April 12, 1999

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Andrew Koropeski, Director, Transportation Services District 1

Subject:Merton Street from Mount Pleasant Road to Bayview Avenue - Proposed installation of speed humps (North Toronto)

Purpose:

To reduce the speed of traffic on Merton Street, from Mount Pleasant Road to Bayview Avenue, 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 $21,000 can be accommodated in the Transportation Services Division 1999 Capital Budget, Account No. 296702.

Recommendations:

1. That approval be given to alter sections of the roadway on Merton Street, from Mount Pleasant Road to Bayview 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:

"The construction of speed humps on Merton Street, from Mount Pleasant Road to Bayview Avenue, generally as shown on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5302, dated December, 1998";

2. That the speed limit be reduced from 40 km/h to 30 km/h on Merton Street from Mount Pleasant Road to Bayview 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.

Background:

City Council at its meeting of November 25, 26 and 27, 1998 in adopting Clause 60, Item W in Toronto Community Council Report No. 14, requested City staff to review the feasibility of installing speed humps on Merton Street from Mount Pleasant Road to Bayview Avenue and to report back to Community Council with the results of the feasibility study.

Comments:

Merton Street from Mount Pleasant Road to Bayview Avenue is a collector street with two-way operation, a daily traffic flow of about 6,400 to 6,600 vehicles with a speed limit of 40 km/h and a pavement width varying from 8.5 metres to 10.9 metres. Parking is prohibited anytime on the north side of Merton Street from Mount Pleasant Road to Bayview Avenue; on the south side of Merton Street from Mount Pleasant Road to a point 82 metres east thereof; in front of Pottery Playground; and from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Monday to Friday from about a point 82 metres east of Mount Pleasant Road to a point 309 metres further east thereof. Otherwise, parking is permitted for a maximum period of three hours.

Merton Street was included in the South Eglinton Area (East) Traffic Calming Project (Phase I) comprised of 85 modular traffic islands to narrow selected intersections and midblock locations. As a result of polling, the majority of respondents (72 percent) in the community opted to have the road narrowing devices removed, however, a majority (59 percent) also indicated their support for the development of additional or other forms of traffic management. On Merton Street this majority was 74 percent.

This section of Merton Street consists of two blocks: Mount Pleasant Road to Cleveland Street (approximately 800 metres in length); and Cleveland Street to Bayview Avenue (approximately 300 metres in length). A typical speed study on Merton Street revealed that the average speed traveled by vehicles is 49 km/h, the operating speed (the speed traveled by 85% of traffic) is 58 km/h and 24% of all vehicles traveled in excess of 55 km/h.

The proposed locations for the speed humps are shown on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5302, dated December 1998. Ten humps are proposed on Merton Street from Mount Pleasant Road to Cleveland Street and four humps are proposed from Cleveland Street to Bayview Avenue.

Implementation of the proposed speed humps on the above-noted street should have no impact on the availability of on-street parking and will not unduly hamper snow removal, street cleaning or garbage pick-up operations.

In light of the above and the apparent local support for the proposal which was evident at a public meeting held on April 8, 1999, hosted by the Merton Street Traffic Committee and attended by both North Toronto Councillors Ann Johnston and Michael Walker as well as Transportation Services staff, it is recommended that residents be polled to determine the level of community support for speed humps as outlined above. The poll should be conducted of adults (18 years and older) of households directly abutting the affected portions of the streets. At least 60% of valid responses should support the plan in order to authorize the installation. The final decision rests with City Council.

The changes proposed to Merton Street as set out above constitute alterations to a public highway pursuant to the 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 are being advised of the proposal to ensure that the proposal does not significantly impede 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:

Michael J. Harris, Supervisor Traffic Engineering, 392-7711

Director.

MJH/mjh

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