March 16, 1999

To:Urban Environment and Development Committee

From:General Manager, Transportation Services

Subject:Realignment and Widening of the pavements on Bathurst Street and Queens Quay West in connection with the Waterfront West Light Rail Transit extension (Trinity- Niagara and Downtown)

Purpose:

To authorize the realignment and widening of portions of the pavements on Queens Quay West and Bathurst Street to facilitate the construction of the Waterfront West LRT extension .

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Funds to cover the cost of the pavement widenings and realignments including related adjustments to parks facilities and utilities will be borne by the Toronto Transit Commission, as will costs related to the streetcar line construction.

Recommendations:

1.That approval be given to widen and realign the pavements on Queens Quay West and Bathurst Street, described as follows:

a) "The widening and realignment of the pavement on the south side of QUEENS QUAY WEST, from a width varying from 20.5 metres to 14.0 metres to a width varying from 20.5metres to 22.0 metres (including track allowance) between Lower Portland Street and Bathurst Street as shown on the attached print of TTC Drawing No. R7-3-G-1A dated March 15, 1999"; and

b)"The widening and realignment of the pavement on both sides of BATHURST STREET, from a width varying from 19.6 metres to 20 metres to a width varying from 20.0 to 23.0metres (including track allowance) between Queens Quay West and a point approximately 120 metres north of Lake Shore Boulevard West as shown on the attached prints of TTC Drawing Nos. R7-3-G-1A and R7-3-G-1B dated March15, 1999."

2.That the appropriate City Officials be requested to take whatever action is necessary to give effect thereto including the introduction in Council of any Bills that are required.

Comments:

The Waterfront West Light Rail Transit project westerly to Exhibition Place received Environmental Assessment (EA) approval from the Ministry of Environment and Energy in August 1995. The approved project contemplated the line on Queens Quay West to Lower Portland Street, then northerly to Lake Shore Boulevard West. TTC staff are securing an amendment to the EA approval to allow the line to extend westerly on Queens Quay West as far as Bathurst Street, before heading north to the existing tracks on Fleet Street. It is anticipated that a report from the Toronto Transit Commission on the amendment will be before your Committee at its March 31,1999 meeting and considered by City Council at its meeting scheduled for April 13, 14 and 15, 1999.

Construction of the extension is scheduled by the TTC to commence in the Spring of this year. The installation of the track bed involves a number of changes to the pavement alignments on portions of Queens Quay West and Bathurst Street and it is now in order to secure approval of the widenings as described in Recommendation No. (1) above to accommodate the transit work.

The widening of the pavements on Queens Quay West and Bathurst Street constitute alterations to a public highway pursuant to the provisions of the Municipal Act. This matter is being reported to your Committee at this time in order that the statutory requirements set out in the Act (advertising Council's intent to enact the by-law, public deputation hearing) can commence in the early Spring to permit final approval and construction commencement in accordance with the TTC's current schedule. Any required modifications or issues arising out of the detailed design or public consultation processes as well as associated changes to traffic and parking regulations can be reported to a subsequent meeting of the Toronto Community Council, Urban Environment and Development Committee or City Council, if required.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Mr. John Niedra, Manager

Infrastructure Assets Management and Programming

Transportation Services Division (392-5348)

David C. Kaufman

General Manager

Transportation Services Division

Barry H. Gutteridge

Commissioner

Works and Emergency Services

JN/ah

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