m
  • Mel Lastman SquareLandmark · 220 m
  • Meridian Arts Centre (formerly Toronto Centre for the Arts)Performing Arts · 328 m
Signal
0126, activated 1959 · SA2 · leading pedestrian interval North/South/East/West

Around the corner

Food premises, public washrooms, child care and emergency services — distances are straight-line from the node

Restaurants & food

There are 44 restaurants, cafés and takeouts within 300 m of the corner, plus 2 grocery and convenience stores, and 298 eating places within a kilometre — 4.2× the median for a Toronto intersection. The nearest is Booster Juice, 43 m away, which passed its last DineSafe inspection in April 2026.

Restaurants & cafés44 within 300 m · 298 within 1 km
Grocery & convenience2 within 300 m · 24 within 1 km
Nearest food premisesDistanceLatest DineSafe inspection
Booster Juice · 5150 Yonge St43 mPassed, Apr 2026
Subway · 5150 Yonge St Unit-F343 mPassed, Apr 2026
Sultans Mediterranean Grill · 5150 Yonge St Unit-F-643 mPassed, Mar 2026
Z-Teca · 5150 Yonge St Bldg-F-743 mPassed, Jul 2026 · 1 infraction
La Prep · 5150 Yonge St43 mPassed, Jul 2026 · 1 infraction
La Prep · 5150 Yonge St43 mPassed, Feb 2025 · 1 infraction
Second Cup · 5150 Yonge St, Unit-F843 mPassed, Oct 2025
Kinton Ramen · 5165 Yonge St65 mPassed, May 2026

Every establishment Toronto Public Health inspects under DineSafe, screened by name to leave out kitchens inside schools, care homes and offices. A conditional pass means infractions had to be fixed by a follow-up visit, not that the premises is closed.

Washrooms & water

The nearest public washroom is Mel Lastman Square Washroom, 245 m away — currently listed as closed (planned closure); in season it is View centre hours. A drinking fountain is 162 m away at Mel Lastman Square.

  • Mel Lastman Square Washroom · 5100 Yonge St
    View centre hours · closed — Planned Closure
    245 m
  • Lee Lifeson Art Park Washroom · 45 Princess Ave
    hours not listed · accessible · closed — Planned Closure
    247 m
  • Douglas Snow Aquatic Centre Washroom · 5100 Yonge St
    View centre hours · accessible
    271 m
Drinking water
Mel Lastman Square drinking fountain · 162 m; Mel Lastman Square drinking fountain · 166 m

Park washrooms, washrooms in City buildings and automated street toilets, with hours and status as the City publishes them (park washrooms are seasonal). Malls, shops and TTC stations are not included.

Child care

Eight licensed child care centres within a kilometre offer 825 spaces; four accept City fee subsidy. The nearest is Yonge Hearts Child Care Centre (145 m, 114 spaces, infant, toddler, preschool).

Within 1 km8 centres · 825 spaces
Fee subsidy4 of 8
  • Yonge Hearts Child Care Centre · 5176 Yonge St
    114 spaces · infant, toddler, preschool · fee subsidy · $10-a-day
    145 m
  • Yonge-Churchill Child Care Centre · 5350 Yonge St
    118 spaces · infant, toddler, preschool, school age · $10-a-day
    554 m
  • McKee McKids Enrichment Centre · 35 Church Ave
    166 spaces · preschool, kindergarten, school age · fee subsidy · $10-a-day
    558 m
  • Lansing Co-Op Nursery School · 80 Church Ave
    32 spaces · preschool · $10-a-day
    678 m

Licensed centres only; spaces are licensed capacity, not vacancies.

Emergency services

The nearest fire hall is Fire Station 114 (422 m), the nearest police station 32 Division (324 m) and the nearest ambulance station 422 m away.

FireFire Station 114 · 422 m12 Canterbury Pl
Police32 Division · 324 m30 Ellerslie Avenue
AmbulanceAmbulance Station 58 · 422 m12 Canterbury Pl

Nearest station by straight line — not a response time, and not necessarily the station that would answer a call.

Apartment buildings nearby

RentSafeTO-registered rental buildings within 1 km, with the City's latest evaluation score

Eight registered apartment buildings with 2,330 rental units stand within a kilometre of the corner, two of them social or Toronto Community Housing — well below the median of 22. The nearest is 35 Park Home Ave (246 m, 283 units, 10 storeys, built 1974), which scored 92 out of 100 at its August 2025 RentSafeTO evaluation. None scored below 70; the average is 95, above the 90 typical of Toronto intersections. The Landlord and Tenant Board issued 8 final orders naming these buildings in the latest half-year of its catalogue, and 5 fire-code violations are open across them.

Registered buildings8 · 2,330 units · 2 social housing
RentSafeTO score95 average · none below 70
LTB orders, Jan 2026 – Jun 20268 across the 8
Open fire-code violations5
Tallest36 storeys
Nearest buildingsUnitsStoreysBuiltScoreLTB ordersDistance
35 Park Home AveToronto Community Housing · Toronto Community Housing Corporation28310197492 · Aug 20250246 m
55 Ellerslie Ave · M&r Property Management39117196699 · Jun 20242 · 1 fire256 m
65 Ellerslie Ave · M&r Property Management1076196697 · Oct 20250288 m
151 Beecroft Rd30627200397 · Aug 20250484 m
35 Greenfield Ave · Rhapsody Property Management Services36136202098 · Jun 20243 · 1 fire690 m
2 Forest Laneway · Tandem Property Management Inc36629197690 · Aug 20252 · 1 fire734 m
5430 Yonge StToronto Community Housing · Toronto Community Housing Corporation23914198695 · Aug 20250767 m
4 Forest Laneway · Tandem Property Management Inc27729197590 · Aug 20251 · 2 fire781 m

The City's RentSafeTO register — rental apartment buildings of three or more storeys and ten or more units — with the score from each building's latest City evaluation (out of 100; poor scores trigger a full audit). LTB orders are final Landlord and Tenant Board orders naming the address (Jan 2026 – Jun 2026); fire-code violations are open items in Toronto Fire Services' inspection data. Each building links to its full record on LandlordReport. Condominiums and houses are not registered.

Parking

Every mapped lot within 2 km, Green P with peak occupancy, City EV charging and bike parking

All parking lots421 lots · ≈31,530 spaces · 94.6 ha
Within 500 m54 lots · ≈2,320 spaces
Green P (public)11 car parks · about 3,375 spaces
EV charging (City)33 Elmhurst Ave · 719 m · 2 Level 2 ports
Bike parking49 post-and-rings within 300 m · racks for 64 bikes within 600 m
Green P car parkDistanceSpacesPeak occupancy
10 Empress Ave · Surface40 m6769% (Q1 2026)
10 Kingsdale Ave · Surface125 m5344% (Q1 2026)
180 Beecroft Road · Surface322 m173 *
95 Beecroft Rd · Garage638 m38615% (Q1 2026)
10 Harlandale Avenue · Surface791 m112 *

Nearest lots: 61 m away, ≈62 spaces (Green P); 80 m away, ≈14 spaces (Green P); 100 m away, ≈33 spaces; 104 m away, ≈40 spaces; 131 m away, ≈15 spaces (Green P); 149 m away, ≈32 spaces. More EV charging: 19 Glendora Ave (1.1 km, 2 ports); 19 Glendora Ave (1.1 km, 2 ports).

Lot count and area from the City's topographic mapping of parking-lot footprints (every visible surface lot, public or private); spaces are estimated at one per 30 m² of lot. Lots not run by Green P are private, commercial or institutional and may be for customers or residents only. Green P spaces and average daily peak occupancy from the Toronto Parking Authority's quarterly dataset (* = capacity from the 2019 car-park list; rates are not shown because that list is stale — check Green P). EV chargers are City-operated only; on-street and underground parking are not included.

Traffic volume

The City's latest turning-movement count — 14-hour, May 26, 2026

The south leg carries the load — 12,954 northbound vehicles, or 42% of everything entering — while the east leg brought 2,865. Most cyclists arrived from the north (302 of 583). The morning and afternoon peaks are nearly equal: 2,763 vehicles in the hour from 8:15 a.m. and 2,589 from 4:45 p.m. Heavy vehicles made up 2.8% of traffic (typical: 3.2%). The citywide median for a 14-hour count is 16,183 vehicles. The count is recent, so it reflects current conditions.

From the north11,307southbound · 302 bikes · 3.2% heavy
From the west3,464eastbound · 72 bikes · 1.4% heavy
Total vehicles30,59019,150 pedestrians · 583 cyclists · 2.8% heavy
From the east2,865westbound · 101 bikes · 1.4% heavy
From the south12,954northbound · 108 bikes · 3.2% heavy
AM peak hour2,763 vehicles from 8:15 a.m.
PM peak hour2,589 vehicles from 4:45 p.m.
Count14-hour · May 26, 2026

Approach figures are vehicles entering the intersection from that leg over the whole count. A count is one day's traffic, not an annual average; the City recounts on an ad-hoc schedule.

How fast traffic moves here

Midblock speed counts on the intersection's streets, the nearest school-zone speed sign, and traffic calming

The City's counter on Park Home Ave between Beecroft Rd and Tamworth Rd (387 m away) recorded an average of 43 km/h in its 24-hour count in June 2013; 85% of drivers were at or under 50 km/h. That segment carries about 5,300 vehicles a day. Empress Ave between Doris Ave and Kenneth Ave measured slower: 36 km/h on average and an 85th percentile of 44 km/h (Sep 2020). The reading is 13 years old; the City counts on request rather than on a schedule. At the school-zone speed sign on Doris Ave (181 m away, 30 km/h limit), 20% of the 220,104 vehicles logged in July 2026 were doing 40 km/h or more — a high share for a school zone.

Street segmentCountedVehicles / dayAverage85th percentile95th
Yonge St · Park Home Ave – Kingsdale Ave · 49 mOct 2012 · 3 days24,762
Empress Ave · Doris Ave – Kenneth Ave · 298 mSep 2020 · 3 days4,44236 km/h44 km/h49 km/h
Park Home Ave · Beecroft Rd – Tamworth Rd · 387 mJun 2013 · 24 h5,33243 km/h50 km/h55 km/h

School-zone speed sign 181 m

Posted limit30 km/h
Median · 85th pct30 · 43 km/h
Over the limit35%
40 km/h or more20%

Doris Ave (northbound), 208 Doris Avenue · 220,104 vehicles logged in July 2026 · runs weekdays, 7 am - 9 pm.

Midblock counts are automatic counters laid across the road for one to seven days; the 85th-percentile speed is the figure engineers use — 85% of drivers were at or below it. Counts are ad hoc, so some are years old. A midblock reading is not the speed through the intersection itself, and posted limits are not in the count data.

All police-reported collisions

Every collision reported to Toronto Police within 65 m, any severity, 2016–2025

2019 was the peak year (50 collisions), and 2025 closed with 31. 10% of collisions here involved an injury, below the 15% citywide. 67 drivers failed to remain at the scene — 20% of collisions, a higher hit-and-run share than the city's 16%. People walking or cycling were involved in 3% of collisions here (citywide: 5%). Since January 2026, 10 more collisions have been reported; they sit outside the ranking window. The most recent report on file is from Jun 8, 2026.

By year

16171819202122232425

Exposure-adjusted: 11.0 collisions per year per 10,000 daily vehicles, using the latest 14-hour count.

2016–2025Collisions
All reported collisions335#246 of 5,508
With an injury33#455 of 4,660
Property damage only241
Fail to remain67
Involving a pedestrian7#494 of 3,193
Involving a cyclist3#935 of 2,576
Involving a motorcyclist1
With a fatality0
Severity not classified61
Since January 2026 (outside the window)10
All since 2014401latest Jun 8, 2026

Source: Toronto Police Service, Traffic Collisions Open Data — every collision reported to police since 2014, within 65 m of this node. Records through Jun 30, 2026.

Killed or seriously injured

Collisions in which someone died or was seriously injured, within 65 m, 2016–2025 — the basis of the danger rankings

One collision in 2016–2025 left someone seriously injured; it was not fatal. 1 pedestrian was among those hurt. It happened in daylight or lit conditions. The most recent was on Feb 28, 2020. Going back to 2006, the total is 3.

By year

16171819202122232425
2016–2025Collisions
All KSI collisions1#1492 of 1,505
Fatal0
Involving a pedestrian1#870 of 879
Involving a cyclist0
Involving a motorcyclist0
In darkness0
All KSI since 20063latest Feb 28, 2020

KSI = killed or seriously injured. A collision is counted if its recorded location is within 65 m of this intersection's centreline node, whether the police coded it as intersection-related or mid-block. Records can lag a year or more, so the current year is excluded from rankings.

Thefts reported at this corner

Thefts from vehicles and bicycle thefts that Toronto Police have offset to this intersection, 2016–2025

Toronto Police place 44 thefts from vehicles and 31 bicycle thefts at this intersection in 2016–2025 — 13× the median for a Toronto intersection with any reported theft. The pace has been steady at around 7.5 a year. 91% of the vehicle thefts were from the street or other outdoor spots; 42% of the bike thefts were from the street or other outdoor spots. Since January 2026, 2 more have been reported, the latest on Mar 12, 2026.

By year

16171819202122232425
2016–2025Reported2023–2025Since Jan 2026Most often from
Theft from a vehicle44152street/outdoor (40), apartment parking (4)
Bicycle theft31110street/outdoor (13), apartment parking (7)

Source: Toronto Police Service, Theft From Motor Vehicle and Bicycle Thefts open data, records through Mar 12, 2026. Police offset every occurrence to the nearest intersection before publishing, so these are thefts on the streets and premises around this node, not necessarily at the corner itself. Other offences are published by neighbourhood only — see Yonge-Doris.

Nearby intersections

Questions

Is Yonge & Empress a dangerous intersection?

It is not among the worst. 1 serious-injury collision was recorded in 2016–2025 (#1492 of 1,505), out of 335 reported collisions of any severity. High counts usually track high traffic volume rather than a design flaw; volume is shown alongside so the numbers can be read in context.

How busy is Yonge & Empress?

A busier-than-typical intersection. It ranks #307 of 2,390 counted intersections for vehicles, 1.89× the median for a counted intersection, and #89 for pedestrians.

Is there a red-light camera at Yonge & Empress?

Yes. A red-light camera has operated at Yonge & Empress since 2022, according to the City of Toronto's red-light camera list. It issued 518 tickets in 2025 (918 in 2024) and 348 in 2026 through Jun 30, 2026; 3,768 since it was switched on.

How many red-light camera tickets are issued at Yonge & Empress?

518 in 2025, according to the City's annual charges data — down from 918 in 2024, and 348 in 2026 through Jun 30, 2026. The camera has issued 3,768 tickets since 2022. A red-light camera ticket in Toronto is $325 and carries no demerit points because it is issued to the vehicle's owner.

How fast do cars go at Yonge & Empress?

The City's most recent speed count near the corner, on Park Home Ave between Beecroft Rd and Tamworth Rd (June 2013), found an average of 43 km/h and an 85th-percentile speed of 50 km/h — meaning 85% of drivers were at or below that speed. At the school-zone speed sign 181 m away (30 km/h), 20% of vehicles were doing 40 km/h or more in July 2026.

Where can I park near Yonge & Empress?

The nearest Green P car park is 10 Empress Ave (40 m away, 67 spaces, 69% full at the daily peak in Q1 2026). The City's mapping shows 421 parking lots of any kind within 2 km — roughly 31,530 spaces — 54 of them within 500 m; most are private or customer-only lots. The nearest City EV charger is at 33 Elmhurst Ave (719 m).

How do I get to Yonge & Empress by transit?

North York Centre Station (Line 1) is 85 m away; bus routes 97, 98, 185, 84, 984 within 1 km (nearest stop: Yonge St at Empress Ave - North York Centre Station, 22 m).

What restaurants are near Yonge & Empress?

44 restaurants, cafés and takeouts are within 300 m, and 298 within a kilometre, according to Toronto Public Health's DineSafe inspection list. The closest are Booster Juice (43 m), Subway (43 m), Sultans Mediterranean Grill (43 m), Z-Teca (43 m) and La Prep (43 m). Each one's latest inspection result is shown on this page; DineSafe does not record cuisine or opening hours.

Is there a public washroom near Yonge & Empress?

The nearest is Mel Lastman Square Washroom, 5100 Yonge St, 245 m away (View centre hours). The City currently lists it as closed: planned closure. Next nearest: Lee Lifeson Art Park Washroom (247 m); Douglas Snow Aquatic Centre Washroom (271 m). These are the City's own washrooms — in parks, civic buildings and automated street toilets — not those in malls, coffee shops or TTC stations.

Is there child care near Yonge & Empress?

Eight licensed child care centres within 1 km, with 825 spaces in total; 4 accept City fee subsidy and some are in the $10-a-day (CWELCC) program. The nearest are Yonge Hearts Child Care Centre (145 m, 114 spaces), Yonge-Churchill Child Care Centre (554 m, 118 spaces) and McKee McKids Enrichment Centre (558 m, 166 spaces). Spaces are licensed capacity, not vacancies.

What apartment buildings are near Yonge & Empress?

Eight RentSafeTO-registered apartment buildings with 2,330 rental units are within 1 km. The nearest are 35 Park Home Ave (246 m, 283 units, RentSafeTO score 92), 55 Ellerslie Ave (256 m, 391 units, RentSafeTO score 99), 65 Ellerslie Ave (288 m, 107 units, RentSafeTO score 97) and 151 Beecroft Rd (484 m, 306 units, RentSafeTO score 97). The average RentSafeTO score across the 8 is 95 out of 100. Condos and houses are not on the City's register. Each building's full record — score history, LTB orders, fire-code inspections, permits — is on LandlordReport.

How many thefts are reported at Yonge & Empress?

Toronto Police place 44 thefts from vehicles and 31 bicycle thefts at this intersection in 2016–2025, plus 2 since January 2026. Police offset every reported occurrence to the nearest intersection before publishing it, so the count covers the streets, driveways and parking around this corner rather than the corner itself. Break-ins, robberies and other offences are published by neighbourhood only — see the Yonge-Doris page.

What neighbourhood is Yonge & Empress in?

Yonge & Empress is in Yonge-Doris (City of Toronto neighbourhood 151). It is in Ward 18, Willowdale, represented by Councillor Lily Cheng. The corner falls inside the Yonge North York Business Improvement Area.

Sources

Every figure on this page comes from one of these datasets — how they are joined