Installation of Speed Humps - Shaw Street from
Bloor Street West to College Street (Trinity-Niagara)
The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report
(October 29, 1998) from the Director, Transportation Services, District 1:
Purpose:
To reduce the incidence of speeding vehicles on Shaw Street between Bloor Street West and
College Street.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
The estimated cost for this proposal is $20,000, funds for which are available in Works and
Emergency Services 1998 Capital Fund Code No. 296702.
Recommendations:
(1)That in order to proceed with the installation of speed humps on Shaw Street from Bloor
Street West to College Street, the traffic calming plan which was previously approved (but yet
to be implemented) by the former City of Toronto Council at its meeting of July 14, 1997
(Clause 2 in City Services Committee Report No. 9) should be rescinded as follows:
(a)By-law No. 1997-0350 respecting pavement narrowings at specified locations on Shaw
Street, from Bloor Street West to College Street, be rescinded;
(b)By-law No. 1997-0343 respecting the installation of a southbound bicycle lane on the west
side of Shaw Street, from Bloor Street West to Dewson Street and from a point 70 metres
south of Dewson Street to College Street, be rescinded; and
(c)the parking regulations which existed prior to the approval of the traffic calming plan be
reinstated by approving the amendments to Chapter 400 of the Municipal Code identified in
Appendix A attached to this report;
(2)That approval be given to alter sections of the roadway on Shaw Street, from Bloor Street
West to College Street for traffic calming purposes as described below, with implementation
subject to the favourable results of polling of the affected residents pursuant to the policy
related to speed hump installation as adopted by the former City of Toronto Council:
"The construction of speed humps on SHAW STREET from Bloor Street West to College
Street, generally as shown on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5277, dated October,
1998."
(3)That the speed limit be reduced from forty kilometres per hour to thirty kilometres per
hour on Shaw Street from Bloor Street West to College Street, coincident with the
implementation of the traffic calming measures; and
(4)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 may be
required.
Background:
The former City of Toronto Council at its meeting of July 14, 1997 approved a traffic calming
plan for the section of Shaw Street from Bloor Street West to College Street (Clause 2 of City
Services Committee Report No. 9) consisting of selected road narrowings using precast
concrete islands and a bicycle lane in order to reduce traffic speeds. This plan was developed
over a period of two years and was endorsed by area resident representatives prior to approval
of the current speed hump policy by the former City of Toronto Council at its meeting of
August 21, 1997. Area residents upon having seen the use of speed humps on other streets,
requested Trinity-Niagara Councillors Joe Pantalone and Mario Silva to revisit this matter
with a view to implementing speed humps in place of the previously approved traffic calming
plan, which has not yet been implemented.
Comments:
At the request of Councillors Pantalone and Silva on behalf of area residents, Works staff
investigated the feasibility of implementing speed humps on Shaw Street between Bloor
Street West and College Street. A speed hump plan was prepared and presented at a public
meeting held on September 22, 1998 attended by both Councillors, residents of Shaw Street
and staff of Works and Emergency Services. It was agreed that the previously approved traffic
calming plan should not be pursued but rather that Works staff prepare the necessary report to
implement a speed hump plan.
The subject section of Shaw Street operates one-way southbound with a speed limit of 40
kilometres per hour and a pavement width of 7.3 metres. Speed surveys conducted in 1996
indicate typical daily traffic volumes of approximately 2,500 vehicles of which over 60%
exceeded the speed limit south of Bloor Street West and 40% south of Harbord Street. In
addition, Shaw Street is part of a designated bicycle route extending from Hallam Street in the
north to King Street West in the south.
The traffic calming proposal is illustrated on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5277
dated October, 1998 and consists of 12 speed humps spaced approximately 40 to 90 metres
apart. In addition a reduction of the speed limit to 30 kilometres per hour is also appropriate to
maintain safe operating speeds for motorists to travel over the humps. With the reinstatement
of the parking regulations noted in Recommendation No. 1(c) and identified in Appendix A,
there will be no impact on current parking arrangements and any impact on snow removal,
street cleaning and garbage collection should be minimal.
As stipulated in the Policy, once it has been determined that speed hump installation meets
technical criteria, a formal poll should be conducted of adults (18 years and older) of
households directly abutting the affected section of the street, and also households on side
streets whose only access is from the street under consideration for speed hump installations.
At least 60% of those responding should be in favour of the proposal to authorize
implementation. Accordingly, staff will conduct a poll of residents and report on the results at
a deputation meeting for the project.
The changes proposed to Shaw Street, as described above, constitute an alteration to a public
highway pursuant to the provisions of the Municipal Act. The intent of Council to enact a
by-law to authorize any physical changes resulting in the alteration of the pavement
configuration must be advertised and subsequently be subject to a public hearing. In the
interim, consultations with the emergency services agencies will be undertaken to ensure that
the detailed design does not unduly hamper their respective operations.
This project is pre-approved in accordance with Schedule A of the Class Environmental
Assessment for Municipal Roads Projects.
Contact Name and Telephone Number:
Stephen Benjamin, Manager of Transportation Operations, 392-7773
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Appendix A
Municipal Code Chapter 400 Article VII - Schedules, Parking Amendments Required to
rescind the Shaw Street, from Bloor Street West to College Street, Traffic Calming Plan
1. §400-76 - Schedule XXIII - No Parking Certain Times
2.§400-79B - Schedule XXVI - Permit Parking, Part A: 12:01 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
3.§400-79B - Schedule XXVI - Permit Parking, Part P: 12:01 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
4.§400-81 - Schedule XXVIII - Alternate Side Parking.
The Toronto Community Council reports, for the information of Council, having also had
before it during consideration of the foregoing matter, a communication (November 11, 1998)
from Mr. Bruce A. McKinnon, and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk.