U-Turn Prohibition on Milner Avenue at Progress Avenue
Ward 18 - Scarborough Malvern
The Scarborough Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report
(March 11, 1999) from the Director of Transportation Services, District 4:
Purpose:
To investigate the need for a U-turn prohibition eastbound on Milner Avenue at Progress
Avenue.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
The $150.00 (approximate) funds associated with the installation of a No U-Turn sign are
available in the Transportation Services 1999 budget estimates, Account No. 100-TP10226.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)the No U-Turn prohibition identified in Appendix 1 of this report be adopted; and
(2)the appropriate by-law be amended accordingly.
Council Reference/Background/History:
At the request of the property management for the townhouse complex on the northwest
corner of Milner Avenue and Progress Avenue, Transportation Services investigated the
U-turns occurring in the vicinity of the intersection of Milner Avenue and Progress Avenue.
Specifically, the U-turns occurring eastbound to westbound on Milner Avenue at Progress
Avenue were the main concern.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
The signalized intersection of Milner Avenue and Progress Avenue is located south of
SheppardAvenue and east of Markham Road. The intersections immediately west of
ProgressAvenue, Milner Business Court and Parkborough Boulevard, are limited to
right-in,right-out traffic movements because of a continuous centre island on Milner Avenue
between MarkhamRoad and Progress Avenue. Residential properties exist north of Milner
Avenue, while office buildings are on the south side.
In response to the inquiry, staff studied U-turn activity on all approaches to the intersection.
Our studies revealed that U-turns are occurring around each of the islands on the four
approaches throughout the day, with the highest number occurring during the mid-day period.
This is because heavy traffic volumes preclude many of the movements during the peak
periods, while the lower volumes of the mid-day period provide motorists with more gaps to
perform the U-turns. During our study, these movements were performed without conflict.
A review of the collision history from January 1, 1992 to May 31, 1998, reveals that one
U-turn collision has occurred at this intersection, which involved an eastbound to westbound
U-turn manoeuvre.
The majority of motorists performing these movements, particularly the U-turns east and
south of the intersection, are generated by the office building on the southwest corner of
Milner Avenue and Progress Avenue. Motorists are dropping-off and picking-up employees at
this building, as well as children at a day care provided on the main floor of this building. The
U-turns on the west and north legs of the intersection appear to be motorists exiting from
businesses on Milner Business Court and originating from northbound on Markham Road.
Motorists from Milner Business Court are provided with guide signs, indicating the route to
westbound Milner Avenue. It appears that some of these movements are also performed by
motorists who exit from westbound Highway 401 and are unable to merge over to the left-turn
lane to proceed west on Milner Avenue, due to the short distance to weave to the left lane.
Despite the fact that no conflicts were observed, the number of U-turn movements taking
place at this intersection are a cause of concern. Keeping in mind that restricting all U-turn
movements at all locations where they are currently being performed would likely result in
motorists finding other possibly less desirable alternatives or ignoring the signs completely,
we are recommending the prohibition of the eastbound to westbound U-turn on Milner
Avenue within the intersection at Progress Avenue. Due to the narrower width of road at this
point and damage to the boulevard grass, we consider this location to have the most potential
for hazardous conflicts.
Conclusions:
As a result of our review, staff recommend an eastbound to westbound U-turn prohibition on
MilnerAvenue at Progress Avenue.
Contact Name:
Bruce Clayton
Supervisor, Traffic Engineering, Works and Emergency Services
Telephone: 396-7844
Fax: 396-5681
E-mail: clayton@city.scarborough.on.ca
Appendix 1
"Prohibited Turns"
Regulation to be Enacted
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4
Intersection orTurnsTimes or
Portion of HighwayDirectionProhibitedDays
Milner Avenue atEastboundU-TurnsAnytime
Progress Avenue