September 2, 1998

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Andrew Koropeski, Director, Infrastructure Planning and Transportation,

Works and Emergency Services

Subject:Roxborough Drive from Mt. Pleasant Road to Highland Avenue - Proposed installation of speed humps (Ward 23 - Midtown)

Purpose:

To reduce the speed of traffic on Roxborough Drive from Mt. Pleasant Road to Highland Avenue by the introduction of speed humps.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Funds to cover the cost of this work in the estimated amount of $8,000 are available under Capital Fund Code No. 296702.

Recommendations:

1. That approval be given to alter sections of the roadway on Roxborough Drive, from Mt. Pleasant Road to Highland Avenue for traffic calming purposes as described below, with implementation subject to favourable results of the polling of 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 Roxborough Drive, from Mt. Pleasant Road to Highland Avenue, generally as shown on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5242, dated August 1998";

2. That the speed limit be reduced from forty kilometres per hour to thirty kilometres per hour on Roxborough Drive from Mt. Pleasant Road to Highland Avenue coincident with the implementation of speed humps; and

3. That the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to implement the foregoing, including the introduction in Council of any Bills that might be required.

Comments:

At the request of the Midtown Ward Councillors and area residents, a staff investigation was conducted to determine the feasibility of installing speed humps on Roxborough Drive from Mt. Pleasant Road to Highland Avenue to reduce the speed of motor vehicles on this street.

Roxborough Drive is a local residential street, winding and hilly in nature, which operates two-way between Mt. Pleasant Road and Highland Avenue. The easterly portion of the street has a gradient of between 6% and 8% with a sharp curve while the westerly portion has more moderate gradients and a much gentler curve. Concerns about the speed of vehicles and loss of control have historically been focused at the sharp curve at the end of the steepest portion of the road. A flashing yellow light, with an advisory 20 kilometres per hour speed and sharp curve symbol signs have been installed to clearly indicate to motorists the need for extra caution at this location.

Roxborough Drive between Mt. Pleasant Road and Highland Avenue has a pavement width of 7.3 metres, a speed limit of 40 kilometres per hour and carries about 1,200 vehicles per day. Parking is permitted on the south side only, from a point 73 m east of Mt. Pleasant Road to a point 160 m further east for a maximum period of three hours. The permit parking system is not in place on this street.

Speed surveys have revealed that at least 59% of the vehicles are travelling in excess of the 40 kilometre per hour speed limit and at least 12 % are travelling more than 10 kilometres per hour over the limit. I also note that this survey was taken towards the Mt. Pleasant Road end of Roxborough Drive where the roadway is more level and speeds, particularly westbound, may not be at their maximum.

As the gradient from the sharp curve to the Highland Avenue end of the street is in excess of 5% speed humps cannot be safely installed on this section of Roxborough Drive. However, four speed humps could be installed on the remaining portion of the roadway as shown on the attached Drawing No. 421F-5242, dated August 1998. I note that the first hump west of the curve is placed approximately 70 metres from the curve and as a further precaution signs informing westbound motorists that speed humps are ahead would be posted in advance of the curve. With speed humps on the western portion and the recently installed traffic circle at the Highland Avenue end, the speed limit on this portion of Roxborough Drive should be reduced to 30 kilometres per hour.

In light of the historical speed related problems on this street and the current amount of speeding it is recommended that residents be polled to determine whether there is community support for speed humps as outlined above. The poll should be conducted of adults (18 years and older) of households directly abutting the affected street, and households on Old George Place whose only access is from Roxborough Drive. At least 60% of valid responses should support the plan in order to authorize the installation. The final decision rests with City Council.

The changes proposed to Roxborough Drive as set out above constitute alterations to a public highway pursuant to the provisions of the Municipal Act.

Accordingly, 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. It is noted that emergency services will be advised of the proposal to ensure that the detailed design does not unduly hamper their operations.

This project is pre-approved in accordance with Schedule A of the Class Environmental Assessment for Municipal Roads Projects.

Contact Name and Telephone Number

Mike Harris, Transportation Planner, 392-7711

Director

MJH/sah

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