Narrowing of Pavements on Argyle Street and

Markham Street - Garrison Creek Initiatives (Trinity-Niagara)

The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoptin of the following report (May20,1999) from the Director of Transportation Services, District 1, Works and Emergency Services:

Purpose:

To authorize the narrowing of pavements on various streets within the Garrison Creek Planning Area to improve pedestrian amenities through the creation of widened sidewalks and grass boulevards to facilitate the planting of in-ground trees.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Funds to cover the cost of the pavement narrowings have been accommodated within the Transportation Services 1999 Capital Works Programme.

Recommendations:

(1)That approval be given to narrow the pavements on Argyle Street and Markham Street as follows:

(a)"The realignment and narrowing of the pavement on Argyle Street from Ossington Avenue to Givens Street from a width of 7.32 m to a width of 6.10 m, as shown on the attached print of Drawing No. SK-2223, dated May, 1999";

(b)"The realignment and narrowing of the pavement on Markham Street from Queen Street West to Robinson Street from a width of 7.32 m to a width of 6.10 m, as shown on the attached print of Drawing No. SK-2222, dated May, 1999"; and

(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.

Background:

City Council, at its meeting held on October 1 and 2, 1998, in considering Clause No. 92 contained in Report No. 11 of the Toronto Community Council, entitled "Garrison Creek Open Space Linkage Plan (Trinity Niagara, Davenport, Downtown)", approved, among other things, a conceptual plan of civic improvements along parks, public streets, lanes and other forms of open spaces to connect park and streetscape amenities into a system that identifies the former Garrison Creek alignment.

Comments:

The Garrison Creek Working Committee comprised of members of the Garrison Creek Community Project, Urban Development Services, Works and Emergency Services and Community Services has been meeting regularly over the last year or so to develop priorities and establish a comprehensive plan of civic improvements to be implemented in the area in the short and medium term.

Transportation Services staff have reviewed the 1999 Capital Works Programme with a view to identifying planned work within the Garrison Creek Planning Area and in consultation with members of the working group and other civic staff have developed plans for enhancements to the pedestrian amenities on a number of streets by providing for widened sidewalks and/or boulevards and corresponding narrowing of the pavements to facilitate the planting of street trees. The locations set out below are scheduled for implementation this year:

Argyle Street:

Argyle Street from Ossington Avenue to Givins Street is scheduled for reconstruction under the 1999 Capital Works Programme. It functions as a local street and carries one-way eastbound traffic with a pavement width of 7.32 m. One hour parking is allowed on the north side of the street.

The proposed pavement narrowing/realignment involves the widening of the sidewalk on the north side of the street. The work, as described in Recommendation No. 1(a), above, will not adversely affect the functioning of traffic on the street nor will it affect parking or access.

Funds to cover the cost of the work, in the estimated amount of $70,000.00 have been accommodated in the Transportation Services 1999 Capital Budget authorization request for the reconstruction of pavements, sidewalks and curbs. The incremental costs of additional adjustments to transportation facilities arising from the planned pavement narrowing have been accommodated within the authorization for Traffic Calming and Bicycle Lanes.

Markham Street:

Markham Street from Queen Street West to Robinson Street is scheduled for reconstruction under the 1999 Capital Works Programme. It functions as a local street and carries one-way southbound traffic. One hour parking is allowed on the east side of the street.

The proposed pavement narrowing/realignment involves the widening of the sidewalk on the east side of the street. The work, as described in Recommendation No. 1(b), above, will not adversely affect the functioning of traffic on the street nor will it affect parking or access.

Funds to cover the cost of the work, in the estimated amount of $80,000.00 have been accommodated in the Transportation Services 1999 Capital Budget authorization request for the reconstruction of pavements, sidewalks and curbs. The incremental costs of additional adjustments to transportation facilities arising from the planned pavement narrowing have been accommodated within the authorization for Traffic Calming and Bicycle Lanes.

The narrowing of the pavements on Argyle Street and Markham Street constitutes an alteration to a public highway pursuant to the provisions of the Municipal Act.

This work is pre-approved in accordance with Schedule 'A' of the Class Environmental Assessment for Municipal Road Projects.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

John Niedra, Manager

Infrastructure Asset Management and Programming

Transportation Services Division

392-7835