April 20, 1998

 To:The Urban Environment and Development Committee

 From:Interim Functional Lead, Transportation

 Subject:Designation of Left-Turn Lanes

St. Clair Avenue West and Caledonia Road

 Toronto-Davenport: Councillors Betty Disero, Dennis Fotinos

 Purpose:

 To designate eastbound and westbound left-turn lanes on St. Clair Avenue West at Caledonia Road in order to improve the operational safety of this intersection.

 Funding Sources:

 The funds for this work are contained in the Transportation Division's 1998 Current Budget Estimates. The estimated cost of installing the signs and pavement markings is $2,400.00.

 Recommendations:

 It is recommended that:

 (1)the northerly eastbound lane on St. Clair Avenue West be designated for left-turning movements only (T.T.C. Vehicles Excepted) between a point 35 metres west of the west curb line of Caledonia Road and the west curb line of Caledonia Road;

 (2)the southerly westbound lane on St. Clair Avenue West be designated for left-turning movements only (T.T.C. Vehicles Excepted) between the east curb line of Caledonia Road and a point 35 metres east thereof; and

 (3)the appropriate by-law(s) be amended accordingly.

  Background:

 At the request of Councillor Betty Disero, this Department conducted a review of the St. Clair Avenue West and Caledonia Road intersection with a view to improving its operational safety.

 Discussion:

 The intersection of St. Clair Avenue West and Caledonia Road is controlled by traffic control signals. St. Clair Avenue West is a six-lane roadway with a shared through and left-turn median lane (also the streetcar right-of-way), an exclusive through lane and a shared through and right-turn lane for each of the eastbound and westbound approaches. At present an eastbound flashing advanced green feature is provided at all times.

 Caledonia Road is a two-lane roadway at its intersection with St. Clair Avenue West. Left-turn lanes are provided for both the northbound and southbound approaches.

 A review of the Toronto Police Service collision records for the three-year period ending December 31, 1996 disclosed a total of 69 collisions reported at the intersection of St. Clair Avenue West and Caledonia Road. Of these, there were three collisions involving pedestrians. No discernable pedestrian collision pattern (direction, time of day, etc.) is evident. However, a pattern of incidents involving eastbound and westbound motorists is evident. Of the above-noted 69 collisions, 15 involved a motorist performing a left turn from the wrong traffic lane (a through lane) and 10 collisions involved eastbound or westbound left turns colliding with the opposing through movement.

 To resolve the issue of inappropriate turning movements from the eastbound and westbound through lanes, we recommend the designation of the median (streetcar track) lane on St. Clair Avenue West at Caledonia Road for left turns and streetcars only. Pavement markings for each approach lane would clarify the appropriate use of that lane. Signing mounted on the streetcar loading platforms would clearly communicate that the median lanes are designated for left turns only (streetcars excepted). The resultant lane designation would be as follows: an exclusive left-turn lane (streetcars excepted), a through lane, and a shared through and right-turn lane for both the eastbound and westbound approaches on St. Clair Avenue West. There is sufficient intersection capacity to accommodate these proposed eastbound and westbound left-turn lanes.

 Conclusions:

 The designation of eastbound and westbound left-turn lanes on St. Clair Avenue West at Caledonia Road would result in an overall improvement to the operational safety of this intersection.

 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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