September 2, 1998

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Andrew Koropeski, Director, Infrastructure Planning and Transportation, City Works Services

Subject:Reversal of one-way southbound operation on St. Clarens Avenue between Bloor Street West and Paton Road (Ward 21 - Davenport)

Purpose:

To report on the reversal of the existing one-way southbound operation on St. Clarens Avenue, between Bloor Street West and Paton Road, to a one-way northbound operation.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Not applicable.

Recommendation:

That this report be received for information.

Background:

At its meeting of July 29, 30 and 31, 1998 City Council, in considering Clause No. 23 in Toronto Community Council Report No. 10 entitled, "Installation of Speed Humps - Margueretta Street from Bloor Street West to Wallace Avenue (Davenport)", amended the foregoing Clause by adding thereto "It is further recommended that the General Manager, Transportation Services, be requested to submit a report to the Toronto Community Council on the feasibility of reverting St. Clarens Avenue, from Bloor Street West to Paton Road, back to a northbound, one-way street."

Comments:

In response to a memorandum dated September 30, 1993 addressed to the City Services Committee from former Councillor Rob Maxwell, Works was requested to review the possibility of reversing one block of St. Clarens Avenue, between Bloor Street West and Paton Road, from one-way northbound to one-way southbound, to address concerns raised by area residents regarding certain illegal activities taking place on St. Clarens Avenue just north of Bloor Street West.

The City Services Committee at its meeting of October 13, 1993 recommended that the above-noted block of St. Clarens Avenue be reversed to operate one-way southbound for a six month trial period and that the Commissioner report back on the results of the trial. The Committee also requested that the Commissioner report directly to City Council on November 1, 1993 on the implementation of this proposal.

Works staff undertook a study and prepared a report to City Council advising that the reversal of the one-way operation on this portion of St. Clarens Avenue would likely result in a shift of the traffic pattern west from the existing area to an adjacent area including Lansdowne Avenue and that the change would not curtail the illegal activity, just shift the problem over to the next available northbound street, namely Lansdowne Avenue. It was anticipated that Lansdowne Avenue would experience an increase in traffic of about 900 vehicles per day and that approximately 650 southbound vehicles would be displaced from neighbouring streets onto St. Clarens Avenue as a result of the reversal. City Council adopted the City Services Committee's recommendation and approved the one-way reversal at its meeting of November 1 and 2, 1993 (Clause 36 in City Services Committee Report No. 13). Signs to give effect thereto were posted on January 5, 1994.

In a report dated August 18, 1994 to the City Services Committee, the Commissioner, as requested, reported back after the six month trial. It was noted that there had been a 44% increase in traffic on St. Clarens Avenue between Paton Road and Bloor Street West but that on Emerson Avenue, one street to the east and the nearest southbound operating street, traffic had been reduced by approximately 17%. There had been no complaints from area residents during the trial period and it was recommended that the one-way operation be maintained. The report was received by the City Services Committee at its meeting of August 31, 1994.

Should Toronto Community Council wish to proceed with the one-way reversal of the portion of St. Clarens Avenue between Bloor Street West and Paton Road, then the following recommendations should be adopted:

(1)That the existing one-way southbound regulation on St. Clarens Avenue from Bloor Street West to Paton Road be rescinded;

(2)That a one-way northbound regulation be established on St. Clarens Avenue from Bloor Street West to Paton Road; and

(3)That the appropriate City Officials be requested to take whatever action is necessary to give effect to the foregoing, including the introduction in Council of any Bills that are required.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Erin Holl, 392-7892

Co-ordinator - Transportation Operations Section

Director

EH/eh

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