November 25, 1998
To:Toronto Community Council
From:Andrew Koropeski, Director, Transportation Services District 1
Subject:Briar Hill Avenue between Caldow Road and Chaplin Crescent - Installation of speed
humps. (North Toronto)
Purpose:
To reduce the incidence of speeding vehicles on Briar Hill Avenue between Caldow Road and
Chaplin Crescent.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
The estimated cost for this proposal is $11,000.00, funds for which are available in the Works
and Emergency Services 1998 Capital Fund Code No. 296702.
Recommendations:
(1)That approval be given to alter sections of the roadway on Briar Hill Avenue, from
Caldow Road to Chaplin Crescent 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 BRIAR HILL AVENUE from Caldow Road to Chaplin
Crescent, generally as shown on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5282, dated October,
1998,"
(2)That the speed limit be reduced from forty kilometres per hour to thirty kilometres per
hour on Briar Hill Avenue from Caldow Road to Chaplin Crescent, 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
may be required.
Comments:
At the request of Councillor Michael Walker, on behalf of area residents, Works staff
investigated concerns regarding excessive speeding and the feasibility of implementing speed
humps on Briar Hill Avenue from Caldow Road to Chaplin Crescent.
Briar Hill Avenue from Caldow Road to Chaplin Crescent operates two-way with a pavement
width of 8.5 metres and a maximum speed limit of 40 kilometres per hour.
Works staff recently conducted a twenty-four hour speed and volume survey over a period of
five days on the subject section of Briar Hill Avenue. On average, Briar Hill Avenue between
Caldow Road and Chaplin Crescent carries a combined total of 1,350 vehicles per day in both
directions, of which 52% travelled at a rate of speed in excess of 55 kilometres per hour.
The traffic calming proposal, as illustrated on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5282
dated October, 1998 consists of five speed humps with spacings between the speed humps of
approximately 40 to 90 metres. A speed limit reduction to 30 kilometres per hour would also
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 Speed Hump policy, once it has been determined that speed hump
installation is technically warranted, a formal poll should be conducted of adults (18 years of
age 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 Briar Hill Avenue, as described 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 by subject to a public hearing. In the
interim, consultations with the emergency services agencies has been 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:
Teresa Carmichael, Traffic Investigator, 392-7771
Director
TFC/tc
Attachment
(p:\1998\ug\cws\division\committee98232division) - acb
