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Workers install fences around the Toronto Metro Convention Centre that will host the G20 summit later this month, in Toronto on Monday, June 7, 2010.

Toronto residents watched Monday morning as crews began to install a three-metre fence along downtown streets in preparation of the upcoming G20 summit.

The fence, which will create the security perimeter for the event, will be installed along Lake Shore Blvd., between Rees St. and Simcoe, and stretch up to Wellington St., from Peter St. to about Bay St. The public will be able to move freely in and around the fenced perimeter until Friday, June 25. After that, security checkpoints will be set up and residents and those working inside the fenced area will have to show photo identification to get through.

Sgt. John Ferris, with the Toronto Police, said that construction for the security fence began at about 10 p.m. ET last night, with crews working through the night until about 7 a.m. Construction resumed at about 9 a.m. and will pause during the afternoon rush hour. Sgt. Ferris could not say how long the installation of the fence would take, but said it would likely take days.

The security fence is being erected in two stages. First, concrete barriers about three-feet high are being installed along the perimeter. Then, mesh wiring, attached to three-metre high metal posts, is being secured on top of the barriers.

Local councillor Adam Vaughan stopped by to witness the construction, and echoed his message about the disruption the security barrier would mean for downtown residents. "This is about a month's worth of disruption," he said. "It's a concern about how to get from point A to point B." Mr. Vaughan added that elderly residents, and those with children, will have an especially hard time moving through the area during the summit.

Mary Casati, who lives in nearby CityPlace, said that the security fence has meant that her son's daycare will be shut down during the days leading up to the G20 summit. "I have grandparents and people who can take care of the kids, but I can see people who don't have that," she said. "It's a bit of a challenge." She added that the fence will add about a half-hour to her morning walk to the kids' daycare.

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