1 October 1999

To:Chairman and Members of the North York Community Council

From:Roberto Stopnicki,

Director, Transportation Services - District 3

Subject:San Romanoway, Traffic Issues

 Purpose:To report on the resolutions submitted by Councillor Peter Li Preti at North York Community Council of July 15, 1999

 Source of funds:

All costs associated with the installation or modifications to traffic control devices would be included within the year 2000 budget.

Recommendations:

1.The realignment of the private roadway of San Romanoway for its incorporation into the newly activated signalized intersection of Jane Street and York Gate Mall Access not be pursued, as it is physically not feasible;

2.Due to insufficient road width, the installation of a left turn lane for eastbound Finch Avenue West traffic entering San Romanoway is not recommended; and

3.Signal display and signal timing modifications be implemented at the intersection of Jane Street at York Gate Boulevard/Stong Court to mitigate collision potential.

Background:

At its meeting of July 15, North York Community Council had a motion from Councillor Li Preti, requesting an investigation of the feasibility of realigning San Romanoway, to connect with a new signal installation on Jane Street, opposite the York Gate Mall. The motion also included a request to review the feasibility of an eastbound left turn lane on Finch Avenue West at San Romanoway.

 The Transportation Services Division along with the Technical Services Division, have determined that the realignment of San Romanoway to form the fourth leg of the newly signalized intersection of Jane Street at York Gate Mall Access, is not feasible due to the grade differential between San Romanoway, directly opposite the mall access driveway and Jane Street. The above noted section of San Romanoway forms the roof of the underground parking facilities of the multi-level residential building and regrading of this private property cannot be achieved without significant structural alteration of the parking facility.

Discussion:

A review of collision statistics provided by the Toronto Police Service for the five year period ending December 31, 1998, disclosed that a total of sixty-two collisions had occurred on the 335 metre long section of Jane Street from San Romanoway north to and including the signalized intersection of York Gate Boulevard/Stong Court. Of these collisions, three were found to be the type considered preventable by the installation of traffic control signals in the proximity to York Gate Mall Access and/or San Romanoway. The greatest proportion of collisions (52), had occurred at the intersection of Jane Street at York Gate Boulevard/Stong Court of varying types with the majority being of north/south through and/or turning movements conflicts.

A review by staff has determined that additional signal hardware, as well as modifications to the signal timing, would generally address the observed types of collisions.

The signalized intersection of Jane Street at Finch Avenue West is located approximately 180 metres west of the intersection of San Romanoway at Finch Avenue West. Finch Avenue West, at this point, is only 13.4 metres wide, the required width of a four lane roadway with left turn lane is 16.4 metres. Although sufficient boulevard space to perform a widening of Finch Avenue West is provided, an eastbound left turn lane cannot be justified as it might affect traffic operations on Finch Avenue West between Jane Street and Driftwood Avenue. It should also be noted that a driveway located on the south side of Finch Avenue West opposite San Romanoway is offset 14 metres to the west, creating a potential for interlocking east/west left turn movements should a left turn lane be installed.

The recent activation of traffic control signals at Jane Street and York Gate Mall Access will tend to platoon traffic on Jane Street with the potential of creating additional gaps in traffic, allowing motorists to turn from San Romanoway onto Jane Street.

Conclusions:

Due to geometric design and physical impediments, the relocation of San Romanoway and the provision of an eastbound left turn lane on Finch Avenue West at San Romanoway cannot be accomplished.

 The installation of additional traffic signal display hardware, the modification of the signal timings to increase the clearance intervals for all directions at the intersection of Jane Street and York Gate Boulevard/Stong Court, will address the majority of accidents currently being experienced at this location.

Contact Name:

Allen Pinkerton, Manager, Traffic Operations - District 3

395-7463 (telephone)

395-7482 (facsimile)

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

    Roberto Stopnicki,

Director, Transportation Services - District 3

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CITY CLERK

  Clause embodied in Report No. 7 of the North York Community Council, as adopted by the Council of the City of Toronto at its meeting held on July 27, 28, and 29, 1999.

  30

Other Items Considered by the Community Council

(City Council on July 27, 28 and 29, 1999, received this Clause, for information.)

(j)Left Turn Lane - San Romano Way from Finch Avenue West - Black Creek.

The North York Community Council reports having deferred consideration of the following Resolution from Councillor Li Preti, Black Creek:

The North York Community Council also reports having requested the Director, Transportation Services, District 3, to provide a report on this matter for consideration by the North York Community Council at its meeting scheduled for September 14, 1999.

The North York Community Council submits the following Resolution from Councillor Li Preti, Black Creek:

WHEREAS traffic control signals at Jane Street and York Gate Mall access were approved by City Council on July 6, 1999; and

WHEREAS the alignment of San Romano Way with a fourth leg is a local step in alleviating some of the 62 accidents in the past three years; and

WHEREAS a left turn lane travelling east on Finch Avenue entering San Romano Way would alleviate traffic congestion on Finch Avenue between Jane Street and Driftwood Avenue; and

WHEREAS the Transportation Department investigate the feasibility of a left turn lane into San Romano Way from Finch Avenue;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Works and Emergency Services Department determine if the fourth leg at the new synchronized intersection at Jane Street and York Gate Mall is feasible and if it is, that appropriate funds be allocated in the 2000 Capital Budget to accomplish it and that in while reconstructing the easterly portion of Finch Avenue for streetscaping, that the left turn centre lane be extended if it is feasible to accommodate a left turn lane into San Romano Way from Finch Avenue.