June 6, 1998

To:Urban Environment and Development Committee

From:City Clerk

Subject:Proposal for a Joint City of Toronto/City of Mississauga Project

for a Bicycle/Pedestrian Path from the Waterfront to Eglinton Avenue West.

Recommendations:

The Metropolitan Cycling and Pedestrian Committee, the Toronto City Cycling Committee and the North York Cycling and Pedestrian Committee at a joint meeting on May 25, 1998, recommended to the Urban Environment and Development Committee that, in cooperation with the City of Mississauga, the City of Toronto plan and develop a continuous bicycle/pedestrian path from the waterfront to Eglinton Avenue West; and further, that:

(1)the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism be requested to:

(a)participate in a 1999 study with the City of Mississauga, including study funding (share of funding to be determined), subject to available funding (study would address feasibility of proposal and would be a Master Plan/Pre-Design Level, and include alternatives, project costing and recommended phasing);

(b)indicate a program for improvements to the existing bicycle paths in the Etobicoke Creek to be considered and budgeted for implementation in 1999, including:

-trail widening (e.g., where less than 3 metres wide);

-trail relocation (e.g., where conflicts exist with other park uses); and

-trail signage (e.g., in parks and on roads leading to parks showing direction, distance, destinations, etc.);

(c)budget for and complete (preferably in 1999) a bicycle/pedestrian trail extension connecting through Centennial Park from the existing trail system to meet Elmcrest Park either at the termination of the existing Elmcrest Park, or at an extended Elmcrest Park at Rathburn Road, or at Canerouth Drive or Ivybridge Drive;

(d)investigate the feasibility of developing a bicycle/pedestrian trail linking existing parks and crossing under Dundas Street and under the Queen Elizabeth Way; and

(e)complete the trail system along the Etobicoke Creek, in conjunction with the City of Mississauga, so that it extends uninterrupted from the waterfront to Eglinton Avenue West, with the timing to be determined by the two Cities (the preference is to complete this work as a Millennium Project, or as a high priority as soon as possible thereafter, but shall not be longer than four years); and

(2)the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services be requested to determine the feasibility of on-road or on-boulevard bicycle lanes to connect:

(i)the parks, including a signage program (streets include Bissett Street, Evans Road, The West Mall, the West Mall Crescent, Neilson Drive, Canerouth Drive/Ivybridge Drive); and

(ii)the West Dean/Echo Valley Park System to the Bloordale Park North System along Burnhamthorpe Road, or a parallel road system, including a signage program.

Background:

The Metropolitan Cycling and Pedestrian Committee, the Toronto City Cycling Committee and the North York Cycling and Pedestrian Committee had before them a communication dated May 8, 1998, from Mr. Jack Becker, Co-Chair, Network/Bicycle Planning Sub-Committee, forwarding the report of the Technical and Field Work Committee (MCAC) dated November 18, 1997, respecting the Etobicoke Creek as a potential route in the City of Mississauga's long-term master plan of pedestrian and cycling routes and the City of Toronto's participation in such project.

Mr. John Sabiston, Chair, Mississauga Cycling Advisory Committee, appeared before the Committees in connection with the foregoing matter.

City Clerk

M.E. Casini/co

Attachment

Sent to:Urban Environment and Development Committee

Mr. John Sabiston, Chair, Mississauga Cycling Advisory Committee

c.Mr. Jack Becker, Co-Chair, Network/Bicycle Planning Sub-Committee

Mr. Daniel Egan, Toronto Planning

Mr. Brian Rutherford, Toronto Parks & Recreation