Proposed Installation of Speed Humps -
Roxborough Drive from Mt. Pleasant Road to
Highland Avenue (Midtown)
The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report
(September 2, 1998) from the Director, Infrastructure Planning and Transportation
Division, City Works Services:
Purpose:
To reduce the speed of traffic on Roxborough Drive from Mt. Pleasant Road to Highland
Avenue by the introduction of speed humps.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Funds to cover the cost of this work in the estimated amount of $8,000 are available under
Capital Fund Code No. 296702.
Recommendations:
(1) That approval be given to alter sections of the roadway on Roxborough Drive, from Mt.
Pleasant Road to Highland Avenue for traffic calming purposes as described below, with
implementation subject to favourable results of the polling of residents pursuant to the
policy related to speed hump installation as adopted by the former City of Toronto Council:
"The construction of speed humps on Roxborough Drive, from Mt. Pleasant Road to
Highland Avenue, generally as shown on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5242,
dated August 1998";
(2) That the speed limit be reduced from forty kilometres per hour to thirty kilometres per
hour on Roxborough Drive from Mt. Pleasant Road to Highland Avenue coincident with the
implementation of speed humps; and
(3) That the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary
action to implement the foregoing, including the introduction in Council of any Bills that
might be required.
Comments:
At the request of the Midtown Ward Councillors and area residents, a staff investigation was
conducted to determine the feasibility of installing speed humps on Roxborough Drive from
Mt. Pleasant Road to Highland Avenue to reduce the speed of motor vehicles on this street.
Roxborough Drive is a local residential street, winding and hilly in nature, which operates
two-way between Mt. Pleasant Road and Highland Avenue. The easterly portion of the
street has a gradient of between 6% and 8% with a sharp curve while the westerly portion
has more moderate gradients and a much gentler curve. Concerns about the speed of
vehicles and loss of control have historically been focused at the sharp curve at the end of
the steepest portion of the road. A flashing yellow light, with an advisory 20 kilometres per
hour speed and sharp curve symbol signs have been installed to clearly indicate to motorists
the need for extra caution at this location.
Roxborough Drive between Mt. Pleasant Road and Highland Avenue has a pavement width
of 7.3 metres, a speed limit of 40 kilometres per hour and carries about 1,200 vehicles per
day. Parking is permitted on the south side only, from a point 73 m east of Mt. Pleasant
Road to a point 160 m further east for a maximum period of three hours. The permit parking
system is not in place on this street.
Speed surveys have revealed that at least 59% of the vehicles are traveling in excess of the
40 kilometre per hour speed limit and at least 12 % are traveling more than 10 kilometres
per hour over the limit. I also note that this survey was taken towards the Mt. Pleasant Road
end of Roxborough Drive where the roadway is more level and speeds, particularly
westbound, may not be at their maximum.
As the gradient from the sharp curve to the Highland Avenue end of the street is in excess of
5% speed humps cannot be safely installed on this section of Roxborough Drive. However,
four speed humps could be installed on the remaining portion of the roadway as shown on
the attached Drawing No. 421F-5242, dated August 1998. I note that the first hump west of
the curve is placed approximately 70 metres from the curve and as a further precaution signs
informing westbound motorists that speed humps are ahead would be posted in advance of
the curve. With speed humps on the western portion and the recently installed traffic circle
at the Highland Avenue end, the speed limit on this portion of Roxborough Drive should be
reduced to 30 kilometres per hour.
In light of the historical speed related problems on this street and the current amount of
speeding it is recommended that residents be polled to determine whether there is
community support for speed humps as outlined above. The poll should be conducted of
adults (18 years and older) of households directly abutting the affected street, and
households on Old George Place whose only access is from Roxborough Drive. At least
60% of valid responses should support the plan in order to authorize the installation. The
final decision rests with City Council.
The changes proposed to Roxborough Drive as set out above constitute alterations to a
public highway pursuant to the provisions of the Municipal Act.
Accordingly, 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. It is noted that emergency services will be
advised of the proposal to ensure that the detailed design does not unduly hamper their
operations.
This project is pre-approved in accordance with Schedule A of the Class Environmental
Assessment for Municipal Roads Projects.
Contact Name and Telephone Number
Mike Harris
Transportation Planner, 392-7711