October 26, 1999
To: Toronto Community Council
From: Andrew Koropeski, Director, Transportation Services District 1
Subject: Eastern Avenue at Trinity Street - Installation of a Pedestrian Refuge Island
(Don River)
Purpose:
To report on the installation of a median island on Eastern Avenue, immediately east of Trinity Street to enhance safety for
pedestrians crossing the street at this uncontrolled location.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Funds to cover the cost of installing the median island on Eastern Avenue in the estimated amount of $5,000.00 will be
included in the Transportation Services Division 2000 Capital Budget request and funds to undertake the necessary signage
and pavement marking adjustments in the estimated amount of $1,000.00 will be included in the Transportation Services
Division 2000 Operating Budget request.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) approval be given to narrow and alter a section of the pavement on Eastern Avenue from Trinity Street to Cherry Street,
through the placement of a centre median island, as described in the body of this report and generally as shown on Drawing
No. 421F-5485, and as follows:
(a) The narrowing of the pavement on Eastern Avenue from approximately 4.0 metres east of Trinity Street to a point 10.0
metres further east, from a current width of about 15.2 metres to a width of about 13.4 metres; and
(2) the appropriate City Officials be requested to take whatever action is necessary to give effect to the foregoing, including
the introduction in Council of any Bills that are required.
Comments:
At the request of residents in the vicinity of the Eastern Avenue/Trinity Street intersection and in consultation with Don
River Councillors Jack Layton and Pam McConnell, we have investigated the possibility of implementing a safety
enhancement for pedestrians crossing Eastern Avenue at Trinity Street.
The environmental and prevailing traffic conditions suggest that neither a pedestrian crossover or traffic control signals are
justified at this intersection. However, over 150 pedestrians were recorded crossing the street during a recent 8-hour survey
conducted by Transportation Services and this volume is likely to increase over the next few years as new residential
developments spring up on lands south and east of the subject intersection.
As an immediate safety enhancement we will be installing signs on Eastern Avenue in advance of Trinity Street to advise
motorists approaching the intersection that they may expect to encounter pedestrians crossing ahead. However, our
assessment suggests that an additional safety enhancement is required in the form of a pedestrian refuge. Placing a centre
median island, 1.8 metres in width and 10.0 metres in length (essentially as shown on Drawing No. 421F-5485, attached)
on Eastern Avenue from a point approximately 4.0 metres east of Trinity Street to a point 14.0 metres east can provide
such a refuge.
The median island would provide a measure of safety for pedestrians choosing to cross the street at this location.
Pedestrians would have to wait for a gap in on-coming traffic and cross at their own discretion to get safely from the curb
to the island then from the island to the opposite curb (a two-stage crossing of four lanes).
The installation of the median island on Eastern Avenue, as set out above, constitutes an alteration to a public highway
pursuant to the provisions of the Municipal Act. This project is pre-approved in accordance with Schedule A of the Class
Environmental Assessment for Municipal Roads Projects.
Staff have been advised that Councillors Layton and McConnell, and community representatives support the installation of
the median/refuge island.
Contact:
Ron Hamilton, Supervisor of Traffic Engineering,
Telephone: 392-1806, Fax: 392-0816, E-mail: rhamilto@toronto.ca
Director.
RJH/rjh
Attachment
1. Dwg. No. 421F-5485
(p:\1999\ug\cws\ipt\to990276.ipt) - jt
