510 Spadina: Effects of Proposed Traffic Changes
on Adjacent Neighbourhoods (Ward 24)
The Urban Environment and Development Committee recommends that:
(1)the report (March 18, 1999) from the General Manager, Transportation Services be adopted subject to
amending Recommendation (1) by amending the times 7:00 a.m, 9:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to
read "7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m, and 4:00 p.m.", so as to read:
(1)contingent on approval of the recommendations from the Toronto Transit Commission to extend the
installation of the barriers on Spadina Avenue across all of the remaining mid-block intersections, except Baldwin
Street, the existing turn prohibitions, effective between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and 6:30
p.m., Monday to Friday and 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, at the intersections of Spadina
Avenue and Clarence Square (north leg), Camden Street, Bulwer Street, Phoebe Street, Grange Avenue, Willison
Square, Cecil Street, and Oxford Street, be extended to be in effect at all times; and
(2)the report (February 16, 1999) from the General Secretary, Toronto Transit Commission be adopted;
(1)the Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services be requested to undertake a detailed analysis of:
(1)the signalized and non-signalized intersection performance; and
(2)the impact on neighbouring streets
- a staff working group be established, led by the Chief Planner, to consider:
(a)design issues;
(b)bicycle lands;
(c)TTC needs
(d)cost requirement options
(e)what can be achieved in the short term
and that this working group report to the July 1999 meeting of the Urban Environment and Development
Committee.
The Committee reports, for the information of Council, having referred the following recommendations to the Budget
Committee for consideration during the 1999 Operating Budget process:
(1) that an appropriate amount be allocated in the 1999 Capital or Operating Budget for the design and installation of
permanent barriers on Spadina Avenue by December 1, 1999 and that, in the meantime, temporary barriers be installed on
Spadina Avenue to comply with the recommendation of the Toronto Transit Commission and that they be removed upon
the installation of the permanent barriers;
(2) that the community be invited, with regards to streetscape, to comment on the design of the barriers; and
(3) that the streetscape design barriers be prepared at the same time as the design of the lanes or edge lines for bicycles.
The Urban Environment and Development Committee submits the following report (March 18, 1999) from the
General Manager, Transportation Services:
Purpose:
To introduce full-time turn prohibitions at the mid-block intersections where additional bollards are being recommended on
Spadina Avenue.
Funding Sources:
The funds associated with the changes to the turn prohibitions, estimated at $3,000, are contained in the Transportation
Services Division 1999 Current Estimates.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)contingent on approval of the recommendations from the Toronto Transit Commission to extend the installation of the
barriers on Spadina Avenue across all of the remaining mid-block intersections, except Baldwin Street, the existing turn
prohibitions, effective between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday and
11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, at the intersections of Spadina Avenue and Clarence Square (north leg),
Camden Street, Bulwer Street, Phoebe Street, Grange Avenue, Willison Square, Cecil Street, and Oxford Street, be
extended to be in effect at all times; and
(2)the appropriate by-laws(s) be amended accordingly.
Discussion:
Committee currently has before them a report from the Toronto Transit Commission which recommends that the
installation of bollards on Spadina Avenue be extended across the remaining mid-block intersections. Staff of
Transportation Services have been involved in the development of the Toronto Transit Commission recommendations.
Closing the existing breaks in the barriers will address the continuing incidence of collisions between turning vehicles and
streetcars.
In order for the Toronto Transit Commission recommendations to be implemented it is necessary to amend the appropriate
by-laws, which currently allow turns at these locations during offpeak periods, to prohibit turns at all times.
Contact Name:
Jacqueline White
Manager, Traffic Operations
Tel. 397-5021
Fax: 392-8504
The Urban Environment and Development Committee also submits the following report (February 16, 1999) from
the General Secretary, Toronto Transit Commission:
Recommendation:
Requesting City of Toronto Council to immediately close the openings that have been left in the bollards at the
unsignalized intersections on Spadina, as detailed in Exhibit 1 of the attached report entitled "510 Spadina: Update on
Collisions," excluding the Baldwin Street intersection which was referred back to staff in order to convene a meeting with
City Transportation staff, Councillor Chow and the Community to review the following with a report back once the review
has been completed:
(1)the feasibility of installing traffic signals at the Baldwin Street and Spadina Avenue intersection;
(2)the feasibility of moving the traffic signals currently located at the Nassau Street and Spadina Avenue intersection to
Baldwin Street and Spadina Avenue; and
(3)the internal street design in the Kensington Market area as to the feasibility of adjusting one-way streets to make St.
Andrews Street the main access route to the market.
Background:
At its meeting on Wednesday, February 10, 1999, the Commission considered the attached report entitled, "510 Spadina:
Effects of Proposed Traffic Changes on Adjacent Neighbourhoods."
The Commission approved requesting City of Toronto Council to immediately close the openings that have been left in the
bollards at the unsignalized intersections on Spadina, as detailed in Exhibit 1 of the attached report entitled "510 Spadina:
Update on Collisions," excluding the Baldwin Street intersection which was referred back to staff in order to convene a
meeting with City Transportation staff, Councillor Chow and the Community to review the following with a report back
once the review has been completed:
(1)the feasibility of installing traffic signals at the Baldwin Street and Spadina Avenue intersection;
(2)the feasibility of moving the traffic signals currently located at the Nassau Street and Spadina Avenue intersection to
Baldwin Street and Spadina Avenue; and
(3)the internal street design in the Kensington Market area as to the feasibility of adjusting one-way streets to make St.
Andrews Street the main access route to the market.
The Commission also approved the following:
1.That staff request the City Transportation Department to install appropriate clear signage indicating where U-Turns are
permitted such signs to be installed at the same time as the bollards are installed.
2.That the Commission support in principle that turns be permitted only at signalized intersections, thus if new signalized
intersections are established that associated bollards would be removed.
3.That the following suggestion put forward by Councillor Chow be referred to staff for report with such report to include
a possible source of funding for this year:
-Subject to approval of design and cost for a permanent solution, that the community be consulted regarding the
streetscaping of the design of the barriers.
-Subject to the approval of cost, that the City Transportation Department undertake a detailed analysis of:
-the signalized and non-signalized intersection performance; and
-impact on neighbouring streets.
-That the streetscape design for barriers be prepared at the same time as the design of the lanes or edge lines for
bicycles.
The foregoing is forwarded to the Urban Environment and Development Committee and Toronto City Council for the
necessary approval to undertake the immediate closure of the openings that have been left in the bollards at the
unsignalized intersections on Spadina Avenue, as detailed in Exhibit 1 of the attached report entitled "510 Spadina: Update
on Collisions," with the exception of the Baldwin Street intersection which has been referred back to staff for further
analysis.
The Urban Environment and Development Committee also submits the following report (March 29, 1999) from the
Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services:
Purpose:
To inform Council of the proposed process for determining the final design and associated
streetscape treatment for the permanent barriers that are to be installed on Spadina Avenue, south
of College Street, to separate the streetcar right of-way from other traffic.
Source of Funds:
Possible funding sources for further streetscaping improvements will be reported upon later by TTC staff after having
consulted with other city staff.
Recommendation:
That this report be received for information
Background:
Over the past year TTC and other City staff have produced a number of reports regarding traffic safety concerns associated
with the question of the "510: Spadina" streetcar route and how safety matters might best be addressed. On the basis of
traffic safety, staff have determined that it is appropriate to physically restrict turning movements along Spadina Avenue,
south of College Street, to prevent other traffic from crossing the streetcar tracks and to thereby restrict all turning
movements to signalized intersections (with the exception of Baldwin Street, which is still under review). Consequently,
the extent of the barrier solution has now been determined and subject to any required traffic monitoring, it is expected that
attention can shift to the final design of the permanent barriers and associated streetscaping initiatives.
When City Council dealt with the proposed barriers on Spadina Avenue at its meeting of July 8, 9 and 10, 1998 (see clause
No. 45 contained in Report No 8 of the Toronto Community Council), it adopted, among others, the recommendation to:
"Request the TTC and appropriate City officials to consult with local residents to develop options for permanent solutions
to the traffic safety problem on Spadina Avenue, and report back to the Toronto Community Council in January 1999 on a
recommended proposal along with cost estimates and an implementation schedule."
This report provides an update on where matters stand with respect to the final design of barriers and the opportunity for
community involvement in this design process.
Comments:
In an accompanying TTC report entitled "510 Spadina: Follow-up On Commission Directives" (March 23, 1999), it is
noted that TTC staff "....will report back separately with the recommendation regarding the budget requirements and
possible funding sources for the design and construction of a permanent barrier adjacent to the streetcar right-of-way". This
report will be prepared in consultation with other City staff, including the Urban Design Section of the City Planning
Division.
Every effort will be made to design the permanent barrier in such a way as to minimize its intrusiveness on the functioning
and appearance of Spadina Avenue and to take advantage of any opportunities to enhance the streetscape. However, these
efforts will be constrained by physical and financial limitations. There are many competing demands placed on the Spadina
right-of-way which constrain the amount of space available for urban design and landscape enhancements. More room is
available in certain parts of the corridor than others but, overall, it is a tight fit and the proposal to introduce bicycle lanes
(which is currently under study) will exacerbate the situation. Also, neither the TTC nor the City have identified potential
funding sources for additional streetscape improvements, at this stage. Clearly , the scope of urban design/landscaping
initiatives will be prescribed by the funding available.
Once the physical design limitations are firmly defined and a source of funding known, TTC will consult the city staff and
community on relevant design issues. Community input will be key to achieving the best design standards for the barrier
along Spadina Avenue and ensuring the best possible fit with the existing corridor conditions. The overall urban design
intent is to create a green and pedestrian friendly environment.
Conclusion:
This report provides a brief update on the implementation of the permanent barrier that is to be installed on Spadina
Avenue, south of College Street, to separate the streetcar right-of way from other traffic. As the accompanying TTC report
(March 23, 1999) points out, staff will be reporting back on possible funding for the design and construction of the barrier.
Also, considerations of how the Spadina right-of-way is to be used, particularly as it relates to the recent proposal for
bicycles lanes, have to be resolved before final design work on the barrier can proceed. Once these physical and financial
limitations are better understood, the TTC will initiate and lead the design process in consultation with the city staff and the
community.
Contact Name:
Alka Lukatela
Program Coordinator
Civic Improvement, Urban Design
Tel: 416-392-1131
Fax: 416-392-1744
Email: alukatel@toronto.ca
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The Urban Environment and Development Committee also had TTC Report No. 11 dated February 10, 1999, appended to
the communication (February 16, 1999) from the General Manager, TTC, which was forwarded to all Members of Council
with the agenda of the Urban Environment and Development Committee for its meeting of March 31, 1999, and a copy
thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk.
