June 24, 1999

To:Works Committee

From:Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services

Subject:Proposed Exit Driveway From 2100 Lawrence Avenue East

Scarborough Wexford: Councillors Norm Kelly and Mike Tzekas

Purpose:

To report on the terms of access permit issuance as it relates to access restrictions from a new exit driveway to serve 2100 Lawrence Avenue East, immediately west of the traffic control signals on Lawrence Avenue at Crockford Boulevard.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

The owners of the property at 2100 Lawrence Avenue East, 1282411 Ontario Limited, are responsible for all costs associated with driveway construction and sign installation under the terms of issuance of their access permit.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the south left-turn movement from the driveway on the north side of Lawrence Avenue, on the north side of Lawrence Avenue, approximately 15 metres west of Crockford Boulevard, be prohibited at all times, as identified in Appendix 1 of this report;

(2)the eastbound left-turn movement into the driveway on the north side of Lawrence Avenue, approximately 15 metres west of Crockford Boulevard, be prohibited at all times, as identified in Appendix 1 of this report;

(3)the westbound right-turn movement into the driveway on the north side of Lawrence Avenue, approximately 15 metres west of Crockford Boulevard, be prohibited at all times, as identified in Appendix 1 of this report;

(4)all costs associated with construction of the driveway and signing the southbound, eastbound and westbound turn prohibitions at the driveway be borne by the owners of the property serviced by the driveway, namely 1282411 Ontario Limited; and

(5)the appropriate by-law be amended accordingly.

Council Reference/Background/History:

As a condition of access permit issuance, the owners have agreed to the imposition of a southbound and eastbound left-turn prohibition, and a westbound right-turn prohibition, all in effect at all times, at their new driveway on Lawrence Avenue just west of Crockford Boulevard at their cost. The estimated cost of the signage is $2,200.00.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

1282411 Ontario Limited applied for a permit to construct a new driveway to provide right-turn exit manoeuvres from their property on the north west corner of Lawrence Avenue and Ellington Drive. The business in question (Trusty Car Rental) presently has full movement access onto Ellington Drive and they wish to improve their access to exit on to Lawrence Avenue and proceed westerly. Staff reviewed two options: one to provide a driveway within the signalized intersection of Lawrence Avenue and Crockford Boulevard (which would be controlled by the traffic signal operation); and the other to provide a right-turn exit driveway just west of Crockford Boulevard.

Staff does not support adding a north leg to the existing signalized intersection of Lawrence Avenue and Crockford Boulevard because it would add further complication to an already awkward signal operation, and would also conflict with left-turn movements at Ellington Drive immediately to the east of the traffic signals. Furthermore, the cost of incorporating a new driveway into the traffic signal control would be significantly higher than the second option, and an unnecessary cost considering the second option can provide adequate service from the site to suit the business.

The proposed exit driveway will be designed and constructed so as to operate as a right-turn only exit driveway, and should operate efficiently and safely. Left-turn manoeuvres into or out of a driveway at this location, within such close proximity to the traffic control signals, would create a high collision potential and should be prohibited by by-law and signed for the safety of the general public. Westbound right-turn access into the site is conveniently and safely provided via Ellington Drive and should not be permitted at the new driveway on Lawrence Avenue, so a by-law and signage should be in place to convey this prohibition as well.

The Ward Councillors have been advised of this matter and Councillor Kelly is unavailable for comment and Councillor Tzekas supports the staff recommendation.

Conclusions:

As a condition of access permit approval, and in order to protect public safety, the property owners at 2100 Lawrence Avenue East have agreed to the following turn prohibitions at their new proposed exit driveway on the north side of Lawrence Avenue approximately 15 metres west of Crockford Boulevard: southbound and eastbound left-turn prohibitions; westbound right-turn prohibition; all in effect at all times.

Contact Name:

Peter K. Hillier

Manager, Traffic Operations, District 4

Telephone: 396-7148

David C. Kaufman

General Manager, Transportation Services

Barry H. Gutteridge

Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services

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