Soon, there will be a new way to cross some busy street corners in downtown Toronto.

In Western Canada it's called a "barn dance" — in Toronto it's being called a "scramble." 

Pedestrians in downtown will find new ways to cross busy intersections starting next year.
(CP PHOTO/Aaron Harris)

What it means is that traffic will stop in all four directions, followed by a pedestrian free-for-all, where people cross the street in any direction they chose: left, right, diagonal.

For starters, four corners will come under the new rules: Yonge and Bloor, Yonge and Dundas, Bay and Bloor, and Bay and Dundas.

Some people like the idea, while others worry it might not be totally safe.

But the city says it will be safer for pedestrians and better for cars,
because when traffic is moving there will be no turning restrictions.

"It's time to give greater priority to pedestrians and a bit less priority to automobiles," said Gary Welsh, general manager of the city's transportation services.

The scramble is only in effect when there are lots of feet on the street.  Things would go back to normal overnight.

It's all part of a larger plan to improve life for pedestrians in Toronto.

The scramble at Yonge and Bloor will start in the spring.