STAFF REPORT
November 15, 1999
To: Works Committee
From: Barry H. Gutteridge, Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services
Subject: Proposed Installation of Traffic Control Signals: Flint Road at Alness Street
(North York Spadina)
Purpose:
To obtain approval for the installation of traffic control signals on Alness Street at Flint Road.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
The initial costs associated with the installation and maintenance of the traffic control signals, estimated at $87,000.00, will
be covered by the Milestone Group. The estimated cost of the traffic control signals includes $62,000.00 for the installation
and $25,000.00 for future maintenance.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) once the appropriate funds have been received from the Milestone Group, traffic control signals be installed at the
intersection of Alness Street and Flint Road;
(2) when the installation of traffic control signals at this location is processed through the capital budget, 50% of the cost
for the traffic control signal installation ($43,500.00) be reimbursed to the Milestone Group; and
(3) the appropriate by-law(s) be amended accordingly.
Background:
The Milestone Group has submitted a proposal to further develop the property located at 1300 Flint Road. The proposed
development of 67123 m2 GFA will generate a substantial volume of heavy truck traffic, which is primarily destined for
Steeles Avenue West.
Staff of the Transportation and Technical Services Divisions of the Works and Emergency Services Department, have
determined that to accommodate the proposed development of the site, infrastructure improvements are necessary.
The combination of existing vehicular and pedestrian traffic volumes at the Alness Street and Flint Road intersection
would satisfy the technical warrants for the installation of traffic control signals. However, the intersection is operating
without incidents and as a result, has not yet been placed on the list of intersections requiring traffic control signals.
A Traffic Impact Study, prepared for the Milestone Group by Marshall Macklin Monaghan, has concluded that, given the
overall traffic volume increases anticipated from this development, the intersection of Alness Street and Flint Road will
have to operate under traffic signal control.
Comments:
Alness Street is a two-lane collector roadway which provides travel between Finch Avenue West and Steeles Avenue West.
There are traffic signal controls along Alness Street at Finch Avenue West, Martin Ross Avenue, Supertest Road and
Steeles Avenue West. The principal land users in the vicinity of Alness Street are commercial and industrial. Flint Road
terminates at Alness Street.
The adjacent traffic control signals on Alness Street are located 360 metres to the north at Steeles Avenue West and 670
metres to the south at Supertest Road. This spacing between traffic control signal locations is suitable to maintain traffic
flow on Alness Street.
Notwithstanding that the signal installation at this intersection would be warranted, the length of time that it takes to get
approval for such an installation is, at times, considerable given the long list of candidate locations and the limited budget
for this purpose. To avoid delays in the development of the land, which would be related principally to the lack of traffic
control signals, the applicant has proposed to pay for the prompt installation of the signals and has agreed to a
reimbursement of 50% when the signals receive formal approval through the capital budget process. This would result in a
50% savings to the City for the installation of the subject signals.
Where appropriate, the Transportation Services Division undertakes the installation of Audible Pedestrian Signals (APS),
to aid the visually impaired in their crossing of the roadway. The installation of APS at a new traffic control signal can be
easily accomodated at an approximate cost of $10,000.00. This represents approximately 50% of the average cost for a
retrofit installation.
This intersection has been identified as a location frequented by a visually impaired person and should be considered for
the initial installation.
The Milestone Group has been advised that, once approval has been granted and the funds in the form of a certified cheque
payable to the City of Toronto have been received, the required road alterations, at no cost to the City, would be made and
the traffic control signals would be installed.
Conclusions:
Traffic control signals at Alness Street and Flint Road are technically warranted and their installation would be subject to a
financing agreement with the Milestone Group. The installation of the traffic control signals will enhance motorist and
pedestrian safety in the area.
Contact:
Allen Pinkerton
Manager, Traffic Operations, District 3
Transportation Services Division
Telephone: (416) 395-7463
Facsimile: (416) 395-7482
Email: ajpinkerton@city.north-york.on.ca
David C. Kaufman
General Manager, Transportation Services
Barry H. Gutteridge
Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services
AJP/bcb
C:\in\it022
List of Attachments:
Attachment No.1 Map: Flint Road at Alness Street
