Installation of Speed Humps
- Close Avenue from Queen Street West to
Springhurst Avenue (High Park)
The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (July3,1998) from the
Director, Infrastructure and Transportation, City Works Services:
Purpose:
To reduce the speed of traffic on Close Avenue.
Funding Source, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
The estimated cost for this proposal is $13,500, funds for which are available in Works and Emergency Services 1998
Capital Fund Code No. 296702.
Recommendations:
(1)That approval be given to alter sections of the roadway on Close Avenue, from Queen Street West to Springhurst
Avenue for traffic calming purposes as described below, with implementation subject to the favourable results of
polling of the affected residents pursuant to the policy related to speed hump installation as adopted by the former City
of Toronto Council:
AThe construction of speed humps on CLOSE AVENUE from Queen Street West to Springhurst Avenue, generally as
shown on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5208, dated June, 1998";
(2)That the speed limit be reduced from forty kilometres per hour to thirty kilometres per hour on Close Avenue from
Queen Street West to Springhurst Avenue, coincident with the implementation of the traffic calming measures; and
(3)That the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take whatever action is necessary to implement the
foregoing, including the introduction in Council of any Bills that might be required.
Comments:
At the request of Ward Councillor and area residents, Works staff assessed the feasibility of implementing speed
humps on Close Avenue from Queen Street West to Springhurst Avenue in response to concerns about the volume and
excessive speed of traffic on this street.
Close Avenue from Queen Street West to a point 43 metres further south, operates two-way with a pavement width of
6.1 metres, and from a point 43 metres south of Queen Street West to Springhurst Avenue, operates one-way
southbound with a pavement width which varies between 6.1 to 7.3 metres. The posted speed limit is 40 kilometres per
hour.
Close Avenue is approximately 783 metres long and at its mid-point, intersects with King Street West. AStop@ sign
controls are posted for northbound traffic at Queen Street West and for southbound traffic at King Street West and at
Springhurst Avenue. Heavy trucks are prohibited at all times.
The following summarizes the data which was obtained from traffic counts undertaken by Works staff on Close
Avenue in October, 1997:
24 Hour Speed and Volume Survey
Close Avenue from Queen Street West to Springhurst Avenue
(Maximum Speed Limit - 40 Kilometres per Hour) |
Location |
Direction of
Travel |
Total
Number
of
Vehicles |
No. of
Vehicles
Travelling
40 Km/Hr
or Less |
No. of
Vehicles
Travelling
41 - 50
Km/Hr
|
No. of
Vehicles
Travelling
51 Km/Hr
or More |
Queen St.
W. to King
St. W. |
Southbound |
1,963
(100%) |
1,084
(55.2%) |
665
(33.9%) |
215
(10.9%) |
King St.
W. to
Springhurst
Avenue |
Southbound |
1,570
(100%) |
787
(50.1%) |
616
(39.2%) |
167
(10.7%) |
As can be seen from the table, the incidence of motorists= travelling in excess of the forty kilometres per hour speed
limit on Close Avenue between Queen Street West and King Street West is approximately 45%. The percentage of
vehicles recorded at a rate of speed in excess of fifty kilometres per hour is approximately 11% of all traffic. Similarly,
the incidence of speeding in excess of the forty kilometres per hour speed limit on Close Avenue between King Street
West and Springhurst Avenue is approximately 50%, with about 11% in excess of fifty kilometres per hour. This speed
profile is of concern given the proximity of the adjacent schools along Close Avenue.
The traffic calming proposal, as illustrated on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5208 dated June 1998, consists
of nine speed humps at spacings of 45 to 90 metres. A speed limit reduction to 30 km/h, as permitted by the City of
Toronto Act, 1996, would be appropriate. No impacts on parking are anticipated, no changes to parking regulations are
required, and the effects on snow removal, street cleaning and garbage collection should be minimal.
As stipulated in the Policy, once it has been determined that speed hump installation is technically warranted, a formal
City poll should be conducted of adults (18 years and older) of households directly abutting the affected section of
street, and also households on side streets whose only access is from the street under consideration for speed hump
installations. Under this policy, at least 60% of those responding should be in favour of the proposal to authorize
implementation. Accordingly, staff will conduct a poll of residents and report on the poll results at the deputation
meeting for the project.
The changes proposed to the Close Avenue roadway as set out above constitute an alteration to a public highway
pursuant to the provisions of the Municipal Act. The intent of Council to enact a by-law to authorize any physical
changes resulting in the alteration of the pavement configuration must be advertised and subsequently be subject to a
public hearing. In the interim, consultations with the emergency services agencies will be undertaken to ensure that the
detailed design does not unduly hamper their respective operations.
This project is pre-approved in accordance with Schedule A of the Class Environmental Assessment for Municipal
Roads Project.
Contact Name and Telephone Number:
Spiros Stamopoulos, Traffic Investigator, 392-7771
Insert Table/Map No. 1
Close/Queen/Springhurst