April 12, 1999

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Andrew Koropeski, Director, Transportation Services District 1

Subject:Soudan Avenue, Manor Road East and Hillsdale Avenue East from Yonge Street to Mt. Pleasant Road and on Redpath Avenue from Eglinton Avenue East to Manor Road East- Proposed installation of speed humps (North Toronto)

Purpose:

To reduce the speed of traffic on Soudan Avenue, Manor Road East and Hillsdale Avenue East, from Yonge Street to Mt. Pleasant Road, and on Redpath Avenue, from Eglinton Avenue East to Manor Road East, 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 $40,000 can be accommodated in the Transportation Services Division 1999 Capital Budget, Fund Code 296702.

Recommendations:

1) That approval be given to alter sections of the roadway on Soudan Avenue, Manor Road East and Hillsdale Avenue East, from Yonge Street to Mt. Pleasant Road, and on Redpath Avenue, from Eglinton Avenue East to Manor Road East, 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 Soudan Avenue, Manor Road East and Hillsdale Avenue East, from Yonge Street to Mt. Pleasant Road, and on Redpath Avenue, from Eglinton Avenue East to Manor Road East, generally as shown on the attached prints of Drawing Nos. 421F-5294, 95, 96 and 97, dated November 1998";

2) That the speed limit be reduced from 40 kilometres per hour to 30 kilometres per hour on Soudan Avenue, Manor Road East and Hillsdale Avenue East from Yonge Street to Mt. Pleasant Road and on Redpath Avenue from Eglinton Avenue East to Manor Road East coincident with the implementation of speed humps; and

3) That the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect to the foregoing including the introduction in Council of any Bills that may be required.

Background:

City Council at its meeting of July 8, 9 and 10, 1998, in adopting Clause No. 61, Item (q) in Toronto Community Council Report No. 8, entitled "Traffic Management Study in the South Eglinton West Area (Bounded by Yonge Street, Eglinton Avenue East, Mount Pleasant Road and Manor Road East)", formalized the South Eglinton West Area for a traffic management study and authorized the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services to assist the South Eglinton Residents and Ratepayers Association (SERRA) traffic committee in seeking solutions to reduce the speed and volume of traffic on residential streets in this area.

Comments:

In consultation with North Toronto Ward Councillors Anne Johnston and Michael Walker, and area residents, a staff investigation was conducted to determine the feasibility of installing speed humps on Soudan Avenue, Manor Road East and Hillsdale Avenue East, from Yonge Street to Mt. Pleasant Road, and on Redpath Avenue, from Eglinton Avenue East to Manor Road East, to reduce the speed of motor vehicles.

Soudan Avenue is a collector street with a two-way operation, a daily traffic flow varying from about 7,000 vehicles in the vicinity of Yonge Street to 5,300 vehicles in the vicinity of Mt. Pleasant Road with a speed limit of 40 km/h and a pavement width of 8.5 metres. Parking is prohibited at anytime on the north side from Yonge Street to Holly Street and on the entire south side. Parking is also prohibited on the north side between Holly Street and Mt. Pleasant Road from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., except Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Parking, where permitted is generally restricted to a maximum period of one hour during the daytime hours and to 3 hours after 6:00 p.m. A typical speed study on Soudan Avenue revealed an average speed of 44 km/h, an operating speed (speed at which 85% of the vehicles travel at or below) of 52 km/h and 436 or 7% of the vehicles travelled in excess of 55 kilometres per hour.

Hillsdale Avenue is a local street with a two-way operation, a daily traffic flow of about 1,500 vehicles with a speed limit of 40 kilometres per hour and a pavement width of 8.5 metres. Standing is generally prohibited on the north side of the street and parking is permitted to a maximum period of one hour on the south side during the daytime hours and up to 3 hours after 6:00 p.m. Permit parking is in effect on the south side of the street between Yonge Street and Redpath Avenue from 12:01 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. daily. A typical speed study on Hillsdale Avenue East revealed an average speed of 42 kilometres per hour, an operating speed (speed at which 85% of the vehicles travel at or below) of 52 kilometres per hour and 163 or 10% of the vehicles travelled in excess of 55 kilometres per hour.

Manor Road East is a local street with a two-way operation, a daily traffic flow varying between 3,200 and 3,900 vehicles, a speed limit of 40 kilometres per hour and a pavement width of 8.5 metres. Parking is generally prohibited on the north side of the street and standing is prohibited from Yonge Street to Tullis Drive on the south side. Parking is generally permitted to a maximum period of one hour on the south side of the street from Tullis Drive to Mt. Pleasant Road during the daytime hours and up to 3 hours after 6:00 p.m. Permit parking is in effect on the south side of the street between Tullis Drive and Mt. Pleasant Road from 12:01 a.m.to 10:00 a.m.daily. A typical speed study on Manor Road East revealed an average speed of 38 kilometres per hour, an operating speed (speed at which 85% of the vehicles travel at or below) of 48 kilometres per hour and 106 or 3% of the vehicles travelled in excess of 55 kilometres per hour.

Redpath Avenue from Eglinton Avenue East to Manor Road East, is a local street with a two-way operation, a daily traffic flow of about 1,450 vehicles with a speed limit of 40 kilometres per hour and a pavement width of 8.5 metres. Parking is prohibited anytime on the west side of the street and on the east side, from Eglinton Avenue East to Soudan Avenue during the weekday rush periods. Parking is generally permitted to a maximum period of one hour, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., on the east side of the street from Soudan Avenue to Manor Road East during the weekdays and up to 3 hours at other times. A typical speed study on Redpath Avenue revealed an average speed of 36 kilometres per hour, an operating speed (speed at which 85% of the vehicles travel at or below) of 48 kilometres per hour and 177 or 4% of the vehicles travelled in excess of 55 kilometres per hour.

The proposed locations for these speed humps are shown on the attached prints of Drawing Nos. 421F-5294 to 97 inclusive dated November 1998. The following table summarizes key characteristics of the proposals:

The implementation of the proposed speed humps on the above -noted streets 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 support for the proposal evident at a public meeting held on March 25, 1999, hosted by North Toronto Councillors Anne Johnston and Michael Walker, it is recommended that residents be polled to determine the level of community support for the 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 street. 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 Soudan Avenue, Manor Road East, Hillsdale Avenue East and Redpath Avenue 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 it 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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