Traffic Regulations -
Robertson Crescent, south of Queens Quay West
(Downtown)
The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report
(March 18, 1998) from the Director, Infrastructure Planning and Transportation, City
Works Services:
Purpose:
The purpose of this proposal is to regulate traffic operation and parking on a recently acquired
street in Harbourfront.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
(1) That parking be prohibited at anytime on both sides of Robertson Crescent;
(2) That the speed limit be restricted to forty kilometres per hour on Robertson Crescent; and
(3) That the appropriate City Officials be requested to take whatever action is necessary to
give effect to the foregoing, including the introduction in Council of any Bills that are
required.
Background:
The previous City of Toronto Council at its meeting of April 14, 1997, adopted as amended,
Clause 26 in Executive Committee Report No. 13, wherein the roadway known as Ring Road in
Harbourfront, was dedicated as a public highway. Subsequently, City Council at its meeting of
August 21, 1997, in considering Clause 12 in City Services Committee Report No. 10 entitled,
Naming of Street in Harbourfront - Robertson Crescent (Ward 5) adopted the Clause without
amendment, and in so doing, renamed Ring Road as Robertson Crescent and further, authorized
the Commissioner of City Works Services to implement traffic control regulations for
Robertson Crescent and to take whatever action is necessary to ensure the safe and efficient
operation of the street.
Comments:
Robertson Crescent runs south from Queens Quay West and has a "U" shape operating two-way
on variable pavement widths. The westerly branch of Robertson Crescent, at Queens Quay
West/Rees Street, is a four-way signalized intersection while the easterly branch of Robertson
Crescent forms a T-type intersection at Queens Quay West (approximately 75.0 metres east of
the westerly branch). As Robertson Crescent is a new street, no traffic data is currently available
with respect to traffic speed, traffic volume or accidents.
Robertson Crescent provides access to the Toronto Police Marine Unit Headquarters, access to
underground parking garages for residential/hotel properties, permits loading/unloading activities
in front of various businesses and provides access for garbage collection services at abutting
properties.
In consideration of the foregoing and in consultation with representatives of the Harbourfront
Corporation who have been maintaining the street prior to it being assumed by the City, I have
concluded that to maintain operational safety and allow vehicles to legally stop while actually
engaged in making deliveries, parking should be prohibited at anytime on Robertson Crescent in
its entirety. In conjunction therewith, the regulatory signage should be enhanced (where
appropriate) by affixing "loading only" tabs to the prohibited parking signs to further discourage
illegal parking.
Given the alignment of the roadway and generally high concentration of pedestrians in the
Harbourfront area, the speed limit on Robertson Crescent should be established at forty (40)
kilometres per hour. Additionally, as Queens Quay West is designated as a through highway, a
"Stop" sign should be posted for northbound traffic on Robertson Crescent (easterly branch) at
Queens Quay West. No by-law amendment is required to authorize the installation of this sign.
I note that at the request of Councillor Kyle Rae, City Works Services is currently reviewing
other parking concerns on this street involving tour buses and taxicabs. We will report direct to
Councillors Chow and Rae on these issues upon completion of our investigation and if necessary,
to the Toronto Community Council on any further modifications to the parking regulations on
Robertson Crescent that might become necessary.
Contact Name and Telephone Number:
Curt Russell, 392-7771