Proposed Introduction of a U-Turn Prohibition:

Kipling Avenue in the Vicinity of the

Ramp from Westbound Dundas Street West

to Northbound Kipling Avenue.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (March 18, 1998) from the Interim Functional Lead, Transportation:

Purpose:

To prohibit northbound U-turns at Kipling Avenue, in the vicinity of the ramp from westbound Dundas Street West to northbound Kipling Avenue.

Funding Sources:

The funds for this work are contained in the Transportation Department's 1998 Current Budget Estimates.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)northbound U-turns be prohibited at all times on Kipling Avenue from the ramp from westbound Dundas Street West to northbound Kipling Avenue to a point 50 metres further north; and

(2)the appropriate by-law(s) be amended accordingly.

Background:

At the request of the Toronto Police Service, the Department investigated the feasibility of prohibiting northbound-to-southbound U-turns on Kipling Avenue near the ramp from westbound Dundas Street West to northbound Kipling Avenue for safety reasons.

Discussion:

Dundas Street West is elevated at this point and passes over Kipling Avenue. Westbound traffic on Dundas Street West destined for southbound Kipling Avenue is directed to follow a route via Beamish Drive and Bloor Street West to gain access to southbound Kipling Avenue. The Toronto Police Service has reported that occasionally westbound drivers on Dundas Street West destined for southbound Kipling Avenue use the ramp to northbound Kipling Avenue and complete a U-turn immediately after entering Kipling Avenue. Completing a northbound-to-southbound U-turn at this ramp is a potential collision hazard due to restricted sightlines associated with the vertical alignment of Kipling Avenue at the Dundas Street West underpass.

During a two-hour period of observation, a total of seven northbound-to-southbound U-turns were recorded on Kipling Avenue, at the ramp from westbound Dundas Street West to northbound Kipling Avenue.

A review of the Toronto Police Service collision statistics indicated that in the five-year period ending December 31, 1996, one reported collision has occurred involving a northbound U-turn on Kipling Avenue at the ramp from Dundas Street West westbound to northbound Kipling Avenue.

Conclusion:

The introduction of a northbound U-turn prohibition on Kipling Avenue, in the vicinity of the ramp from Dundas Street West westbound to northbound Kipling Avenue, will eliminate a potentially unsafe traffic movement, and will allow for Toronto Police Service intervention at this location.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Mr. Bruce Zvaniga, Manager, North and West Traffic Regions, 392-8826.

(A copy of the location plan, which was appended to the foregoing report, has been forwarded to all Members of Council with the agenda of the April 20, 1998 meeting of the Urban Environment and Development Committee, and a copy thereof is also on file in the office of the City Clerk.)