July 3, 1998
To:Toronto Community Council
From:Andrew Koropeski, Director, Infrastructure Planning and Transportation, City
Works Services
Subject:Close Avenue from Queen Street West to Springhurst Avenue - Installation of
Speed Humps (High Park)
Purpose:
To reduce the speed of traffic on Close Avenue.
Funding Source, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
The estimated cost for this proposal is $13,500, funds for which are available in Works and
Emergency Services 1998 Capital Fund Code No. 296702.
Recommendations:
(1)That approval be given to alter sections of the roadway on Close Avenue, from Queen
Street West to Springhurst Avenue for traffic calming purposes as described below, with
implementation subject to the favourable results of polling of the affected residents pursuant
to the policy related to speed hump installation as adopted by the former City of Toronto
Council:
"The construction of speed humps on CLOSE AVENUE from Queen Street West to
Springhurst Avenue, generally as shown on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5208,
dated June, 1998";
(2)That the speed limit be reduced from forty kilometres per hour to thirty kilometres per
hour on Close Avenue from Queen Street West to Springhurst Avenue, coincident with the
implementation of the traffic calming measures; and
(3)That the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take whatever action is
necessary to implement the foregoing, including the introduction in Council of any Bills that
might be required.
Comments:
At the request of Ward Councillor and area residents, Works staff assessed the feasibility of
implementing speed humps on Close Avenue from Queen Street West to Springhurst
Avenue in response to concerns about the volume and excessive speed of traffic on this
street.
Close Avenue from Queen Street West to a point 43 metres further south, operates two-way
with a pavement width of 6.1 metres, and from a point 43 metres south of Queen Street West
to Springhurst Avenue, operates one-way southbound with a pavement width which varies
between 6.1 to 7.3 metres. The posted speed limit is 40 kilometres per hour.
Close Avenue is approximately 783 metres long and at its mid-point, intersects with King
Street West. "Stop" sign controls are posted for northbound traffic at Queen Street West and
for southbound traffic at King Street West and at Springhurst Avenue. Heavy trucks are
prohibited at all times.
The following summarizes the data which was obtained from traffic counts undertaken by
Works staff on Close Avenue in October, 1997:
| 24 Hour Speed and Volume Survey
Close Avenue from Queen Street West to Springhurst Avenue
(Maximum Speed Limit - 40 Kilometres per Hour) |
| Location |
Direction of
Travel |
Total
Number
of
Vehicles |
No. of
Vehicles
Travelling
40 Km/Hr
or Less |
No. of
Vehicles
Travelling
41 - 50
Km/Hr
|
No. of
Vehicles
Travelling
51 Km/Hr
or More |
| Queen St. W.
to King St. W. |
Southbound |
1,963
(100%) |
1,084
(55.2%) |
665
(33.9%) |
215
(10.9%) |
| King St. W. to
Springhurst
Avenue |
Southbound |
1,570
(100%) |
787
(50.1%) |
616
(39.2%) |
167
(10.7%) |
As can be seen from the table, the incidence of motorists' travelling in excess of the forty
kilometres per hour speed limit on Close Avenue between Queen Street West and King
Street West is approximately 45%. The percentage of vehicles recorded at a rate of speed in
excess of fifty kilometres per hour is approximately 11% of all traffic. Similarly, the
incidence of speeding in excess of the forty kilometres per hour speed limit on Close
Avenue between King Street West and Springhurst Avenue is approximately 50%, with
about 11% in excess of fifty kilometres per hour. This speed profile is of concern given the
proximity of the adjacent schools along Close Avenue.
The traffic calming proposal, as illustrated on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5208
dated June 1998, consists of nine speed humps at spacings of 45 to 90 metres. A speed limit
reduction to 30 km/h, as permitted by the City of Toronto Act, 1996, would be appropriate.
No impacts on parking are anticipated, no changes to parking regulations are required, and
the effects on snow removal, street cleaning and garbage collection should be minimal.
As stipulated in the Policy, once it has been determined that speed hump installation is
technically warranted, a formal City poll should be conducted of adults (18 years and older)
of households directly abutting the affected section of street, and also households on side
streets whose only access is from the street under consideration for speed hump installations.
Under this policy, at least 60% of those responding should be in favour of the proposal to
authorize implementation. Accordingly, staff will conduct a poll of residents and report on
the poll results at the deputation meeting for the project.
The changes proposed to the Close Avenue roadway as set out above constitute an
alteration to a public highway pursuant to the provisions of the Municipal Act. The intent of
Council to enact a by-law to authorize any physical changes resulting in the alteration of the
pavement configuration must be advertised and subsequently be subject to a public hearing.
In the interim, consultations with the emergency services agencies will be undertaken to
ensure that the detailed design does not unduly hamper their respective operations.
This project is pre-approved in accordance with Schedule A of the Class Environmental
Assessment for Municipal Roads Project.
Contact Name and Telephone Number:
Spiros Stamopoulos, Traffic Investigator, 392-7771
Director
SS/ss
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