The Toronto Community Council recommends that:

(1) a flashing beacon be installed at the intersection of Church Street and The Esplanade; and

(2) the appropriate City officials be directed to take the steps necessary to implement Recommendation No. (1).

The Toronto Community Council submits the following communication (March 5, 1998) from the Director, Infrastructure Planning and Transportation Division, Works and Emergency Services, addressed to Councillor Rae:

I refer to your letter of February 20, 1998 forwarding a copy of a letter (February 11, 1998) from Mr. Gwyn Roberts, President, St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Seniors Non-Profit Housing Tenant's Association, concerning the above.

In August of 1997, at your request, staff of City Works Services investigated various traffic operational issues in the St. Lawrence Market Area, including the installation of traffic control signals at the intersection of Church Street and The Esplanade. This issue was addressed within Item 1 of my letter to you dated October 26, 1997, copy attached for your reference.

Although the technical warrants for the installation of traffic control signals at the Church/Esplanade intersection were not satisfied during this earlier review, measures were taken to enhance pedestrian safety at this intersection, including the installation of larger "Stop" signs and pavement parkings.

Notwithstanding, staff of the Toronto Transportation Department, Metro Hall Division will re-evaluate your request during this coming summer to see if conditions have changed significantly enough to justify the installation of traffic control signals at this intersection and will advise you accordingly.

(Communication dated October 27, 1997, addressed to Councillor Rae

from the Director, Infrastructure Planning and Transportation Division)

Re: Market Street, Church Street and The Esplanade (St. Lawrence Market Area) - Various Traffic Issues.

I refer to your letter of August 21, 1997, and subsequent E-mail transmittal of August 27, 1997 (sent to you), from Mr. Ron Hamilton of City Works Services, regarding the above. With respect to each issue, I note as follows:

1. The intersection of Church Street and The Esplanade - Operational Safety

Church Street and The Esplanade form a 4-way intersection with all-way "Stop" sign control. Church Street is an arterial road operating two-way on a pavement width ranging from 12.0 metres to 14.0 metres with a maximum speed limit of fifty kilometres per hour. The Esplanade is a collector road operating two-way on a pavement width ranging from 9.8 meters to 10.7 meters with T.T.C. bus service (route 121A, 121B) and a maximum speed limit of fifty kilometres per hour.

During an 8-hour traffic survey conducted by staff of the City Works Services, which encompassed both the morning and afternoon peak periods as well as the mid-day off peak periods, 4,966 vehicles were recorded travelling through the intersection and 1,011 pedestrians were recorded crossing at the intersection during the same time period. A review of Metropolitan Toronto Police Service's collision data records has revealed that 2 accidents have been reported at the intersection of Church Street and The Esplanade from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 1995 of which none involved pedestrians attempting to cross at the intersection. I am not aware of any accidents having been reported in 1996 or to date in 1997.

Given the recently completed construction of apartments/condominiums (approximately 500 units) for the elderly on the southwest corner of Church Street and The Esplanade, the proximity of this intersection to a major entertainment area, presence of numerous restaurants in the neighbourhood and the Municipal parking garages located on Church Street south of The Esplanade, pedestrian volume and vehicular traffic volume at this intersection are likely to increase noticeably in the near future. Therefore, I requested Commissioner D.P. Floyd, of the Metro Transportation Department to evaluate the installation of traffic control signals at this intersection. Accordingly, as you may be aware, I was advised by staff of the Metro Transportation Department that the subject intersection does not satisfy the technical warrants for the installation of traffic control signals.

Our review of the intersection revealed that "Stop bar" pavement markings and crossing guidelines had faded which has reduced motorists' awareness of the all-way "Stop" control and creates some confusion where motorists should stop, creating a potential hazard for pedestrians.

Therefore, on August 29, 1997, the Operations Branch of the City Works Services re-painted the "Stop bars" and crossing guide lines to enhance pedestrian safety and motorists' awareness of the all-way "Stop" and on August 27, 1997 installed larger "Stop" signs (75x75) and warning signs indicating "Watch for Elderly Pedestrians" in all directions in advance of the intersection. Additionally, the intersection of Church Street and The Esplanade will be included in the 1998 Capitol Re-construction Program during which time concrete pavers will be installed to further delineate crossing locations.

A "flashing overhead beacon" could be installed to further enhance motorists awareness of the all-way "Stop" control. However, the cost of installing this device would be approximately $10,000.00 as there is no above ground power source or support poles. Given the cost of installing a "flashing overhead beacon", I am of the opinion that further consideration of this measure should be deferred.

2. The Esplanade, south side, between Church Street and Market Street fronting Premises Nos. 85-115 - Various traffic issues

At the request of the building managers from the new developments at Premises Nos. 85-115 The Esplanade, staff of City Works Services have investigated the feasibility of:

(i) establishing a "Loading Zone" fronting the moving doors to Premises No. 85;

(ii) establishing a Wheeltrans pick-up/drop-off area fronting the doors to Premises No. 115;

(iii) installing parking meters elsewhere on the south side; and

(iv) relocating the first decorative lamp standard east of Church Street (located adjacent to the moving doors to Premises No. 85) to enhance loading/unloading operations to/from the building.

The Esplanade, between Church Street and Market Street operates two-way on a pavement width of about 11.0 metres. Parking is regulated on both sides of this portion of The Esplanade as follows:

North side

- parking is permitted for a maximum period of one hour from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and for a maximum period of three hours from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday and from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sunday (controlled by parking meters).

South side

- parking is prohibited at anytime from Monday to Friday; and

- parking is otherwise permitted for a maximum period of three hours at other times.

A T.T.C. bus operates on this portion of The Esplanade with a bus stop and signed transit loading zone located on the north side at Church Street and at a point 25.0 metres west of Market Street.

(i) Establishing a "Loading Zone" fronting the moving doors to Premises No. 85.

Having regard for Item (i), as you know under the authority of the Highway Traffic Act, a vehicle while actually engaged in loading/unloading merchandise or passengers may legally do so in a "No Parking" area.

In consideration of the existing parking regulations on the south side of The Esplanade in the vicinity of Premises No. 85 (where the loading zone is requested), loading and unloading activities are legally feasible when parking is prohibited at anytime Monday to Friday. Therefore, installation of a loading zone at this location would not provide any additional advantage during this time.

However, as parking is allowed for a maximum period of three hours on Saturdays and Sundays and the entire block is usually parked solid on these days, it makes loading/unloading operations extremely difficult in front of Premises No. 85. This problem would occur on a daily basis if parking meters are installed on the south side of The Esplanade, as described below, resulting in vehicles "double-parking" to facilitate deliveries, thereby adversely affecting traffic operation and safety. Therefore, to minimize this situation, parking should be prohibited at anytime on the south side of The Esplanade (fronting the moving doors to Premises No. 85) from Church Street to a point 30.5 metres further east.

This would result in the loss of two parking spaces (currently on weekends). However, this should not adversely impact on parking or operational safety on The Esplanade.

(ii) Establishing a Wheeltrans pick-up/drop-off area fronting the doors to Premises No. 115.

In regards to Item (ii), at the request of the building managers of Premises No. 115 The Esplanade, staff of City Works Services have investigated the feasibility of establishing a Wheeltrans pick-up/drop-off area to enhance the loading/unloading operations and to encourage keeping the area fronting Premises No. 115 clear of parked vehicles.

Based on our assessment, an on-street disabled loading zone could be established on the south side of The Esplanade, from a point 116.0 metres east of Church Street to a point 12.7 metres further east.

This would result in the loss of two parking spaces on the south side of The Esplanade. However, in my view, the benefit to wheeltrans users at the Housing Co-op, specifically Premises No. 115, out weigh the minor inconvenience that the loss of these parking spaces will create for residents and nearby businesses in the area.

(iii) Installing parking meters elsewhere on the south side.

With respect to Item (iii), several recent site investigations by City Works staff revealed that delivery vehicles and vehicles displaying a valid disabled persons parking permit frequently park on the south side of The Esplanade, between Church Street and Market Street, from Monday to Friday and on weekends by shoppers, residents, visitors and restaurant/bar patrons.

This situation generally does not adversely impact on traffic operation as moving traffic appeared to have no difficulty traversing the street on the 11.0 metre pavement width.

Therefore, consideration should be given to allowing parking at anytime (with the exception of within 30.5 metres of Church Street and within the wheeltrans pick-up/drop-off area described above) on the south side of The Esplanade, between Church Street and Market Street. An estimated 16 parking meters could be installed and would operate for a maximum period of one hour from 8:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m., and for a maximum period of 3 hours from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday. This would ensure equitable use of the parking spaces by both area residents and visitors.

(iv) Relocating the first decorative lamp standard east of Church Street (located adjacent to the moving doors to Premises No. 85) to enhance loading/unloading operations to/from the building.

The black decorative lamp standard in question is the first one east of Church Street on the south side of The Esplanade. Management of Premises No. 85 The Esplanade requests that the pole be relocated to a point further east where it will not interfere with the moving/loading doors located directly adjacent to the light standard. As relocation of the light pole is the purview of the Operations and Sanitation Division of City Works Services, I am requesting Mr. Wayne Jackson, General Manager, Operations Section to investigate this issue and advise you direct if this is feasible, including cost and alternate location if practicable, and provide me with a copy of his reply for my file.

Items (i), (ii) and (iii) require amendments to Chapter 400 of the Municipal Code and cannot be accomplished during the current term of Council. However, I will be pleased to receive your thoughts on these matters and if you concur, staff will report to the City Cervices Committee or its successor early in 1998.

3. The intersection of The Esplanade and Market Street - Operational Safety

The Esplanade and Market Street form a 4-way intersection with Market Street operating one-way southbound, north of The Esplanade and two-way south of. The Esplanade currently is a through street and operates two-way with T.T.C. bus service and a maximum speed limit of fifty kilometres per hour.

(i) Installation of "Watch for Elderly Pedestrians" advisory signs.

As a precautionary measure to advise motorists, the Operations Branch of City Works Services installed larger "Stop" signs (75x75) on Market Street for northbound and southbound traffic and signs indicating "Watch for Elderly Pedestrians" in all directions in advance of the intersection, on August 26, 1997.

(ii) Installation of all-way "Stop" control, delineation of pavement markings and concrete pavers to indicate pedestrian crossing.

A review of the collision records at this intersection from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 1995 has revealed that 4 collisions have occurred of which none involved pedestrians. I am not aware of any other collisions having been reported at this intersection from January 1, 1996 to date.

Having evaluated this request against the technical criteria governing the installation of "Stop" signs which encompasses such factors as right-of-way conflicts, vehicular and pedestrian usage of the intersection, physical and geometric configuration, surrounding area traffic control and safety experience, I am of the opinion that this intersection does not satisfy the operational elements for the installation of all-way "Stop" sign control.

Additionally, I note the following:

- The intersection of market Street and The Esplanade is located only 58.0 metres west of the traffic control signals at Jarvis Street and The Esplanade. This is too close to ensure operational safety and compliance with the "Stop" signs, particularly by eastbound motorists who might be preoccupied with the traffic control signals they are approaching; and

- Given the current volume of traffic on The Esplanade (about 6,000 vehicles daily) and the proximity of Market Street to the traffic control signals a Jarvis Street, the queuing of vehicles can be expected in the block between Market Street and Jarvis Street. At times queued vehicles might encroach into each intersection which would present a safety hazard.

Accordingly, the installation of all-way "Stop" sign control at this intersection is not warranted or advisable.

As pavement markings and crossing lines at this intersection should only be installed if all-way "Stop" control is established, given the foregoing, this work will not be undertaken.

4. Market Street, east side, between Wilton Street and the south end and Wilton Street, south side, between Market Street and Jarvis Street - Prohibition of stopping at anytime.

Recent site inspections by staff of the City Works Services have revealed that illegally parked vehicles, particularly idling tour buses, park for extended periods of time on the east side of Market Street, between Wilton Street and the south end and on the south side of Wilton Street, between Market Street and Jarvis Street. These vehicles obstruct motorists' sightlines across the southeast corner at Wilton Street and Market Street and severely hinder two-way vehicular passage on Market Street.

To deter such activity and improve sightlines, stopping should be prohibited at anytime on the east side of Market Street, between Wilton Street and the south end and on the south side of Wilton Street, between Market Street and Jarvis Street.

Although enhanced parking enforcement might improve the illegal parking problem, Police resources are limited and enforcement may only be sporadic. Therefore. a stopping prohibition on the other hand could serve as a greater deterrent to illegal parking.

I will be pleased to receive your thoughts on this matter before taking any further action.