August 16, 1998

To:Urban Environment and Development Committee

 From:General Manager, Transportation Services

 Subject:Funding of Pedestrian Improvements

Purpose:

This report responds to a request from Councillor Jones for a report on how pedestrian improvements in the City of Toronto are funded and whether or not a specific fund for pedestrian amenities would be desirable.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Annual revenue from the lease of City of Toronto road rights-of-way for pedestrian tunnels and bridges is approximately $100,000.00 per annum. Reallocation of this revenue from general transportation uses to specific pedestrian improvements can be accommodated within the existing budgets for transportation services.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that the revenue collected in the City of Toronto from the leasing of road rights-of-way for pedestrian tunnels and bridges be allocated to improve pedestrian facilities.

Council Reference/Background/History:

At the July 13, 1998 meeting of the Urban Environment and Development Committee the Committee approved the construction of a pedestrian tunnel connection between 70 University Avenue and the City of Toronto Parking Authority's University Avenue Underground Parking Garage. As a result of this approval, the issue was raised about the allocation of funds collected from the lease of road rights-of-way in the City of Toronto specifically to improve pedestrian facilities. Councilor Jones subsequently requested that staff report to the Committee on how pedestrian improvements are funded and whether or not a specific fund for these improvements would be desirable.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

The transportation network serving the City of Toronto includes facilities accommodating all modes, including pedestrians. Improvements to this network are generally funded through the City's Capital Works Program. Within this program, funds to improve pedestrian facilities are included in the general accounts for road and bridge rehabilitation and construction, sidewalk construction and specific pedestrian tunnels or bridges. These improvements are generally undertaken as part of a larger program and do not focus on localized problem areas. Localized pedestrian improvements have been funded through the Safety and Operational Improvements account. Examples of such improvements include mid-block pedestrian refuge islands and modifications to corner radii. Over the past several years approximately one-half of the $1,000,000.00 annually allocated to the Safety and Operational Improvement account has been spent on specific pedestrian problems.

 To increase the amount of funds available for pedestrian improvements, it has been suggested that the revenue collected from leasing the road rights-of-way for pedestrian tunnels and bridges be specifically allocated to this area. Throughout the City of Toronto approximately $100,000.00 annually is collected from these leases. Allocated this revenue to the Safety and Operational Improvement account would increase the funds available for pedestrian improvements by approximately 20 per cent.

 We propose to work with the newly formed City of Toronto Pedestrian Committee to identify and prioritize pedestrian improvements in the City.

 Conclusions:

 Funds from the leasing of road rights-of-way for pedestrian tunnels and bridges is approximately $100,000.00 per annum. These funds should be allocated to improve pedestrian facilities in the City.

 Contact Name:

 T.W. Mulligan

Assistant Director,

Planning, Design & Programming

392-8329

    David C. Kaufman

General Manager, Transportation Services

    Barry H. Gutteridge

Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services

 TWM/jc/wo