April 22, 1998

 To:The Urban Environment and Development Committee

From:Interim Functional Lead, Transportation

Subject:Proposed Installation of Traffic Control Signals Near No. 1775 Weston Road

York-Humber: Councillors Frances Nunziata, Bill Saundercook

Purpose:

To install mid-block pedestrian actuated traffic control signals on Weston Road, near No. 1775 Weston Road.

Funding Sources:

The funds associated with new traffic signal installations are contained in the Transportation Division's Capital Budget Estimates under Project No. C-TR031. The estimated cost for the installation of traffic control signals on Weston Road, near No. 1775 Weston Road, is $41,000.00.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)mid-block pedestrian actuated traffic control signals be installed on Weston Road, near No. 1775 Weston Road, approximately 202 metres north of Wright Avenue/Wilby Crescent; and

(2)installation be subject to the approval of the 1998 Capital Works Program and the securing of appropriate financing.

Background:

At its meeting held on October 8 and 9, 1997 the former Metropolitan Council adopted a motion which requested a report on traffic conditions on Weston Road, from King Street to the Price Chopper grocery store just south of Wright Avenue/Wilby Crescent, and that such a report look into:

(1)the distance between traffic signals on Weston Road from King Street to Denison Avenue;

(2)locating the new traffic signal between the two apartment buildings at 1775 and 1765 Weston Road;

(3)moving the traffic signals from Weston Road and Wright Avenue/Wilby Crescent south to a driveway at the Price Chopper grocery store;

(4)synchronising the traffic control signals in this area so that if they are relocated from Wright Avenue/Wilby Crescent to the Price Chopper driveway, motorists will still be able to exit from these side streets; and

(5)installing the new signals as early in 1998 as possible.

In the Spring of 1997, in response to requests from former Chairman Alan Tonks and former Mayor of York Frances Nunziata, our Department conducted studies on Weston Road, between Lawrence Avenue West and Wright Avenue/Wilby Crescent, to determine the feasibility of installing pedestrian crossing protection. As a result of these studies, we advised that the installation of traffic control signals was justified at the mutual driveway to the Weston United Pentecostal Church (No. 1831 Weston Road) and the John Anderson Restaurant (No. 1825 Weston Road).

Because the installation of traffic control signals at this location would displace on-street parking spaces, and would not serve all of the pedestrian crossing demand, consultations were held with the local business association and affected residents.

The majority of those businesses consulted did not support traffic signals in the vicinity of Nos. 1831 and 1825 Weston Road because of the impact to on-street parking. In addition, the residents did not feel that signals at this location would adequately serve pedestrian needs. As a result, we were asked to review the feasibility of installing traffic control signals between the two high-rise apartment buildings at Nos. 1775 and 1765 Weston Road. Also, to provide better spacing between traffic control signals, we were asked to review the feasibility of relocating existing traffic control signals from the intersection of Weston Road and Wright Avenue/Wilby Crescent to the Price Chopper driveway located approximately 100 metres to the south.

Discussion:

On Weston Road, between King Street and Denison Avenue, traffic control signals are provided at the intersections with King Street, Little Avenue/Elsmere Avenue, John Street, Lawrence Avenue West, Wright Avenue/Wilby Crescent, and Denison Avenue. The diagram in Appendix 1 shows the spacing between each of these signalized intersections. Also shown on this diagram are the driveways to Nos. 1775 and 1765 Weston Road, and the Price Choppers' driveway.

We reviewed the suggestion to relocate the traffic control signals from Wright Avenue/Wilby Crescent southerly to the Price Chopper driveway. This proposal is intended to provide increased spacing between signals on Weston Road in the event that traffic control signals are installed between the driveways to Nos. 1775 and 1765 Weston Road. However, the minimum technical warrants for traffic control signals are not satisfied at the Price Chopper driveway. Furthermore, there is a greater need for these controls at their existing location. If these traffic control signals were to be relocated to the Price Chopper driveway, they would accommodate fewer pedestrians and less vehicles than at their current location at Wright Avenue/Wilby Crescent.

We have further reviewed the request to install traffic control signals in the immediate vicinity of the driveways to No. 1775 and 1765 Weston Road. We have determined that it is feasible to install mid-block pedestrian actuated signals immediately south of the driveway to No. 1775 Weston Road. This location is approximately 202 metres north of Wright Avenue/Wilby Crescent, and approximately 255 metres south of Lawrence Avenue West. These signals would serve the area crossing demand at Nos. 1831 and 1825 Weston Road and at Nos. 1775 and 1765 Weston Road. The installation of traffic control signals at this location would result in the loss of approximately 12 metered parking spaces. This proposed location for the traffic control signals is superior to the earlier proposed location because it is better suited for serving the residential pedestrian crossing demand and has less impact on business-related parking. The spacing resulting from this proposed traffic control signal installation is appropriate with respect to the roadway geometry and traffic conditions on Weston Road in this vicinity.

Following approval of a group of traffic control signal installations, tender documents will be prepared, and qualified contractors will be asked to submit bids for this work. The installation of these traffic control signals is subject to the approval of the 1998 Capital Works Program, which is scheduled to be considered by City Council on April 28, 1998.

Conclusions:

Traffic control signals should be installed on Weston Road, near No. 1775 Weston Road, approximately 202 metres north of Wright Avenue/Wilby Crescent, to provide pedestrian crossing protection. If approved, this location will be subject to competing priorities and available funding.

Contact Name:

Jacqueline White, Acting Manager

Central Traffic Region

416-397-5021

D. P. Floyd

Interim Functional Lead, Transportation

Reviewed by Barry Gutteridge

Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services

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