Traffic Management Plan - St. Lucie Drive -

North York Humber

The North York Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (October 14, 1998) from the Director, Transportation Services, District 3:

Purpose:

To install, on a temporary basis, three sets of traffic calming measures along St. Lucie Drive to address safety issues associated with the road alignment.

Source of funds:

All costs associated with the installation of the traffic calming measures are included within the 1998 operating budget.

Recommendations:

1.that two gateway narrowing's, and a pinch point, be installed on St. Lucie Drive;

2. that By-law No. 31878, of the former City of North York, be amended to designate the vehicle speed limit on St Lucie Drive and Franson Crescent at 40 km/h; and

3. staff of the Transportation Services Division report back to Council at the completion of the six month trial period.

Council Reference/Background/History:

Staff of the Transportation Services Division of the Works and Emergency Services Department, in accordance with the former City of North York Council Policy for Traffic Calming, has met with the residents of the St. Lucie Drive Community to address the concerns of the residents with respect to vehicle speeds and the overall safety of the community with respect to traffic related issues. A Traffic Work Group, comprised of the residents of the area and staff of the Transportation Services Division, was established to identify the specific concerns and to develop a traffic management plan which will be considered appropriate and acceptable by the community.

Discussion:

Residents of the greater community have, through both the local Councillors and the Transportation Services Division offices, identified a concern for the rate of speed of vehicles and the decreasing level of safety for residents, particularly in the immediate vicinity of 175 St. Lucie Drive, where vehicles have left the roadway as a result of the road alignment. The residents concern for safety was recently further highlighted when a southbound motor vehicle failed to manoeuver the 90 degree curve in the roadway and struck the corner of the house at 175 St. Lucie Drive. Based upon our review of historical collision records, it was confirmed that similar incidents have occurred, with varying degrees of impact.

The Traffic Work Group, in consultation with staff of the Transportation Services Division, have reviewed various locations along the roadway which were identified as problematic locations. Several traffic options were reviewed by the Traffic Work Group. The traffic calming measures which were eventually approved consist of a gateway narrowing (centre island), in advance of the 90 degree curve west of the west leg of Franson Crescent and between Tampa Terrace and Azalea Court. In addition to the gateway narrowing's, it was determined that a pinch point in the vicinity of 110 St. Lucie Drive also be installed. These were designed to positively affect driver behaviour to reduce vehicle speeds and therefore improve pedestrian/resident safety.

In view of weather and time constraints, Councillor Mammoliti, on behalf of the community and the Traffic Work Group, has requested that the Transportation Services Division prepare this report for consideration by the North York Community Council.

Conclusions:

In view of the above, staff of the Transportation Services Division supports the installation of the traffic calming measures, as a means of increasing safety for the pedestrians, motorists and residents.

Contact Name:

Mr. Allen Pinkerton, Supervisor of Traffic Investigations

395-7463 (telephone)

395-7482 (facsimile)

ajpinker@city.north-york.on.ca (E-mail)