April 7, 1999

To:Toronto Cycling Committee

From:Mr. Jack Becker, Co-Chair

Network Planning and Facilities Sub-Committee

Subject:Integration of Cycling Facilities within the City of Toronto -

Mississauga's Cycling Route Master Plan

Recommendation:

It is recommended that the Toronto Cycling Committee request the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services:

(1)to include the development of the Toronto cycling network plan in the integration of cycling facilities between the Cities of Toronto and Mississauga to allow for seamless cycling between the Cities; and that such plan be supportive of the City of Mississauga Cycling Route Master Plan, which is currently under development, and of the Inventory of Cycling Trail Opportunities in Rail and Hydro Corridors report, especially Candidate Trail Opportunity No. 25, and of the previous motion of the Toronto Cycling Committee which was endorsed by City Council for the Etobicoke Creek; and

(2)to direct the appropriate City of Toronto staff to work with staff of the City of Mississauga to develop a plan for cycling facilities for access to Lester B. Pearson International Airport; and that such plan be incorporated into the City of Toronto cycling network plan.

Background:

The City of Mississauga cycling staff and the Mississauga Cycling Advisory Committee has been developing a Master Cycling Route Plan for the City of Mississauga which is hoped to be finalized by this summer. This cycling plan identifies a number of routes that come to the boundary of the City of Toronto and should be continued on the Toronto side. The focus of the Cycling Route Plan is on recreational cyclists. Mississauga staff and the Chair of the Mississauga Cycling Advisory Committee have reviewed their plans with the Network Planning and Facilities Sub-Committee for comment and input. The Sub-Committee supports Mississauga's initiative and recommendations for continuing facilities on the City of Toronto side and further proposed to Mississauga staff that cycling facilities should be developed for access to the Lester B. Pearson International Airport, possibly using Renforth Drive (Toronto) and Silver Dart Road (Mississauga).

The cycling facilities abutting City of Toronto in the City of Mississauga's plan includes (Mississauga Cycling Master Route Plan material, including a map, is available at: http://tor-pw1.netcom.ca/~vida_s/Mcac/plan_review/index.html):

(1)Etobicoke Creek Trail - along Mississauga/Toronto border from Lake Ontario to EglintonAvenue, except for golf courses - as described in the Etobicoke Creek report. North of Eglinton to Brampton, the trail is in Etobicoke Creek Valley using an alignment cleared for sewer construction.

(2)Waterfront Trail.

(3)Queensway Trail - A hydro Trail west of Dixie through to Oakville; east of Dixie Road, a class 3 trail along residential streets and meeting Etobicoke Creek Trail along Sherway Drive.

(4)Burnhamthorpe Trail - the major east-west trail in Mississauga - Class 1 trail for most of its length.

(5)Matheson Trail - probably bike lanes and a good commuter route as it passes through the Airport Corporate Centre. Would probably terminate at Matheson Boulevard and Renforth Drive at the Toronto/Mississauga boundary. With a short trail along Renforth Drive (100m), it could meet Toronto's Eglinton West Trail where it swings into Centennial Park.

(6)Claireville Conservation Area - the Malton Trail will probably enter Claireville to meet Claireville's proposed trail and Toronto's Humber West Trail.

(7)Morning Star Drive (Malton) - A new Highway No. 427 overpass scheduled for 2001 joining MorningstarDrive in Mississauga to Humberwood Boulevard in Toronto. The construction of the bridge was mandated by the OMB. The OMB stipulated that the bridge is to be pedestrian/cyclist friendly. Thus another potential connection between our Cities.

(Note: Class 1 - Bike Paths or Trails; Class 2 - Bike Lanes; Class 3 - Lane shared with motorized vehicles.)

Other Information:

The year 1999 will be a study year for Mississauga with construction starting in the year 2000. Mississauga is planning to introduce 1.2 metre-wide bike lanes on a four-lane road. In order to accommodate bike lanes on this road, the width of the traffic lanes are to be reduced to 3.0 metres for the inner lane and 2.9 metres for the outer lane.

Contact Name:

H-JEH Becker, Co-Chair (Public)

Toronto Cycling Committee

416-203-1711 (v)

hjehbecker@clo.com

Jack Becker