April 20, 1998

 To:The Urban Environment and Development Committee

 From:Interim Functional Lead, Transportation

 Subject:Proposed Two-Way Left-Turn Lane Designation

Bayview Avenue between York Road / Wilket Road and 180 metres south of Post Road

 North York Centre South - Councillors Milton Berger, Joanne Flint

 Purpose:

 To propose the installation and designation of a two-way left-turn lane on Bayview Avenue between York Road / Wilket Road and a point 180 metres south of the southerly curb of Post Road.

 Funding Sources:

 The funds for this work are contained in the Transportation Department's 1998 Current Budget Estimates. The estimated cost of the installation of a two-way left-turn lane on this section of Bayview Avenue is $21,000.00.

 Recommendations:

 It is recommended that:

 (1)once the pavement markings on Bayview Avenue, between York Road / Wilket Road and a point 180 metres south of the southerly curb of Post Road, have been modified to provide for two northbound traffic lanes, two southbound traffic lanes, and a centre lane, the centre lane be designated for northbound and southbound left turns only; and,

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

 Background:

 This location was investigated at the request of Councillors Berger and Flint, and members of the local community, with respect to the difficulties experienced by motorists wishing to access Bayview Avenue between York Road / Wilket Road and Post Road, particularly during the peak periods.

Discussion:

 Bayview Avenue in this vicinity is a four-lane arterial roadway with left-turn lanes at selected intersections and a two-way traffic volume of approximately 50,000 vehicles per day. The posted speed limit is 60 km/h. The adjacent land-use is primarily single family homes with individual driveways fronting onto Bayview Avenue.

 This section of Bayview Avenue experiences significant congestion in the southbound direction during the morning peak period, and in the northbound direction during the afternoon peak period; however, the opposite directions of traffic flow freely during these periods. As a result, it is difficult for a motorist to comfortably choose an appropriate gap in both directions of flow in order to make a left turn onto Bayview Avenue. In addition, vehicles turning from Bayview Avenue into a driveway or local street must turn left from the median through lane.

 The installation of a centre two-way left-turn lane will assist outbound left-turn manoeuvres by allowing motorists to complete their turn in two stages. Also, inbound left-turning vehicles will be able to wait in the centre lane without blocking through traffic.

 It is possible to re-arrange the pavement markings on Bayview Avenue to provide for two northbound traffic lanes, two southbound traffic lanes, and a centre two-way left-turn lane by a marginal reduction in the width of the through lanes.

 In order to install the standard regulatory lane designation signs which will clearly show the correct use of the centre two-way left-turn lane, and provide for police enforcement if necessary, a by-law amendment is required.

 The estimated cost of the pavement marking alterations and sign installation is $21,000.00. The signs will be side mounted on poles situated in the boulevard.

 Conclusions:

 The designation of a two-way left-turn lane on Bayview Avenue, between York Road/Wilket Road and a point 180 metres south of the southerly curb of Post Road, would permit outbound left-turn movements onto Bayview Avenue to select gaps in one direction of Bayview Avenue traffic at a time, and it would reduce the conflicts between left-turning vehicles and through traffic in the median lanes.

 Contact Name:

 Bruce Zvaniga, Manager

North & West Traffic Regions

(416)392-8826

 D.P. Floyd

Interim Functional Lead, Transportation

 Reviewed by Barry Gutteridge

Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services

 RLP/dm;fc