Proposed Speed Humps - Sorauren Avenue, Westminster Avenue,

Fermanagh Avenue, Wright Avenue (High Park)

The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (October13,1998) from the Director, Transportation Services, District 1:

Purpose:

To reduce the speed of traffic on the subject streets 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 $30,000 are available under Capital Fund Code No. 296702.

Recommendations:

1.That approval be given to alter sections of the roadway on Sorauren Avenue, from Grenadier Road to Wabash Avenue, on Westminster and Fermanagh Avenues, from Roncesvalles Avenue to Sorauren Avenue, and on Wright Avenue from Roncesvalles Avenue to Macdonell 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;

AThe construction of speed humps on Sorauren Avenue, from Grenadier Road to Wabash Avenue, on Westminster and Fermanagh Avenues, from Roncesvalles Avenue to Sorauren Avenue and on Wright Avenue from Roncesvalles Avenue to Macdonell Avenue, generally as shown on the attached prints of Drawing No. 421F-5243 dated August 1998, Drawing No. 421F-5261 dated September 1998 and Drawing No. 421F-5267 dated October 1998, respectively@;

2.That the speed limit be reduced from forty kilometres per hour to thirty kilometres per hour on Sorauren Avenue from Grenadier Road to Wabash Avenue, on Westminster and Fermanagh Avenues from Roncesvalles Avenue to Sorauren Avenue and Wright Avenue from Roncesvalles Avenue to Macdonell 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.

Comment:

At the request of Councillor Korwin-Kuczynski and area residents, a staff investigation was conducted to determine the feasibility of installing speed humps on Sorauren Avenue from Grenadier Road to Wabash Avenue, on Westminster and Fermanagh Avenues from Roncesvalles Avenue to Sorauren Avenue and on Wright Avenue from Roncesvalles Avenue to Macdonell Avenue to reduce the speed of motor vehicles on these streets. A plan was forwarded to the area Councillors and the traffic committee of the Roncesvalles Macdonell Residents= Association and is shown on the attached prints of Drawing No. 421F-5243 dated August 1998, Drawing No. 421F-5261 dated September 1998 and Drawing No. 421F-5267 dated October 1998.

Westminster, Fermanagh and Wright Avenues have the highest traffic volumes of any of the local east-west residential streets in the Roncesvalles-Macdonell area. As well, area schools abut these streets, and thus, they are the focus for the current proposal to install speed humps. The proposal related to Sorauren Avenue includes the section fronting the large park, north of Wabash Avenue where Sorauren Avenue traffic is not controlled by AStop@ signs and exhibits relatively higher traffic speeds. The proposal includes 3 speed humps on Sorauren Avenue, 4 on each of Westminster and Fermanagh Avenues and 7 on Wright Avenue.

Sorauren Avenue between Grenadier Road and Wabash Avenue is a two-way collector street having a pavement width of 7.3 metres and a 40 kilometre per hour speed limit. Parking is permitted on the west side and the permit parking system is in effect from 12:01 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. This portion of Sorauren Avenue carries in excess of 6,000 vehicles daily of which 43% travel in excess of the 40 kilometres per hour speed limit and 10% travel at more than 10 kilometres per hour over the limit.

The intersection of Wabash Avenue and Sorauren Avenue at the south-west corner of the park was made an all-way stop in March of 1997. However, as is often the case when the amount of traffic on one street is high and the other relatively low (Wabash Avenue carries about 1,100 vehicles per day) there are concerns that non-compliance with the AStop@ sign may become an issue and pedestrians may be lulled into a false sense of security.

Westminster, Fermanagh and Wright Avenues are one-way local residential streets having pavement widths of 6.5 m, 7.3 m and 7.3 m, respectively, and 40 kilometre per hour speed limits. Of major concern to the local traffic committee is the safety of pedestrians, particularly children using the park and around the area schools (Fern Avenue Public School and St. Vincent De Paul Catholic School). These three streets have daily traffic volumes between 1,150 and 1,300 vehicles with between 22% and 36% travelling in excess of the posted speed limit of 40 km/h. and between 2% and 8% travelling at more than 10 km/h.

As stipulated in the policy, once it has been determined that the primary criteria for speed humps have been satisfied, a City poll should be conducted of adults (18 years and older) of households directly abutting the affected street. The policy notes that 60% of valid responses to the poll should support the plan in order to authorize the installation.

The changes proposed to Sorauren, Westminster, Fermanagh and Wright Avenues as set out above constitute alterations to public highways pursuant to 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

Insert Table/Map No. 1

Sorauren Avenue, Roncesvales, MacDonell, Wright

Insert Table/Map No. 2

Sorauren Avenue, Roncesvales, MacDonell, Wright

Insert Table/Map No. 3

Sorauren Avenue, Roncesvales, MacDonell, Wright