Proposed Two-Way Left-Turn Lane Designation:
Bayview Avenue Between York Road/Wilket Road
and 180 Metres South of Post Road.
The Urban Environment and Development Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (April 20,
1998) from the Interim Functional Lead, Transportation:
Purpose:
To propose the installation and designation of a two-way left-turn lane on Bayview Avenue between York Road/Wilket
Road and a point 180 metres south of the southerly curb of Post Road.
Funding Sources:
The funds for this work are contained in the Transportation Department's 1998 Current Budget Estimates. The estimated
cost of the installation of a two-way left-turn lane on this section of Bayview Avenue is $21,000.00.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)once the pavement markings on Bayview Avenue, between York Road / Wilket Road and a point 180 metres south of
the southerly curb of Post Road, have been modified to provide for two northbound traffic lanes, two southbound traffic
lanes, and a centre lane, the centre lane be designated for northbound and southbound left turns only; and,
(2)the appropriate by-law(s) be amended accordingly.
Background:
This location was investigated at the request of Councillors Berger and Flint, and members of the local community, with
respect to the difficulties experienced by motorists wishing to access Bayview Avenue between York Road / Wilket Road
and Post Road, particularly during the peak periods.
Discussion:
Bayview Avenue in this vicinity is a four-lane arterial roadway with left-turn lanes at selected intersections and a two-way
traffic volume of approximately 50,000 vehicles per day. The posted speed limit is 60 kilometres per hour. The adjacent
land-use is primarily single family homes with individual driveways fronting onto Bayview Avenue.
This section of Bayview Avenue experiences significant congestion in the southbound direction during the morning peak
period, and in the northbound direction during the afternoon peak period; however, the opposite directions of traffic flow
freely during these periods. As a result, it is difficult for a motorist to comfortably choose an appropriate gap in both
directions of flow in order to make a left turn onto Bayview Avenue. In addition, vehicles turning from Bayview Avenue
into a driveway or local street must turn left from the median through lane.
The installation of a centre two-way left-turn lane will assist outbound left-turn manoeuvres by allowing motorists to
complete their turn in two stages. Also, inbound left-turning vehicles will be able to wait in the centre lane without
blocking through traffic.
It is possible to re-arrange the pavement markings on Bayview Avenue to provide for two northbound traffic lanes, two
southbound traffic lanes, and a centre two-way left-turn lane by a marginal reduction in the width of the through lanes.
In order to install the standard regulatory lane designation signs which will clearly show the correct use of the centre
two-way left-turn lane, and provide for police enforcement if necessary, a by-law amendment is required.
The estimated cost of the pavement marking alterations and sign installation is $21,000.00. The signs will be side mounted
on poles situated in the boulevard.
Conclusions:
The designation of a two-way left-turn lane on Bayview Avenue, between York Road/Wilket Road and a point 180 metres
south of the southerly curb of Post Road, would permit outbound left-turn movements onto Bayview Avenue to select gaps
in one direction of Bayview Avenue traffic at a time, and it would reduce the conflicts between left-turning vehicles and
through traffic in the median lanes.
Contact Name:
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 May 19, 1998, meeting of the Urban Environment and Development Committee, and a copy thereof
is also on file in the office of the City Clerk.)