Traffic Area Management Plan for the Teddington Park/
Wanless Park Area (North Toronto)
(City Council on July 8, 9 and 10, 1998, deferred consideration of this Clause to the next
regular meeting of City Council to be held on July 29, 1998.)
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(Clause No. 1 of Report No. 7 of the Toronto Community Council)
(City Council, on May 13 and 14, 1998, deferred consideration of this Clause to the
meeting of City Council to be held on July 8, 1998, and the Ward Councillors were
requested to hold a public meeting in this regard, if necessary.)
The Toronto Community Council recommends that:
(1)on a six month trial basis, westbound to northbound right turn prohibitions from
Lawrence Avenue East to Wanless Crescent, Ronan Avenue and Ardrossan Place
between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturdays,
Sundays and Public Holidays excepted, be implemented;
(2)the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services, in consultation with the
Wanless Park Ratepayers Association review the impact of the above controls after
their installation, within six months or sooner, as the need may be, and report back to
the Toronto Community Council;
(3)a "Yield" sign be approved to control southbound to westbound traffic on the
northwest side of the traffic channelization island at the intersection of Wanless
Avenue and Kappele Avenue;
(4)the appropriate City Officials be authorized to take whatever action is necessary to
give effect thereto, including the introduction in Council of any Bills that may be
necessary.
The Toronto Community Council submits the following communication (April 21,
1998) from Councillor Johnston:
I am writing to request that the above-noted Report be placed on the May 6, 1998 Toronto
Community Council agenda in order to facilitate its transmittal to the City of Toronto
Council to be endorsed and end this five-year saga.
The Toronto Community Council also submits the following Clause 22, contained in
Report No. 16 of the City Services Committee, of the former City of Toronto, titled
"Traffic Area Management Plan - Teddington Park/Wanless Park Area (Ward 16),
which was adopted at its meeting of December 18 and 19, 1995.
The Committee recommends the adoption of the report (November 14, 1995) from the
Acting Commissioner of Public Works and the Environment:
Origin: City Council meeting of January 11, 1993 (p:\1995\ug\env\cs952379.env) - acb
Recommendation:
(1)That the Metropolitan Corporation again be requested to implement on a six month trial
basis, westbound to northbound right turn prohibitions from Lawrence Avenue East to
Wanless Crescent, Ronan Avenue and Ardrossan Place between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and
9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays excepted;
(2)That the Acting Commissioner of Public Works and the Environment, in consultation
with the Wanless Park Ratepayers Association and representatives of the Metropolitan
Transportation Department and the City of North York Transportation Department, review
the impact of the above controls after their installation, within six months or sooner, as the
need may be, and report back to the City Services Committee;
(3)That a "Yield" sign be approved to control southbound to westbound traffic on the
northwest side of the traffic channelization island at the intersection of Wanless Avenue and
Kappele Avenue;
(4)That the appropriate City Officials be authorized to take whatever action is necessary to
give effect thereto, including the introduction in Council of any Bills that may be necessary
to amend the appropriate Schedule of By-Law No. 522-78; and
(5)That the Councils of the Metropolitan Corporation and the City of North York be
advised of the above.
Background: City Council, at its meeting of January 11, 1993, adopted, as amended, Clause
37 in City Services Committee Report No. 1, contained in Executive Committee Report No.
1 and in doing so, endorsed the recommendations contained in my September 24, 1992
report to the City Services Committee viz:
1.That the Metropolitan Corporation be requested to implement westbound to northbound
right turn prohibitions from Lawrence Avenue East to Wanless Crescent, Ronan Avenue and
Ardrossan Place between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.,
Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays excepted;
2.That turn prohibitions be installed at the Haslemere Road/Braeside Road (westbound left
turns to be prohibited) and Wanless Crescent/Wanless Avenue intersections (westbound
right turns to be prohibited) between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to
6:00 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays excepted;
3.That a traffic channelization island be constructed at the intersection of Wanless Avenue
and Kappele Avenue and upon the completion of the construction, that an all-way "Stop"
sign control be installed;
4.That all-way "Stop" sign controls also be installed at the intersections of Ronan
Avenue/Ranleigh Avenue and Ronan Avenue/Bowood Avenue; and
5.That I, in consultation with the Traffic Committee of the Wanless Park Ratepayers
Association, review the impact of the above controls six months after installation and report
back to the City Services Committee.
Comments: I advise that the traffic controls listed in Item Nos. 2, 3, and 4, above were
implemented shortly after City Council's approval, with all the work, including the
construction of the traffic channelization island being completed in August, 1993. However,
to date, the Metropolitan Corporation has not implemented the turn prohibitions referred to
in Item No. 1 above.
In my September 24, 1992 report contained in the above Clause, I directly quoted
communications from both the Metropolitan Commissioner of Transportation (who noted
support for the proposed turn restrictions) and the North York Commissioner of
Transportation (who noted no objection to the proposed turn prohibitions). However,
subsequent to the City Services Committee's and City Council's approval of the Teddington
Park/Wanless Park Area Traffic Management Plan, residents from the adjacent streets in the
City of North York (especially those on Mildenhall Road which runs north from Lawrence
Avenue East and is located one block to the east of Wanless Avenue), as well as
representatives of the Toronto French School, also located on Mildenhall Road, north of
Lawrence Avenue East, raised objections to the proposed traffic management plan and
petitioned the Metropolitan Toronto Council to defer implementation of the requested turn
restrictions from Lawrence Avenue East to the above noted City of Toronto streets, subject
to resolving traffic related matters on Mildenhall Road, north of Lawrence Avenue East.
In order to address the concerns of the North York residents, a meeting was convened on
April 28, 1993 between representatives of my Department, Metro Transportation and the
executive assistants of the affected City of Toronto, City of North York and Metropolitan
councillors. At that meeting, Metro staff had indicated that they would review the concerns
expressed by North York residents and would report on the area traffic management plan to
the Metro Transportation Committee.
Since that time, no resolution of the traffic related concerns of the Toronto French School
and the North York residents has been achieved. I have requested the Metropolitan
Transportation Department, both by telephone and by letters dated April 29, 1994,
November 16, 1994 and July 19, 1995 to advise me of the status of their investigations and
to provide me with a time frame for the installation of the requested turn prohibitions on
Lawrence Avenue East. To date, I have been advised by officials of the Metropolitan
Transportation Department, that the turn prohibitions requested by the City of Toronto
should not be considered in isolation from the neighbouring streets in the City of North
York and therefore, until the issues concerning access to Mildenhall Road and to the
Toronto French School are resolved, the Metropolitan Transportation Department would not
be formulating a definitive position on the City of Toronto's Teddington Park/Wanless Park
Area Traffic Management proposals.
In view of the above, I would recommend that the City Services Committee and Council
reiterate its request to the Metropolitan Corporation to implement the requested turn
prohibitions on a six month trial basis as noted in Recommendation No. 1 above.
I note for the City Services Committee's information that at the time the traffic
channelization island at the intersection of Wanless Avenue and Kappele Avenue was
constructed, a "Yield" sign was posted to control southbound to westbound traffic
movements from Kappele Avenue to Wanless Avenue (the southbound to eastbound
movements are controlled by an all-way "Stop" sign control). However, my records indicate
that the required by-law listing in Schedule XIXa of Traffic By-law No. 522-78 was
inadvertently omitted. Accordingly, as a house keeping measure, I recommend that the
appropriate by-law amendment be enacted to legalize the placement of this "Yield" sign.
The Committee also had before the following communications which are included in the
additional material and are on file in the Department of the City Clerk:
-(November 26, 1995) from Bob Hall
-(November 27, 1995) from Mario Buszynski, Chair, Wanless Park Ratepayers' Association
Traffic Committee
The Toronto Community Council also submits Clause 37 of Report No. 1 of the City
Services Committee, entitled "Traffic Management Plan for the Teddington
Park/Wanless Park Area (Ward 16)", which was adopted, without amendment, at its
meeting held on January 11, 1993.
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The Committee recommends that:
1.Recommendation No. 4 of the report (September 24, 1992) from the Commissioner
of Public Works and the Environment be amended to read as follows:
"4.That all-way `Stop' signs be approved for the intersections of Wanless
Avenue/Kappele Avenue, Ronan Avenue/Ranleigh Avenue and Ronan Avenue/Bowood
Avenue."
2.Recommendation No. 6 of the same report be amended to read as follows:
"6.That I, in consultation with the Traffic Committee of the Wanless Park Ratepayers
Association, review the impact of the above controls six months after installation and
report back to your Committee."
3.The report (September 24, 1992) from the Commissioner of Public Works and the
Environment be adopted as amended by the above.
The Committee requested the Commissioner of Public Works and the Environment to invite
North York Councillor Flint, or her representative, to participate in the review of the above
traffic controls.
The following addressed the Committee:
-Councillor Walker
-Mario Buszynski, Wanless Park Ratepayers' Association
-George Milbrandt
-James Doak
-Councillor Joanne Flint, City of North York
The Committee submits the report (September 24, 1992) from the Commissioner of Public
Works and the Environment:
Origin: City Services Committee meeting of February 5, 1992 (c39csc92690:117)
Executive Summary:
The implementation of the proposed traffic management plan in its entirety, as
recommended by the Wanless Park Ratepayers Association will result in the following:
-Approximately 1,300 transient vehicles will be removed from the residential streets within
the Teddington Park/Wanless Park Area during each of the rush periods, which is in the
range of 1 to 9 vehicles per minute per street.
-Many area residents will have to travel circuitous routes to access their homes. Certain
routes, as identified in this report, have been left open to maintain reasonable access for
residents. This will result in some transient traffic still infiltrating the area.
-Certain residential streets located in the City of North York to the north and west of the
subject area, are accessible in whole or in part via the City of Toronto. The residents of these
streets would be impacted similarly to those residing in the City of Toronto.
-Both City of North York Councillor Joanne Flint and City of North York Commissioner
of Transportation Vince Murphy have expressed concerns respecting the proposed traffic
management plan.
-Traffic will shift to streets outside the subject area, both west of Yonge Street and south of
Lawrence Avenue East, in order to bypass the proposed controls.
-Yonge Street, Lawrence Avenue, Avenue Road and to a lesser extent, Bayview Avenue, as
well as Jedburgh Road/Duplex Avenue, will be subjected to increased traffic volumes and
congestion contributing to increased delays to Toronto Transit Commission buses, as well as
increased levels of carbon dioxide and other noxious emissions.
-The major signalized intersections of Yonge Street/Lawrence Avenue, Yonge
Street/Ranleigh Avenue and Yonge Street/Fairlawn Avenue will experience increased
congestion.
-The proposed right turn prohibitions at the intersections of Lawrence Avenue East with
Ardrossan Place, Ronan Avenue and Wanless Crescent, as well as the proposed internal
controls at the Haslemere Road/Braeside Road and Wanless Crescent/Wanless Avenue
intersections, during both rush periods, will minimize traffic infiltration into the area.
-The additional all-way "Stop" sign controls in the area are not necessary from the
operations point of view, will have a negative environmental impact and should be
postponed until the effect of the recommended turn prohibitions have been assessed. The
high volume of pedestrians however, crossing the intersection of Wanless Avenue/Kappele
Avenue warrants the installation of an all-way "Stop" sign control including the
reconfiguration of the intersection as per Figure 8.
Recommendations:
(1)That in consideration of the negative impact the proposed Teddington Park/Wanless Park
Area traffic management plan will have on the arterial streets of Yonge Street, Lawrence
Avenue, Avenue Road, Bayview Avenue and Jedburgh Road/Duplex Avenue, on the area
west of Yonge Street and south of Lawrence Avenue West and on the quality of public
transit operations in the area, and given the probability of extraneous traffic infiltrating
throughout the residential communities north, south and west of the Teddington
Park/Wanless Park Area, all as set out in this report, the proposed traffic management plan
for the Teddington Park/Wanless Park Area not be implemented in its entirety at this time;
(2)That the Metropolitan Corporation be requested to implement the proposed turning
prohibitions at the intersections of Lawrence Avenue East with Ardrossan Place, Ronan
Avenue and Wanless Crescent as listed in Appendix 2.1 of this report;
(3)That the proposed turning prohibitions at the Haslemere Road/Braeside Road and
Wanless Crescent/Wanless Avenue intersections as listed in Appendix 2.2 of this report be
approved;
(4)That all-way "Stop" sign control be approved for the intersection of Wanless
Avenue/Kappele Avenue;
(5)That approval be given to reconfiguring the Wanless Avenue/Kappele Avenue
intersection as shown on Figure 8 attached to this report;
(6)That I review the impact of the above controls six months after installation and report
back to your Committee; and
(7)That the appropriate City Officials be authorized to take whatever action is necessary to
implement the foregoing, including the introduction in Council of any Bills which might be
required to amend By-law No. 522-78 and implement the work.
Background: Your Committee, at its meeting of February 5, 1992, in considering my report
of January 24, 1992 together with communications of January 17 and 20, 1992 from Mr.
Scott Stevens and Mr. Mario Buszynski of the Wanless Park Ratepayers Association,
respectively and January 28, 1992 from Councillor Kay Gardner regarding a proposed traffic
management plan for the Teddington Park/Wanless Park Area, requested me to review the
traffic management plan for the Teddington Park/Wanless Park Area submitted by the
Wanless Park Ratepayers Association in consultation with its Traffic Committee and report
back to your Committee as soon as practicable.
Comments:
1.Existing Conditions
1.1General Description of the Study Area
The Teddington Park/Wanless Park Area is located in the most northerly portion of Ward
16 and is bounded by Yonge Street, Lawrence Avenue East and the boundary between the
City of Toronto and the City of North York. Figure 1 indicates the Teddington Park/Wanless
Park Area and vicinity. Yonge Street, Lawrence Avenue East and Mount Pleasant Road,
south of Lawrence Avenue East, are four lane arterial roads under the jurisdiction of the
Metropolitan Toronto Corporation.
Mount Pleasant Road, from Lawrence Avenue East to Glen Echo Road, is a City arterial
road and Glen Echo Road, from Mount Pleasant Road to Yonge Street, is a City collector
road. Both of these streets are former Metropolitan roads which were reverted to City of
Toronto jurisdiction on June 1, 1990.
The study area is residential in nature except that section fronting Yonge Street, from
Lawrence Avenue to the City limit, which is predominately retail and commercial. A large
City park, Wanless Park, is situated on the block bounded by Kappele Avenue, Haslemere
Road, Braeside Road, Wanless Crescent and Wanless Avenue. Two schools are located
either in the area or just adjacent to it.
Bedford Park Public School is located just east of Yonge Street and borders on Ranleigh
Avenue to the north and Wanless Avenue to the south. The Toronto French School is
located on the east side of Mildenhall Road, just north of Lawrence Avenue East, in the City
of North York, one block east of the study area.
The area is well served by public transit. The Yonge Subway line provides the major focus
for public transit serving the area with a station located at Lawrence Avenue and Yonge
Street (the Lawrence Station). Surface bus routes, which provide direct connection with the
Lawrence Station, operate on Yonge Street (Yonge No. 97) and Lawrence Avenue East
(Lawrence-Donway No. 162 and Sunnybrook No. 124). The Nortown East No. 103 bus
operates on Mount Pleasant Road, from Glen Echo Road south to Eglinton Avenue East and
thence to the Eglinton Station of the Yonge Subway line. Surface bus service is also
provided to points west of the Yonge Subway line on Lawrence Avenue West (Lawrence
West No. 52).
1.1.1City of North York Streets
Just north of the subject area are a number of residential streets located in the City of North
York which are accessible only via the City of Toronto (see Figure 1). These streets are
Doncliffe Place, Forest Glen Crescent and sections of Doncliffe Drive. The most easterly
end of Riverview Drive, just east of the subject area, is also situated within the City of North
York with its only access from the City of Toronto.
On the easterly boundary of the study area properties on the east side of Braeside Road are
in the City of North York. The streets in this area include Mildenhall Road (which becomes
Haslemere Road on the west side of Braeside Road), Braeside Crescent, Proctor Crescent
and Rothmere Drive (which becomes Wanless Crescent on the west side of Braeside Road).
The intersection of Mildenhall Road and Lawrence Avenue East in the City of North York is
signalized and facilitates access to the subject area for both City of Toronto and City of
North York residents destined to Lawrence Avenue East and Bayview Avenue.
1.2Traffic Regulations
Figure 2 shows all existing traffic control signals, turning prohibitions and "Stop" sign
locations in the study area.
Many of the streets in the Teddington Park/Wanless Park Area are currently signed to give
effect to a 40 kilometres per hour speed limit including Mount Pleasant Road, from
Lawrence Avenue East to Glen Echo Road and Glen Echo Road, from Mount Pleasant Road
to Yonge Street.
Yonge Street and Lawrence Avenue East have 50 kilometres per hour speed limits and
parking is prohibited on both streets in the predominant direction of travel during both rush
periods.
1.3Recent Changes to Area Traffic Regulations
Mount Pleasant Road, from Lawrence Avenue East to Glen Echo Road, has been narrowed
to two lanes of traffic from four lanes by means of signage and extensive pavement
markings. The four all-way "Stop" sign control locations on Mount Pleasant Road indicated
on Figure 2 were implemented in June, 1991 at the request of area residents and the local
Councillor, as a means of improving safety for pedestrians (especially children) and in
conjunction with the posting of 40 kilometres per hour speed signs, to control the speed of
traffic along Mount Pleasant Road.
Speed and volume counts taken on Mount Pleasant Road before and after the
implementation of these measures indicate a 10 percent reduction in the daily volume of
traffic and a minor reduction in the average speed of motor vehicles. However, some of the
reduction in traffic volumes on Mount Pleasant Road, as on many other streets within the
City of Toronto, can be directly attributed to the current economic recession.
1.4On-street Overnight Permit Parking
Eight streets in the Teddington Park/Wanless Park Area are designated for on-street
overnight permit parking and permits are issued only to residents of these specific streets.
These are detailed in Appendix 3. A total of 648 permit parking spaces are available for
which as of August 19, 1992, 243 permits have been issued.
1.5Traffic Volumes
Existing traffic volumes are summarized for the a.m. peak hour, the daytime normal hour
and the p.m. peak hour on Figures 3, 4 and 5, respectively.
The daily (24-hour) volumes, as well as morning and afternoon peak hour volumes, for the
busiest streets in the subject area are in Appendix 4.
1.6Summary of Existing Conditions
Mount Pleasant Road, carrying some 8,000 vehicles per day, is the major route in the
Teddington Park/Wanless Park Area used by transient traffic during both rush periods.
Transient traffic uses the east-west streets between Yonge Street and Mount Pleasant Road
to turn off of or onto Yonge Street to bypass the Yonge Street/Lawrence Avenue
intersection. Much of this traffic is destined to points south via Mount Pleasant Road.
Secondary egress points used by transient traffic, destined to Bayview Avenue, are the
streets intersecting with Lawrence Avenue East, east of Mount Pleasant Road and include
the intersection of Mildenhall Road and Lawrence Avenue East in the City of North York.
Some of the traffic using Ranleigh Avenue and Wanless Avenue, from Yonge Street to
Mount Pleasant Road, can be attributed to two factors. Firstly, many parents drive their
children to and from Bedford Park Public School using either of these streets, especially
during the morning rush period, and secondly, many motorists pick up and drop off persons
using the Ranleigh Avenue entrance to the Lawrence Station.
2.Teddington Park/Wanless Park Area Traffic Management Plan
The area traffic management plan proposed by the Wanless Park Ratepayers Association is
shown on Figure 6 for the morning rush period and on Figure 7 for the afternoon rush
period.
The primary purpose of the proposed traffic management plan is to regulate and reduce the
volume of transient traffic which originates from the north and flows through the residential
streets east of Yonge Street destined to Mount Pleasant Road, south of Lawrence Avenue
East and/or Bayview Avenue during the morning rush period and the returning northbound
traffic during the afternoon rush period.
In the morning rush period a series of southbound left turn prohibitions or entry
prohibitions are proposed on the portion of Yonge Street, from Teddington Park Avenue to
Wanless Avenue, on the westerly boundary of the area in order to reduce the volume of
southbound transient traffic through the subject area. In the southeasterly quadrant of the
subject area westbound to northbound right turn prohibitions are proposed along Lawrence
Avenue East where it intersects with Ardrossan Place, Ronan Avenue and Wanless Crescent,
as well as some internal turn restrictions at the Haslemere Road/Braeside Road and Wanless
Crescent/Wanless Avenue intersections. These controls are designed to reduce westbound
transient traffic on Lawrence Avenue East attempting to bypass the Lawrence Avenue
East/Mount Pleasant Road intersection, as well as to divert transient traffic generated by the
Toronto French School to the arterial roads.
In the afternoon rush period northbound to westbound left turn prohibitions are proposed at
streets intersecting with Mount Pleasant Road from Ranleigh Avenue to Glen Echo Road.
These prohibitions are intended to restrict transient vehicles from travelling north through
the subject residential area in order to bypass the Yonge Street/Lawrence Avenue
intersection. As well, an entry prohibition is proposed on Wanless Avenue, between Leith
Place and Yonge Street, to reduce westbound transient traffic along Wanless Avenue and
any transient vehicles entering northbound from the intersections of Lawrence Avenue East
with Leith Place, Cardinal Place and Preston Place. In order to advise motorists of the
controls, the posting of "Local Traffic Only" signs is proposed for all intersections with
Lawrence Avenue East within the study area.
For the southeasterly portion of the study area similar controls to the morning rush period
are proposed. One major concern of the residents in this part of the study area centres on
transient traffic on such streets as Wanless Crescent, Wanless Avenue, Braeside Road,
Haslemere Road and on Kappele Avenue, generated in part by parents picking up and
dropping off their children at the Toronto French School. As these streets also border on
Wanless Park, the residents are concerned for the safety of children utilizing Wanless Park.
In addition to the foregoing, the Wanless Park Ratepayers Association is proposing the
installation of a number of additional all-way "Stop" sign controls within the area.
Councillor Michael Walker has also forwarded to me a petition, signed by a number of
residents on Ronan Avenue, supporting the installation of additional all-way "Stop" sign
controls on Ronan Avenue as indicated on Figures 6 and 7. These are addressed in Section 4
of this report.
In consideration that Yonge Street and Lawrence Avenue East are Metropolitan roads and,
accordingly, any turning restrictions along either of these streets would require the approval
of the Metropolitan Corporation, I have consulted with staff of the Metropolitan
Transportation Department whose comments respecting this traffic management plan are
contained in a letter dated June 11, 1992, which is quoted in its entirety in Appendix 5 to
this report.
3.Traffic Impact
The Wanless Park Ratepayers Association's traffic management plan would have the effect
of removing approximately 1,300 transient vehicles from that residential community during
the morning rush period (7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.) of which 630 vehicles fall within the
morning peak hour. Of those vehicles to be displaced during the morning peak hour,
approximately 560 vehicles are currently turning into the area from Yonge Street and would
have to be accommodated elsewhere. The remaining 70 vehicles enter the area east of Mount
Pleasant Road or are generated by the Toronto French School. The only access to the school
under this scheme is from Mildenhall Road.
During the afternoon rush period (4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) about 1,300 vehicles would be
diverted from the subject area of which 670 fall within the afternoon peak hour. Five
hundred and seventy vehicles currently execute northbound to westbound left turns from
Mount Pleasant Road towards Yonge Street, utilizing the various streets from Lawrence
Avenue East to Glen Echo Road. The remaining 100 vehicles would either be diverted from
the streets intersecting Lawrence Avenue East, from Wanless Crescent to Mount Pleasant
Road or would be transient traffic generated by the Toronto French School.
Many local residents would have to travel circuitous routes in order to access their homes
during the times that the various turning/entry prohibitions are in effect. The net result,
however, should be a significant drop in the volume of traffic on internal residential streets.
I would expect some transient traffic to continue utilizing the area. The traffic displaced
from the Teddington Park/Wanless Park Area, especially from Mount Pleasant Road, during
both rush periods will have a negative impact on Yonge Street and Lawrence Avenue West.
Adjacent residential communities to the west and to the south will also experience higher
traffic volumes.
While it is difficult to predict with accuracy the new routes that traffic will take once the
subject traffic management plan is implemented, I believe some of the traffic displaced will
transfer to other Metropolitan roads such as Avenue Road and Bayview Avenue and other
City roads such as Jedburgh Road/Duplex Avenue, one block west of Yonge Street. This
may result in some increase in traffic volumes on residential streets on the west side of
Yonge Street. During the afternoon rush period, traffic travelling north on Mount Pleasant
Road, prior to reaching Lawrence Avenue East, may choose to execute left turns onto City
streets such as Dawlish Avenue, St. Leonard's Avenue and Lawrence Crescent to get to
northbound Yonge Street, resulting in higher traffic volumes on these streets.
Residents living in the City of North York, as described in Section 1, would be negatively
impacted. The City of North York Commissioner of Transportation, by his letter of April 14,
1992 (quoted in its entirety in Appendix 5 to this report) has raised a number of concerns
respecting the impact of the proposed traffic management plan upon City of North York
streets which are not now experiencing difficulties with transient traffic.
3.1Morning Rush Period, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
3.1.1Yonge Street
I expect that Yonge Street will carry the bulk of the traffic to be displaced by the proposed
traffic controls. At the present time, approximately 1,800 vehicles travel southbound on
Yonge Street, approaching Lawrence Avenue, during the a.m. peak hour.
The intersections of Yonge Street with Fairlawn Avenue, Ranleigh Avenue and Lawrence
Avenue will experience increased southbound congestion.
Assuming that all existing southbound to eastbound left turning traffic which would be
eliminated by the proposed controls remains on Yonge Street, approximately 560 vehicles
would be added to existing southbound traffic volumes for a total of approximately 2,360
vehicles over the rush period. This traffic volume exceeds the capacity of Yonge Street,
resulting in excessive queues and delays for southbound motorists, as well as delays to the
Yonge No. 97 bus.
3.1.2Yonge Street/Lawrence Avenue Intersection
As noted above, there will be an increased demand for southbound left turns at the Yonge
Street/Lawrence Avenue intersection. There currently is some surplus capacity for this
movement. However, the increased demand created by this plan will bring the intersection to
capacity. In addition, the exclusive southbound left turn lane at this intersection has limited
storage capacity and vehicles queued back waiting to execute left turns will block
southbound through lanes, further restricting the capacity of Yonge Street. There is little
opportunity to provide additional green time for southbound Yonge Street traffic because the
entire cycle length is utilized now.
3.1.3Ranleigh Avenue
To permit parents to drop off children at Bedford Park Public School, the southbound left
turn from Yonge Street to Ranleigh Avenue is to be retained. To prevent transient traffic
from utilizing this street beyond the school eastbound to southbound right turns would be
prohibited at Mount Pleasant Road, as well as at Ronan Avenue.
3.1.4Prohibition of Entry - Wanless Avenue and Glenforest Road, east of Yonge Street
Posting "No Entry" signs on Wanless Avenue and Glenforest Road, just east of Yonge
Street, combined with "Local Traffic Only" signs on these streets where they intersect with
Yonge Street, will retain vehicular access to businesses on these streets but will discourage
transient traffic.
3.1.5Lawrence Avenue East, east of Mount Pleasant Road
The subject plan proposes westbound right turn prohibitions at the intersections of Lawrence
Avenue East with Wanless Crescent, Ronan Avenue and Ardrossan Place. These would be
implemented in conjunction with compulsory left turns at the Braeside Road/Haslemere
Road and Wanless Crescent/Wanless Avenue intersections. The latter controls would divert
transient traffic from the subject area that would enter at the intersection of Mildenhall Road
and Lawrence Avenue East while allowing North York residents and those destined to the
Toronto French School continued access through this intersection.
The total number of vehicles (about 60) to be diverted from these streets during the morning
rush period is not significant and there is sufficient surplus capacity at the intersection of
Mount Pleasant Road and Lawrence Avenue East to accommodate these vehicles. This will
result in less transient traffic in the area east of Mount Pleasant Road and north of Lawrence
Avenue East and will provide the greatest benefit to the residents of Ronan Avenue.
Accordingly, I support this aspect of the proposed traffic management plan.
3.1.6Impact of City of North York Streets
It is the opinion of the City of North York Commissioner of Transportation that the
proposed southbound to eastbound left turn prohibitions on Yonge Street would sever
reasonable access requirements to Doncliffe Place, Forest Glen, Mildenhall Road, Braeside
Crescent, Proctor Crescent and Rothmere Drive. The residents on these streets would face
similar access restrictions as those residents living in the subject area in the City of Toronto.
I would anticipate that the level of transient traffic on the latter four streets would in fact
decrease should the subject traffic management plan be implemented.
3.1.7Alternative Routes to the Teddington Park/Wanless Park Area
Increased congestion on Yonge Street will prompt motorists to find alternative routes. It is
possible that motorists will switch to other nearby Metropolitan roads such as Avenue Road
and Bayview Avenue. However, Mount Pleasant Road/Jarvis Street provides a direct route
downtown and it is likely that many motorists who currently use this route will wish to
continue doing so.
Those motorists on Yonge Street proceeding south of Lawrence Avenue and wishing to
access Mount Pleasant Road will utilize the streets in the residential community south of
Lawrence Avenue East and east of Yonge Street, resulting in higher volumes of transient
traffic within that community.
No controls are proposed for the west side of Yonge Street. Accordingly, it is possible that
some motorists will shift to Jedburgh Road/Duplex Avenue in order to continue their
southbound journey. However, Jedburgh Road/Duplex Avenue already carries a high
volume of traffic and there is very little additional capacity to accommodate more
southbound traffic through the traffic control signals at the Lawrence Avenue West and
Jedburgh Road/Duplex Avenue intersection. Accordingly, motorists may turn right off
Yonge Street, south of Yonge Boulevard, using such streets as Deloraine Avenue, Melrose
Avenue and St. Germain Avenue, travel west to Jedburgh Road (or utilize the public lanes to
the rear of the stores fronting on Yonge Street) and then back to Yonge Street via Fairlawn
Avenue, use the traffic control signals to cross over to Snowdon Avenue and thence south
onto Mount Pleasant Road. Other streets on the west side of Yonge Street could also be
similarly impacted.
3.2Afternoon Rush Period, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
3.2.1Mount Pleasant Road
To prevent the reverse flow of transient traffic in the afternoon rush period northbound left
turn prohibitions are proposed at all intersections of Mount Pleasant Road, from Lawrence
Avenue East to Glen Echo Road, with the exception of Wanless Avenue which would have a
westbound "No Entry" prohibition just east of Yonge Street (see Section 3.1.4 of this
report). It is estimated that these controls, with the inclusion of similar controls during the
afternoon rush period as discussed in Section 3.1.5, will divert approximately 670 transient
vehicles from the area.
These restrictions will significantly reduce traffic volumes on Mount Pleasant Road and on
all east-west streets in the subject area from Mount Pleasant Road to Yonge Street.
However, the traffic to be diverted from the study area (some 570 vehicles during the p.m.
peak hour) will cause problems at other locations in the surrounding area, especially at the
intersection of Yonge Street and Lawrence Avenue.
3.2.2Lawrence Avenue East, east of Mount Pleasant Road
The subject plan proposes westbound right turn prohibitions at the intersections of Lawrence
Avenue East with Wanless Crescent, Ronan Avenue and Ardrossan Place. These would be
implemented in conjunction with compulsory left turns at the Braeside Road/Haslemere
Road and Wanless Crescent/Wanless Avenue intersections. These controls are similar to
those noted in Section 3.1.5. The impact of these controls can be accommodated on the
surrounding road system. The residents have requested that these turn prohibitions be
implemented from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in order to also discourage transient traffic
generated by the Toronto French School, as well as other transient vehicles entering the area
via the Mildenhall Road/Lawrence Avenue East intersection.
The resultant diverted traffic is not significant, representing some 100 vehicles during the
p.m. peak hour. Half of these vehicles would have destinations within the Teddington
Park/Wanless Park Area and would most likely turn north onto Mount Pleasant Road, with
the remainder continuing west to Yonge Street. Accordingly, I support the implementation
of these turning prohibitions, in conjunction with the internal compulsory turns at the
Haslemere Road/Braeside Road and Wanless Crescent/Wanless Avenue intersections. As in
the morning rush period, these internal controls would deflect transient traffic entering the
area via the Mildenhall Road/Lawrence Avenue East intersection and would reduce transient
traffic generated by the Toronto French School. In consideration of the residents' concerns
respecting the Toronto French School I support the request to commence the prohibitions at
3:30 p.m.
3.2.3Lawrence Avenue East/Mount Pleasant Road Intersection
The proposed turning prohibitions along Mount Pleasant Road, north of Lawrence Avenue
East, will have an impact on this intersection. As noted in Section 3.2.2 the westbound
Lawrence Avenue East traffic to be diverted from the study area can be accommodated by
the existing traffic control signals at Lawrence Avenue East and Mount Pleasant Road.
However, the proposed prohibitions on Mount Pleasant Road, from Lawrence Avenue East
to Glen Echo Road, will result in changes to northbound traffic approaching the subject
intersection. Although right turns onto Lawrence Avenue East and left turns from Lawrence
Avenue East to northbound Mount Pleasant Road should be reduced by at least fifty percent
representing some 290 vehicles during the peak p.m. hour, these vehicles will be added to
the northbound left turn queue on Mount Pleasant Road. This movement is currently at
capacity during the p.m. peak hour and excessive delays will occur for motorists waiting to
make this turn. Alternatively, motorists may use residential streets south of Lawrence
Avenue East to access Yonge Street causing transient traffic problems for streets such as
Dawlish Avenue, St. Leonard's Avenue, Dinnick Crescent and Lympstone Avenue.
3.2.4Yonge Street/Lawrence Avenue Intersection
The traffic to be diverted from the study area will have the greatest impact on the Yonge
Street/Lawrence Avenue intersection. As noted in Section 3.2.3 approximately 290 vehicles
will be added to those vehicles currently travelling north on Mount Pleasant Road, executing
left turns onto Lawrence Avenue East and thence right turns to northbound Yonge Street. An
additional 50 vehicles will be added to westbound Lawrence Avenue East traffic
approaching Yonge Street from the turning restrictions proposed in Section 3.2.1. Some of
this traffic will divert to residential streets to the south of Lawrence Avenue East and will be
added to the existing northbound Yonge Street traffic approaching Lawrence Avenue.
The intersection of Yonge Street and Lawrence Avenue is operating at capacity during the
afternoon peak hour and the addition of approximately 350 more vehicles through the
intersection cannot be accommodated. Should the plan be implemented traffic queues would
lengthen, congestion would increase and the movement of Toronto Transit Commission
buses would be inhibited.
3.2.5Impact on North York Streets
The proposed northbound to westbound left turn prohibitions on Mount Pleasant Road
would "trap" transient motorists at the north end of Mount Pleasant Road. These motorists
could use Doncliffe Drive and Forest Glen Crescent in the City of North York to travel to
Glen Echo Road to access northbound Yonge Street, thereby circumventing the turn
restrictions along Mount Pleasant Road. In order to prevent this, a southbound to westbound
right turn prohibition from the west leg of Doncliffe Drive to Glen Echo Road would be
required should the proposed traffic management plan be implemented.
City of North York residents living on Mildenhall Road, Braeside Crescent, Proctor
Crescent and Rothmere Drive would lose direct access to Yonge Street via the Teddington
Park/Wanless Park area during the rush periods and would be forced to access their streets
via Lawrence Avenue East. However, the existing level of transient traffic on these streets
should be substantially reduced should the proposed traffic controls be implemented.
3.2.6Alternative Routes to the Teddington Park/Wanless Park Area
Possible alternative routes which include some of the residential streets running east off
Mount Pleasant Road, from Dawlish Avenue to Lawrence Avenue East, have been identified
above. These streets currently experience some transient traffic, however, should the
proposed traffic management plan be implemented the volumes of transient traffic on these
streets would increase.
I would also expect that other streets, especially Jedburgh Road/Duplex Avenue, as well as
Yonge Street and Bayview Avenue, will experience increased levels of traffic as a result of
this plan.
4.Additional All-way "Stop" Sign Controls
The additional all-way "Stop" sign controls proposed by the Wanless Park Ratepayers
Association are indicated on Figures 5 and 6 and are listed in Section 1.5 of Appendix 1.
As can be seen, most of the proposed all-way "Stop" sign controls are on streets intersecting
with Ronan Avenue. The residents of Ronan Avenue, by petition submitted to Councillor
Michael Walker, have indicated their support for these additional "Stop" signs as a way of
reducing the speed and volume of traffic on their street. Additional "Stop" signs are
proposed for the intersections of Wanless Avenue with Leith Place, Preston Place and
Kappele Avenue and on Bocastle Avenue at Roslin Avenue and at Snowdon Avenue.
The turn prohibitions recommended in Sections 3.1.6 and 3.2.1, specifically, the westbound
to northbound right turn prohibitions at the intersections of Lawrence Avenue East with
Wanless Crescent, Ronan Avenue and Ardrossan Place combined with the internal
compulsory turns at the Haslemere Road/Braeside Road and Wanless Crescent/Wanless
Avenue intersection during both rush periods should result in decreasing traffic volumes on
Ronan Avenue by one half to approximately 40 vehicles during each of the a.m. and p.m.
peak hours (representing less than 1 car per minute). I suggest that the need for additional
"Stop" sign controls be reassessed as part of the six month review referred to above in
Recommendation 6.
I also note that I am preparing an implementation report on the removal of superfluous
"Stop" signs within the City of Toronto and will be suggesting the removal of some "Stop"
signs as a method of reducing noxious automobile emissions. Accordingly, I do not feel that
it would be advisable to place all the additional all-way "Stop" sign controls in the subject
area at this time.
4.1Wanless Avenue/Kappele Avenue Intersection
The unusual configuration of this intersection would make the placement of "Stop" signs
confusing. To accommodate all-way "Stop" sign controls, the intersection will need to be
reconfigured to clearly define the appropriate traffic movements. There are numerous
pedestrians crossing this intersection to access Wanless Park which is contiguous to the
subject intersection. Accordingly, it would be desirable to consider all-way "Stop" sign
controls at this intersection. I note that this is consistent with Criteria 2(e) of the Stop Sign
Management Programme, as approved by City Council at its meeting of September 16 and
17, 1991 (Clause 35 in City Services Report No. 11, contained in Executive Committee
Report No. 21), dealing with the installation of all-way "Stop" sign controls "at intersections
serving special categories of pedestrians such as school children and senior citizens".
A number of possible designs have been considered to channelize traffic for the subject
intersection. The design shown on Figure 8, estimated to cost $15,000, achieves the desire
result while minimizing costs. Over the past three years no accidents have been reported at
this intersection. There are no plans to reconstruct either Wanless Avenue or Kappele
Avenue in the foreseeable future.
Funds are available in my 1992 Capital Budget Account No. 292-250 to reconfigure the
subject intersection as per Figure 8. The work constitutes an alteration to the public highway
pursuant to the provisions of the Municipal Act.
5.Environmental Impact
The proposed traffic management plan will contribute to increased congestion on arterial
roads and will require some residents to extend their trips in order to access their homes.
This will result in increased fuel consumption by cars, leading to an increase in vehicle
emissions and higher levels of air pollution. As well, the increased levels of traffic on the
arterial roads will have a deleterious effect on public transit as the travel times for buses will
be increased.
The placement of additional "Stop" signs in the area as discussed in Section 4 would result
in increased fuel consumption and an increase in vehicle emissions. Furthermore, residents
living near these new "Stop" sign locations will be subjected to increased noise levels.
6.Implementation
The traffic controls necessary to implement the proposed traffic management plan
recommended by the Wanless Park Ratepayers Association are listed in Appendix 1 by area
of jurisdiction.
I have listed in Appendix 2 those traffic controls which I consider necessary and
supportable at this time and those considered likewise by the Metropolitan Commissioner of
Transportation.
I am presently reviewing the possibility of exempting bicycles from the proposed turn/entry
prohibitions for this area, as well as for other areas of the City of Toronto. According to the
Highway Traffic Act of Ontario, bicycles are classified as vehicles and as such cyclists are
required to obey all traffic regulations. I will reporting on this matter as soon as practicable.
7.Costs
I estimate that the cost to manufacture and post the required signs in order to implement the
entire proposed traffic management plan as recommended by the Wanless Park Ratepayers
Association would be approximately $10,000. If the entire traffic management plan were to
be implemented funds could be provided from my 1992 Operating Budget, Account
No. 739-631.
I estimate that to manufacture and post the required signs to implement the controls
recommended by me and the Metropolitan Commissioner of Transportation will cost
approximately $1,000. Funds for this modest amount of work are available in my
1992 Operating Budget Account No. 739-631.
8.Comments Received from Other Government Agencies
In accordance with City Council policy respecting area traffic management plans, I have
contacted other governmental agencies in order to obtain their comments respecting the
Teddington Park/Wanless Park Area traffic management plan. The responses from these
agencies are included in Appendix 5 of this report.
----
Appendix 1
Traffic Controls Proposed by the
Wanless Park Ratepayers Association for the
Teddington Park/Wanless Park Area
1.1 Proposed Turn Restrictions Under the Jurisdiction of
Metropolitan Toronto
TurnsTimes and
IntersectionDirectionProhibitedDays
Yonge Streetsouthboundleft7:00 a.m. to
and9:00 a.m.,
Teddington Parkexcept
AvenueSaturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Yonge Streetsouthboundleft7:00 a.m. to
and9:00 a.m.,
Golfdale Roadexcept
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Yonge Streetsouthboundleft7:00 a.m. to
and9:00 a.m.,
Snowdon Avenueexcept
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Yonge Streetsouthboundleft7:00 a.m. to
and9:00 a.m.,
Roslin Avenueexcept
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Yonge Streetsouthboundleft7:00 a.m. to
and9:00 a.m.,
Bowood Avenueexcept
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Lawrence Avenuewestboundright7:00 a.m. to
East and9:00 a.m. and
Wanless Crescent3:30 p.m. to
6:00 p.m.,
except
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Lawrence Avenuewestboundright7:00 a.m. to
East and9:00 a.m. and
Ronan Avenue3:30 p.m. to
6:00 p.m.,
except
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Lawrence Avenuewestboundright7:00 a.m. to
East and9:00 a.m. and
Ardrossan Place3:30 p.m. to
6:00 p.m.,
except
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
1.2 Proposed Turn Restrictions Under the Jurisdiction of the
City of Toronto
TurnsTimes and
IntersectionDirectionProhibitedDays
Ranleigh Avenueeastboundright7:00 a.m. to
and9:00 a.m.,
Mount Pleasantexcept
RoadSaturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays,
Buses Excepted
Ranleigh Avenueeastboundright7:00 a.m. to
and9:00 a.m.,
Ronan Avenueexcept
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Haslemere Roadwestboundleft7:00 a.m. to
and9:00 a.m. and
Braeside Road3:30 p.m. to
6:00 p.m.,
except
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Wanless Crescentwestboundright7:00 a.m. to
and9:00 a.m. and
Wanless Avenue3:30 p.m. to
6:00 p.m.,
except
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Mount Pleasant Roadnorthboundleft4:00 p.m. to
and6:00 p.m.,
Ranleigh Avenueexcept
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays,
Buses Excepted
Mount Pleasant Roadnorthboundleft4:00 p.m. to
and6:00 p.m.,
Bowood Avenueexcept
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Mount Pleasant Roadnorthboundleft4:00 p.m. to
and6:00 p.m.,
Roslin Avenueexcept
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Mount Pleasant Roadnorthboundleft4:00 p.m. to
and6:00 p.m.,
Glenforest Roadexcept
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Mount Pleasant Roadnorthboundleft4:00 p.m. to
and6:00 p.m.,
Snowdon Avenueexcept
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Mount Pleasant Roadnorthboundleft4:00 p.m. to
and6:00 p.m.,
Golfdale Roadexcept
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Mount Pleasant Roadnorthboundleft4:00 p.m. to
and6:00 p.m.,
Teddington Parkexcept
AvenueSaturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Mount Pleasant Roadnorthboundleft4:00 p.m. to
and6:00 p.m.,
Glen Echo Roadexcept
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
1.3 Proposed "No Entry" Restrictions
ProhibitedTravelledTimes and
HighwayHighwayDirection Days
Wanless Avenue,Wanlesseastbound7:00 a.m. to
100 m east ofAvenue9:00 a.m.,
Yonge Streetexcept
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Wanless Avenue,Wanlesswestbound3:30 p.m. to
100 m east ofAvenue6:00 p.m.,
Yonge Streetexcept
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Glenforest Road,Glenforesteastbound7:00 a.m. to
50 m east ofRoad9:00 a.m.,
Yonge Streetexcept
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
1.4 Proposed "Local Traffic Only" Signs
TravelledTimes and
IntersectionHighwayDirectionDays
Wanless AvenueWanlesswestbound7:00 a.m. to
andAvenue9:00 a.m.,
Yonge Streetexcept
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Ranleigh AvenueRanleighwestbound7:00 a.m. to
andAvenue9:00 a.m.,
Yonge Streetexcept
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Glenforest RoadGlenforestwestbound7:00 a.m. to
andRoad9:00 a.m.,
Yonge Streetexcept
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Leith PlaceLeithnorthbound4:00 p.m. to
andPlace6:00 p.m.,
Lawrence Avenueexcept
EastSaturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Cardinal PlaceCardinalnorthbound4:00 p.m. to
andPlace6:00 p.m.,
Lawrence Avenueexcept
EastSaturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Preston PlacePrestonnorthbound4:00 p.m. to
andPlace6:00 p.m.,
Lawrence Avenueexcept
EastSaturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Ardrossan PlaceArdrossannorthbound4:00 p.m. to
andPlace6:00 p.m.,
Lawrence Avenueexcept
EastSaturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Ronan AvenueRonannorthbound4:00 p.m. to
andAvenue6:00 p.m.,
Lawrence Avenueexcept
EastSaturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Wanless CrescentWanlessnorthbound4:00 p.m. to
andCrescent6:00 p.m.,
Lawrence Avenueexcept
EastSaturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
1.5 Proposed "All-way Stop" Controls
IntersectionsStop Streets
Bocastle Avenue andBocastle Avenue
Snowdon Avenue(northbound and southbound)
Bocastle Avenue andBocastle Avenue
Roslin Avenue(northbound and southbound)
Wanless Avenue andLeith Place
Leith Place(eastbound and westbound)
Wanless Avenue andPreston Place
Preston Place(eastbound and westbound)
Wanless Avenue andWanless Avenue
Kappele Avenue(eastbound and westbound)
Wanless Avenue andKappele Avenue
Kappele Avenue(southbound)
Ronan Avenue andGolfdale Road
Golfdale Road(eastbound and westbound)
Ronan Avenue andRonan Avenue
Snowdon Avenue(northbound and southbound)
Ronan Avenue andRonan Avenue
Glenforest Road(northbound and southbound)
Ronan Avenue andRonan Avenue
Bowood Avenue(northbound and southbound)
Ronan Avenue andRonan Avenue
Ranleigh Avenue(northbound and southbound)
----
Appendix 2
Traffic Controls Recommended for the
Teddington Park/Wanless Park Area
2.1 Recommended Turn Restrictions Under the Jurisdiction of
Metropolitan Toronto
TurnsTimes and
IntersectionDirectionProhibitedDays
Lawrence Avenuewestboundright7:00 a.m. to
East and9:00 a.m. and
Wanless Crescent3:30 p.m. to
6:00 p.m.,
except
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Lawrence Avenuewestboundright7:00 a.m. to
East and9:00 a.m. and
Ronan Avenue3:30 p.m. to
6:00 p.m.,
except
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Lawrence Avenuewestboundright7:00 a.m. to
East and9:00 a.m. and
Ardrossan Place3:30 p.m. to
6:00 p.m.,
except
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
2.2 Recommended Turn Restrictions Under the Jurisdiction of the
City of Toronto
TurnsTimes and
IntersectionDirectionProhibitedDays
Haslemere Roadwestboundleft7:00 a.m. to
and9:00 a.m. and
Braeside Road3:30 p.m. to
6:00 p.m.,
except
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
Wanless Crescentwestboundright7:00 a.m. to
and9:00 a.m. and
Wanless Avenue3:30 p.m. to
6:00 p.m.,
except
Saturdays,
Sundays and
Public Holidays
----
Appendix 3
Permit Parking for the
Teddington Park/Wanless Park Area
The following number of permits have been issued for the spaces available as of August
19, 1992:
SpacesPermits
LocationFrom/ToAvailableIssued
ArdrossanLawrence Avenue East to3017
PlaceWanless Avenue
BowoodYonge Street to11023
AvenueRonan Avenue
GlenforestYonge Street to13349
Roadthe easterly limit of
Glenforest Road
RanleighYonge Street to 8037
AvenueRonan Avenue
SnowdonBocastle Avenue to16440
AvenueRiverview Drive
RonanWanless Avenue to 4214
AvenueRanleigh Avenue and
Glenforest Road to
Snowdon Avenue
RoslinYonge Street to 6226
AvenueBocastle Avenue and
Ronan Avenue to
easterly limit of
Ronan Avenue
WanlessMount Pleasant Road to 2737
AvenueArdrossan Place and
Ronan Avenue to
Kappele Avenue
Total648243
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Appendix 4
Highest Traffic Volume Carrying Streets for the
Teddington Park/Wanless Park Area
24-HourA.M. PeakP.M. Peak
StreetVolume Hour Hour
Yonge Street, north of39,2402,7402,710
Lawrence Avenue East
Lawrence Avenue East, east of24,9001,8702,035
Yonge Street
Mount Pleasant Road, north of 8,060 920 900
Lawrence Avenue East
Teddington Park Avenue, east of 4,070 465 270
Yonge Street
Snowdon Avenue, east of 2,100 150 170
Yonge Street
Golfdale Road, east of 2,040 220 170
Yonge Street
Glen Echo Road, east of 1,990 230 220
Yonge Street
Ranleigh Avenue, east of 1,800 215 215
Yonge Street
Ronan Avenue, north of 1,400 75 85
Wanless Avenue
Wanless Avenue, east of 1,200 130 120
Mount Pleasant Road
Bowood Avenue, east of 1,150 70 100
Yonge Street
Glenforest Road, east of 1,050 85 110
Yonge Street
Roslin Avenue, east of 950 70 70
Yonge Street
----
Appendix 5
Comments Received from Other Government Agencies
In accordance with City Council policy respecting area traffic management plans, I
contacted other government agencies in order to obtain their comments respecting this traffic
management plan.
2.1City of Toronto Fire Department
Mr. Walter. J. Shanahan, Fire Chief, by letter dated February 26, 1992, advised as follows:
"The Toronto Fire Department has no objection to this plan as it consists mostly of "No
Turn" signs which we would ignore when responding to an emergency.
The addition of more "Stop" signs can slow down our emergency responses as it means our
vehicles must come to a complete stop before proceeding."
2.2 Metropolitan Toronto Ambulance Services Department
Mr. K. J. Kitchen, Assistant Director, Operations, by letter dated March 6, 1992, advised as
follows:
"Further to your request of February 20, 1992, I have had my staff review the proposals and
have found that we do not anticipate any impact to our daily operations at this time.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this proposed amendment."
2.3 Metropolitan Toronto Police Force
Inspector D. Hutt, Traffic Support Services, by letter dated March 6, 1992, advised as
follows:
"A member of my staff has inspected the area covered in the proposal.
While the Force makes no objection to the plan, we would prefer the City to examine the
plan more closely to determine the impact it will have on traffic patterns in the communities
south of Lawrence Avenue East. It is believed that failure to address this issue as a whole
will result in additional dissatisfaction in the Community.
Once the restrictions are in place and enforcement action is taken, no exemptions or
understandings will be made for residents of the area. Please be further advised that signs
such as "Local Traffic Only" are not enforceable and are considered advisory only. The
addition of "Stop" signs to the area is unnecessary if the intention of the plans is to limit
traffic flow and is contrary to the City's stated policy to eliminate unnecessary stops."
2.4 Toronto Transit Commission
Mr. G. Y. Chien, P.Eng., Manager - Operational Planning, by letter dated March 18, 1992,
commented as follows:
"Thank you for your letter of February 20, 1992 requesting our comments on the subject
proposal. We have reviewed the plans and offer the following comments for your
consideration.
Although none of the proposed measures has an impact on the routing of any of our current
services in the area, there could be substantial increases in delay to our buses resulting from
additional traffic on Yonge Street and Lawrence Avenue East.
The traffic control measures in the proposed traffic management plan would not only
discourage through vehicles from using local streets but would also limit direct access from
the neighbourhood to much of the local and arterial road network. These additional turning
movements of local and through traffic at nearby major intersections could adversely affect
our services presently using these intersections."
2.5City of North York
2.5.1Mr. Vince Murphy, Commissioner of Transportation, by letter dated April 14, 1992,
advised as follows:
"Thank you for your letter dated March 20, 1992 soliciting comments regarding the above
noted proposal.
Our review had indicated that while the proposed control plan is totally within the City of
Toronto limits, it will have a great impact on roadways within North York which are not
currently experiencing any transient traffic problems. Should this plan be implemented,
re-routing of traffic would cause unreasonable infiltration.
Specifically, during the A.M. peak period, proposed southbound left turn restrictions on
Yonge Street would sever reasonable access requirements to Doncliffe Drive, Forest Glen,
Mildenhall Road, Braeside Crescent, Proctor Crescent and Rothmere Drive.
Proposed northbound left turn restrictions on Mount Pleasant Road, in the P.M. peak period
would "trap" drivers on Mt. Pleasant Road and force a re-routing of traffic to Doncliffe
Drive or Forest Glen to exit this area. At the east end of the traffic management plan area,
these restrictions would also re-route transient traffic onto Mildenhall Road, north of
Lawrence Avenue. Traffic would travel through North York streets to by-pass the proposed
turn restrictions, or as a result of a lack of an alternative route to access or egress the area.
These type of controls are therefore unreasonable, and in consultation with Councillor. J.
Flint, are not considered acceptable to North York residents.
I would, therefore, request that the North York Transportation Department and Councillor J.
Flint be included in the development of this Traffic Management Plan."
2.5.2Councillor Joanne Flint, City of North York Ward 8, by letter dated April 30, 1992,
advised as follows:
"I am very concerned about the rerouting of traffic in the City of Toronto that will have
serious repercussions for residents of Ward 8. I wish to be informed of the development of
this traffic plan to date are to be included in any future meetings regarding the above and
any other issues that you feel will impact my ward."
2.6 Metropolitan Toronto Transportation Department
Mr. Peter K. Hillier, Regional Traffic Manager, by letter dated June 11, 1992, advised as
follows:
"The proposed morning and afternoon traffic plans, developed by the Traffic Committee of
the Wanless Park Ratepayers Association in January 1992, have been analyzed with respect
to their anticipated effect upon two Metropolitan Toronto roadways: Yonge Street and
Lawrence Avenue East. Generally speaking, these plans would have a severe negative
impact on the Metropolitan roads and we do not support the majority of the proposed turn
prohibitions on Metropolitan roads.
A.Proposed Morning Traffic Plan:
The predominant traffic flow in the morning peak period on Yonge Street in this area is
southbound. If southbound left turns were prohibited on Yonge Street, there would be an
accumulative increase in the southbound volume. The first intersection with traffic signals
that would encounter this increase is Yonge Street and Fairlawn Avenue.
(i)Yonge @ Fairlawn:
The southbound approach is operating at capacity during the morning peak hour, and an
additional 431 vehicles (22 percent of existing) would need to be serviced if the turn
prohibitions are introduced as proposed.
Additional green time cannot be added to the Yonge Street phase because the side street
green indication is the minimum length required to safely provide pedestrian crossing time
across Yonge Street.
We calculate that the resultant delays and congestion caused by the additional traffic would
be severe: the vehicular capacity of the intersection will be considerably lower than the
volume of traffic being serviced by the intersection at the present time. If we attempt to
operate the intersection in this "over capacity" condition, we anticipate an increase in
accidents, vehicular delays, fuel consumption, and air pollution.
(ii)Yonge @ Ranleigh:
The proposed left turn prohibitions would result in an additional 64 southbound vehicles on
Yonge Street between Fairlawn Avenue and Ranleigh Avenue, resulting in a cumulative
increase of 495 vehicles in the morning peak hour. This represents a 22.5 percent increase
over the existing southbound volume, and the existing traffic operation is already at
capacity.
The same comments as were applied to the Yonge Street at Fairlawn Avenue intersection
apply to this one. The anticipated detrimental effects of added traffic volumes are severe and
unacceptable.
(iii)Yonge @ Lawrence:
The total additional southbound traffic flow on Yonge Street approaching Lawrence
Avenue East would be approximately 559 vehicles in the morning peak hour, if the
southbound left turn prohibitions were introduced as proposed. This is a 33 percent increase
over the existing volume.
At the present time, there is some reserve capacity in the morning rush hour. However, the
additional traffic volume will bring the operation of the intersection to capacity.
Furthermore, if there is a high left turn demand added to the southbound approach (as a
result of the left turn prohibitions "upstream") the left turn storage lane will be overburdened
and the left turn queue will obstruct southbound through traffic.
(iv)Yonge @ Chatsworth:
The next traffic signal which will be encountered by southbound Yonge Street traffic south
of Lawrence Avenue East is at Chatsworth Drive. Presently, this intersection is operating at
capacity in the morning peak hour. Even if a conservative estimate of the southbound
through movement from Yonge Street at Lawrence Avenue East is used in the impact
analysis, the impact would be severe and the resultant increase in delays and congestion
would cause a higher accident risk and higher fuel consumption and air pollution.
(v)Lawrence @ Mount Pleasant:
At the present time, the intersection of Lawrence Avenue East and Mount Pleasant Road is
operating at capacity in the morning peak hour. If the proposed southbound left turn
prohibitions were adopted on Yonge Street, the southbound Mount Pleasant Road traffic
flow should be reduced significantly. However, because of the awkward intersection
geometrics and the specialized signal phasing at this location, major improvements which
could be gained because of the reduced southbound demand would be off-set by the
anticipated increase in eastbound traffic flow originating from the displaced traffic on Yonge
Street.
B.Proposed Afternoon Traffic Plan:
The major traffic demand in the afternoon peak period is northbound and the purpose of the
proposed westbound right turn prohibitions on Lawrence Avenue East, east of Mount
Pleasant Road, and northbound left turn prohibitions on Mount Pleasant Road, north of
Lawrence Avenue East, is to divert through traffic onto other roadways. It is probable that
some of the displaced traffic will find alternate routes through the residential neighbourhood
immediately to the south of Lawrence Avenue East.
(vi)Lawrence @ Mount Pleasant:
Right turn prohibitions on Lawrence Avenue East to the east of Mount Pleasant Road could
have the accumulative impact of adding 96 vehicles to the westbound approach of the
Lawrence Avenue East and Mount Pleasant Road intersection in the afternoon peak hour.
Assuming that 50 percent of this traffic is "local" in nature, and has a destination within the
Teddington Park/Wanless Park area, then approximately 48 drivers will be turning right onto
Mount Pleasant Road and approximately 48 will be driving straight through westbound.
Even though the existing traffic flow at this intersection is operating close to capacity at this
time of day, these additional volumes could be accommodated without severe impacts on the
Metropolitan road system.
(vii)Yonge @ Lawrence:
At the present time, there are approximately 577 northbound drivers making left turns from
Mount Pleasant Road onto streets within the Teddington Park/Wanless Park area, north of
Lawrence Avenue East, in the afternoon peak hour. Assuming a low conservative estimate
of only 50 percent of this volume being displaced onto Metropolitan roads (because the
other 50 percent has a destination within the Teddington Park/Wanless Park area and will
therefore find a route through the neighbourhood) approximately 290 through vehicles will
wish to make a left turn onto Lawrence Avenue East at Mount Pleasant Road or will be
displaced onto northbound Yonge Street approaching Lawrence Avenue East. These
northbound left turns onto Lawrence Avenue East will eventually be added to the westbound
Lawrence Avenue East traffic approaching Yonge Street. This is in addition to the
approximately 48 vehicles displaced from westbound Lawrence Avenue East wishing to turn
right, east of Mount Pleasant Road.
The Yonge Street and Lawrence Avenue East intersection is presently operating at capacity
in the afternoon peak hour, and the addition of approximately 350 vehicles would cause
severe delay and congestion problems.
(viii)Yonge @ Ranleigh
In the afternoon peak hour, there is presently reserve capacity in the northbound direction
on Yonge Street at Ranleigh Avenue. The potential additional northbound traffic could be
accommodated.
(ix)Yonge @ Fairlawn
The northbound flow on Yonge Street at Fairlawn Avenue is presently over capacity during
the afternoon peak hour. If the additional traffic from the Teddington Park/Wanless Park
Traffic Plan were added, the impact on delays and congestion would be severe. Northbound
left turn movements are permitted at this time and, if they were prohibited, the traffic flow
would be improved but would still be over capacity.
C.Conclusions
The Metropolitan Toronto Transportation Department cannot support any of the proposed
morning traffic plans for the Teddington Park/Wanless Park area because of the severe
impacts to Yonge Street and Lawrence Avenue East. Similarly, we cannot support the
majority of the afternoon traffic plans because of severe impacts to the Metropolitan Roads
and the potential adverse affects on the neighbouring residential area to the south. However,
we are not opposed to afternoon peak period right turn prohibitions on Lawrence Avenue
East for westbound traffic: at Wanless Crescent, at Ronan Avenue, and at Ardrossan Place.
The relative impacts of these prohibitions are not severe and the Metropolitan road system
should be able to absorb the displaced traffic without undue additional delays and
congestion. The proposed control periods are from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday to
Friday, but, to be consistent with other existing turn controls in the area, the control periods
should be 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, except Public Holidays."
3.7City of Toronto Planning and Development Department
Ms. Maggie Easton, P. Eng., Policy Planner - Transportation, in a telephone conversation of
May 27, 1992 with a member of my staff advised that the Planning and Development
Department does not have any objections to the implementation of this plan on a six month
trial basis. However, she recommends that consideration be given to exempting cyclists
from the proposed restrictions.
The drawings attached to the foregoing report from the Commissioner of Public Works and
the Environment, Figures 1 - 8, are included in the attached material and are on file with the
City Clerk.
The Committee also submits the report (January 24, 1992) from the Commissioner of
Public Works and the Environment:
Origin: Commissioner of Public Works and the Environment (c39csc92099:17)
Recommendation: That I be directed to review the traffic management plan for the
Teddington Park/Wanless Park Area submitted by the Wanless Park Ratepayers Association
in consultation with its Traffic Committee and report to your Committee as soon as
practicable.
Comments: I submit herewith copy of letter of transmittal dated January 20, 1992 from Mr.
Mario Buszynski, Chairperson, Traffic Committee of the Wanless Park Ratepayers
Association, for a traffic management plan of the above noted area.
This is consistent with City Council's policy adopted on July 14 and 18, 1986 as per Clause
24 in City Services Committee Report No. 11, contained in Executive Committee Report
No. 25.
I will review the traffic management plan of the Wanless Park Ratepayers Association in
consultation with its Traffic Committee and report to your Committee as soon as practicable
on this plan.
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(Letter dated January 20, 1992 from Mr. Mario Buszynski, Chairperson, Traffic Committee,
Wanless Park Ratepayers Association, addressed to Mr. Nick Vardin, Commissioner of
Public Works and the Environment)
"By copy of this letter, the Traffic Committee of the Wanless Park Ratepayers Association
is submitting a proposal to establish a rush hour traffic plan in the area bounded by Yonge
Street on the west, Lawrence Ave. on south, and the City of Toronto Limits on the north and
east.
Issue
The issue is the volume of transient rush hour traffic passing through the neighbourhood
causing safety, noise and air pollution concerns. The gradual build-up of transient rush hour
traffic culminated in over 100 letters being written to Councillor Walker in 1987 from
residents in the area requesting introduction of rush hour traffic controls.
A letter from the Commissioner of Public Works to Councillor Walker dated November 13,
1987 detailed the results of traffic surveys in the Wanless Park Area. A licence plate trace
survey to determine the routing of traffic in the Wanless Park area was completed for both
the morning and afternoon rush hours. The results showed that in the morning rush hour,
47.7% of the vehicles entering the area from Mt. Pleasant exited at Lawrence Avenue East.
In the afternoon rush hour 42% of the vehicles entering the area from Lawrence Avenue East
exited at Mt. Pleasant Road.
A letter of April 3, 1991 to the Commissioner of Public Works for the City of Toronto from
the Manager of Traffic Investigations for Metro Toronto states that approximately 1,000
vehicles could be diverted to the Yonge Street/Lawrence Avenue intersection in the morning
rush hour if traffic controls (turning restrictions) were implemented on Yonge Street. This
indicates the magnitude of the problem. Once the recession is over it is expected that this
issue will magnify because of the additional volumes of traffic on the road.
History
The Traffic Committee was initially formed in 1987 and held a number of meetings. The
development of a traffic plan was deferred during the Hearings to revert Mt. Pleasant to a
City Street. Once this was accomplished and controls were developed for Mt. Pleasant, the
Committee was re-activated and continued on with the work assigned to it.
Composition
The Committee is composed of between 16 and 22 members, representing streets in the
neighbourhood. Many members dropped off the Committee during the deferment but an
equal number of new members were added after the February 27, 1991 public meeting at the
Bedford Park Public School during which a traffic plan was developed for Mt. Pleasant
Road. The membership stayed dynamic and was increased after the public meetings to
review our plans. Both supporters and objectors were incorporated to develop plans which
would satisfy residents of the neighbourhood.
A City of Toronto traffic engineer was made available to assist the Committee in terms of
what would be feasible from an engineering standpoint.
Public Involvement
Public open houses were held on June 11 and 26, 1991 and formal public meetings were
held on June 26 and November 26, 1991. Comments were received and suggestions were
incorporated where feasible. All of this information has been appended.
The Plans
Maps showing the morning and afternoon rush hour traffic plans may be found on the
following two pages. Mr. Benjamin of the City's Traffic Department is very familiar with
the plans and can further interpret them for you.
The turning restrictions are self-explanatory. The no entry restrictions east of Yonge St. on
Glenforest Rd. and Wanless Ave. are done to accommodate car repair businesses that
receive a great deal of their business during the morning rush hours. The reason for allowing
a left hand turn southbound from Yonge St. to Ranleigh Ave. is to accommodate the school
parking and daycare centres on Ranleigh. The turn restrictions in the Wanless Park area are
designed to reduce the traffic generated by the Toronto French School. It is also proposed to
establish a traffic island in the Wanless Park area at the intersection of Wanless Avenue and
Kappele Avenue. Numerous resident concerns about the safety of this intersection were
received during the traffic study and we feel that a traffic island would alleviate these
concerns.
As is evidenced by the analysis of public involvement, these plans have significant
community support. This can be attested to by both the local and metro councillors who
attended the November 26, 1991 public meeting.
We appreciate your assistance in this matter and look forward to your review. If we can be
of assistance please do not hesitate to call.
The Committee also had before it the following material which is included in the additional
material and on file with the City Clerk:
-(January 17, 1992, February 3, 1992 and October 28, 1992) from Scott Stevens
-(October 5, 1992) from Mario Buszynski, President, Wanless Park Ratepayers'
Association
-(November 14, 1992) from H. M. Pedlar
-(November 19, 1992) from Jim and Daphne Doak
-(November 23, 1992) from Eric and Margaret Taylor
-(December 2, 1992) from Rod Borstmayer
-(December 5, 1992) from Robert Hall
-Summary of a residents' public meeting on December 2, 1992
-Drawing No. 421F-2809 dated November 1992
Comments submitted at a Public Open House on December 2, 1992, are on file with the
City Clerk.
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The Toronto Community Council reports for the information of Council, having also had
before it during consideration of the foregoing matter, the following communication (May 1,
1998) from Councillor Michael Walker, North Toronto, and a copy of which is on file in the
office of the City Clerk.
Respectfully submitted,
COUNCILLOR KYLE RAE,
Chair
Toronto, May 6 and 7, 1998
Frances M. Pritchard
Tel: (416) 392-7033