April 17, 1998
To:The Urban Environment and Development Committee
From:Interim Functional Lead, Transportation
Subject:Proposed Two-way Left-Turn Lane Designation
Scarlett Road between Lawrence Avenue West and Yorkleigh Avenue/Vista Humber Drive
Kingsway- Humber; Councillors Mario Giansante, Gloria Lindsay-Luby
Purpose:
To provide a centre lane on Scarlett Road for northbound and southbound left turns only between Lawrence Avenue West
and Yorkleigh Avenue/Vista Humber Drive.
Funding Sources:
The funds associated with the installation of the appropriate signage and pavement markings are contained in the
Department's 1998 Current Budget Estimates. The estimated cost to install the signs and adjust the pavement markings is
$7,000.00
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)the centre lane be provided on Scarlett Road between Lawrence Avenue West and Yorkleigh Avenue/Vista Humber
Drive and this lane be designated for northbound and southbound left turns only; and,
(2)the appropriate by-law(s) be amended accordingly.
Background:
At the request of the resident of No. 753 Scarlett Road, our Department investigated the feasibility of providing a
southbound left-turn lane into this driveway.
Discussion:
Scarlett Road is a five-lane arterial roadway between Lawrence Avenue West and Yorkleigh Avenue/Vista Humber Drive.
The adjacent land use consists of single family residential homes fronting onto Scarlett Road. There is an existing
northbound left-turn lane on Scarlett Road at Lawrence Avenue West, which is 85 metres long. At the intersection of
Lawrence Avenue West and Scarlett Road, the northbound left-turning volumes are 21 vehicles and 41 vehicles during the
heaviest morning peak hour and afternoon peak hour, respectively.
The driveway to No. 753 Scarlett Road is located on the east side approximately 30 metres south of Lawrence Avenue
West. The occupants of No. 753 Scarlett Road turn left into their driveway from the median southbound lane of Scarlett
Road. Our observations confirmed that this causes potential conflict with through traffic in the southbound median lane and
that on occasion southbound through traffic queues into the intersection of Scarlett Road and Lawrence Avenue West. We
also noted that there are several other homes, on Scarlett Road between Lawrence Avenue West and Yorkleigh
Avenue/Vista Humber Drive, where similar turning conflicts occur.
A review of the Toronto Police Service collision records indicate that in a five-year period ending December 31, 1996,
there have been no reported collisions involving left-turning vehicles entering or exiting driveways on this section of
Scarlett Road.
The proposed two-way centre left-turn lane can be installed by adjusting the pavement markings on Scarlett Road, and
standard regulatory signs would be installed to show the correct use of the two-way centre left-turn lane, all at an estimated
cost of $7,000.00.
Conclusion:
The provision of a two-way centre left-turn lane on Scarlett Road, between Lawrence Avenue West and Yorkleigh
Avenue/Vista Humber Drive, will accommodate northbound and southbound left-turning vehicles entering driveways on
both sides of Scarlett Road. It would remove all southbound left-turning vehicles from the median southbound through
traffic lane, thereby reducing the vehicle conflicts at this location and the queuing of southbound through traffic into the
signalized intersection of Scarlett Road and Lawrence Avenue West.
Contact Name and Telephone Number:
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
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