May 25, 1998
TO:Urban Development and Environment Committee
FROM:Interim Functional Lead, Transportation
SUBJECT:TTC STREETCAR PLATFORMS ON LAKE SHORE BOULEVARD WEST AT PARK LAWN ROAD;
CONSTRUCTION OF WATERFRONT DRIVE
WARD:Councillors Irene Jones and Blake Kinahan, Ward 2 - Lake Shore Queensway
Purpose:
The purpose of this report is to obtain Council authority to construct TTC streetcar platforms on Lake Shore Boulevard
West at Park Lawn Road and to advertise the necessary construction by-law for the streetcar platforms and for Waterfront
Drive.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
The cost for the construction of TTC streetcar platforms is estimated to be in the order of $185,000.00 and will be paid for
by the Toronto Transit Commission.
The total estimated cost for the construction of Waterfront Drive is $4,432,000.00 of which $1,535,000.00 is to be
financed through the Canada/Ontario Infrastructure Works Programme and the remaining $2,897,000.00 has been financed
by the former City of Etobicoke through Order No. 10010.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)approval be given to proceed with the construction of TTC streetcar platforms on the west leg of the Lake Shore
Boulevard West/Park Lawn Road intersection; and
(2)the introduction of any necessary Bills be authorized.
Background:
This report deals with two separate but related projects which both affect the intersection of Lake Shore Boulevard West at
Park Lawn Road/Waterfront Drive.
TTC Streetcar Platforms on Lake Shore Boulevard West
(i)In 1997, at the request of the Toronto Transit Commission staff, Transportation staff assessed the feasibility of
constructing streetcar platforms on Lake Shore Boulevard West between Louisa Street and the Humber Loop. By adoption
of Clause No.17 of Report No. 29 of the Planning and Transportation Committee, the former Metropolitan Toronto Council
approved the construction of TTC streetcar platforms on Lake Shore Boulevard West at Louisa Street, at Legion Road,
opposite Christie Brown & Company and opposite 2201 Lake Shore Boulevard West. The platforms were constructed in
1997.
Platforms at Park Lawn Road were not constructed at that time because design and property acquisition issues could not be
resolved in time for the 1997 construction season. The design issues have now been resolved and it is proposed to construct
a farside westbound platform and a nearside eastbound platform on Lake Shore Boulevard West at Park Lawn Road.
(ii)Waterfront Drive:
Waterfront Drive is a new road which will form the south leg of the Lake Shore Boulevard West/Park Lawn Road
intersection and bends to the east running parallel to Lake Ontario, towards Palace Pier Court. The road is required to
service the Humber Bay Shores Development (the motel strip). The former City of Etobicoke enacted By-Law number
1997-203 to authorize the construction of Waterfront Drive and the associated services. Construction has commenced on
the installation of services and road construction is currently scheduled to begin in July 1998.
Scope of Work:
The intersection of Lake Shore Boulevard West and Park Lawn Road is configured with three eastbound lanes, two
westbound lanes, and two southbound lanes one of which is a left turn lane and the other operates as a shared left, through
and right turn lane. Since the southbound lanes operate as double left-turn lanes during peak periods, pedestrian crossing is
currently prohibited on the east leg of the intersection.
As a result of the unique operations of this intersection, TTC and City staff have agreed to locate both streetcar platforms
on the west side of the Park Lawn Road intersection. The construction of the westbound farside platform will require
enlarging the north west corner radius in order to accommodate southbound right-turns by trucks. The platform will also be
constructed 12 metres longer than a typical platform in order to accommodate storage for two vehicles behind a stopped
streetcar, in the event they follow the streetcar through the intersection as the signals change. This will help to ensure the
intersection is not obstructed by vehicles trapped behind a streetcar when it stops to load and unload passengers.
In order to maintain an acceptable level traffic of service, a minor widening of the south side of Lake Shore Boulevard
West is required in order to maintain three lanes of traffic in the eastbound direction.
In addition to the provision of the streetcar platforms, the Works and Emergency Services Department will be constructing
Waterfront Drive as a four lane divided road which will form the south leg of the Park Lawn Road intersection.
To construct these improvements the following work will be undertaken:
(a)removal and reconstruction of the northwest corner curb, gutter and sidewalk at the Lake Shore Boulevard West and
Park Lawn Road intersection;
(b)construction of concrete curb and gutter;
(c)construction of concrete TTC streetcar platforms;
(d)construction of a concrete sidewalk;
(e)construction of asphalt pavement;
(f)alterations to existing traffic control devices;
Construction on Waterfront Drive is scheduled to commence in July 1998 and the TTC streetcar platforms are schedule to
be tendered in August with construction commencing in September, 1998.
Pedestrian and Cycling Issues:
A bicycle lane exists east and west of this location but cannot be provided at the intersection of Lake Shore Boulevard and
Park Lawn Road because of the constrained right-of-way. While we typically avoid large radii, the radius on the north west
corner of Park Lawn Road needs to be increased in order to allow longer vehicles to make a right turn without encroaching
into the proposed TTC platform.
Conclusions:
The construction of TTC streetcar platforms on Lake Shore Boulevard West at Park Lawn Road is being funded by the
TTC and will improve safety for transit passengers by providing a refuge area for them. The proposed streetcar platforms at
the Park Lawn Road location are the final component of a project initiated in 1997.
The Works and Emergency Services Department will be constructing Waterfront Drive and related services as approved
by the former Etobicoke Council at their meeting held on October 6, 1997. The reconfiguration of the south leg of the Lake
Shore Boulevard West/Park Lawn Road intersection will be include in this work.
Contact Name and Telephone Number:
K.P. Llewellyn-Thomas, Manager
Project Planning and Design
392-8590
D.P. Floyd
Interim Functional Lead, Transportation
Reviewed by Barry Gutteridge
Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services
RHB/jc
Attach.