Implementation of Various Traffic and Parking Regulations:

Waterfront Drive (Lakeshore-Queensway)

The Etobicoke Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (July 15, 1999) from the Director, Transportation Services, District 2:

Purpose:

To propose the implementation of various traffic and parking regulations on Waterfront Drive.

Funding Sources:

The funds associated with the installation of regulatory signs are contained in the Transportation Services Division's Operating Budget.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)parking be prohibited anytime on the north side of Waterfront Drive between Palace Pier Court and a point 250.0 metres west thereof;

(2)parking be prohibited on the south side of Waterfront Drive between Palace Pier Court and a point 486.0 metres west thereof;

(3)parking be prohibited on both sides of Waterfront Drive between Lake Shore Boulevard West and a point 261.0 metres south-east thereof;

(4)Waterfront Drive be designated a one-way street westbound between Palace Pier Court and a point 180.0 metres west thereof;

(5)a stop sign be erected on Waterfront Drive, east of the turning basin; and

(6)the appropriate City Officials be requested to take whatever action is necessary to give effect to the foregoing, including the introduction in Council of any bills that may be required.

Background:

Waterfront Drive is a newly constructed roadway south of Lake Shore Boulevard West between Palace Pier Court and the south approach of the intersection of Lake Shore Boulevard West and Park Lawn Road. A map of the area is Attachment No. 1.

This street was constructed as part of the Humber Bay Shores Development on the south side of Lake Shore Boulevard West between Palace Pier Court and Park Lawn Road. The road provides access to Humber Bay Park East located on the south side of Waterfront Drive.

Comments:

Waterfront Drive, between Palace Pier Court and a point 180.0 metres west thereof (to the east limit of the turning basin) was designed for a one-way street operation for westbound traffic. The width of this section of roadway is only 6.0 metres. Given this narrow width, parking must be prohibited on both sides in order not to impede the flow of traffic in this area. Also, parking must be prohibited in the turning basin in order to provide for an adequate turning radius for eastbound vehicles.

The side of the roadway that a park fronts onto is typically signed a No Parking Anytime area. This prohibition addresses the issue of pedestrians walking out from parked vehicles when exiting the park.

Parking must also be prohibited on both sides of the section of Waterfront Drive between Lake Shore Boulevard West and a point 261.0 metres south and east thereof given that the majority of this section of roadway is in a curve alignment; therefore, driver sight lines would be restricted if parking was permitted in this area. Furthermore, the turning radius for Toronto Transit Commission buses exiting the bus loop located on the west side of Waterfront Drive, south of Lake Shore Boulevard West, would be negatively affected if parking was permitted on this section of Waterfront Drive.

With respect to traffic control on Waterfront Drive and as aforementioned, the section of Waterfront Drive between Palace Pier Court and the turning basin was designed for one-way (westbound) traffic only. In order to establish right-of-way at the turning basin, a stop control should be installed on Waterfront Drive, east of the turning basin (Waterfront Drive).

Conclusions:

The introduction of the aforementioned parking prohibitions on Waterfront Drive will address the issues of pedestrian safety; and unimpeded sight lines and traffic flow.

The designation of Waterfront Drive as a one-way street westbound, between Palace Pier Court and the turning basin, is imperative given the narrow width of this roadway and in order to effectively manage traffic in the area. The introduction of a stop control at the west limit of this one-way section of roadway, east of the turning basin, will establish right-of-way at this location.

Contact Name:

Mark Hargot, Supervisor, Traffic Engineering - District 2

(416)394-8453; Fax (416)394-8942.

(A copy of Attachment No. 1, referred to in the foregoing report, was forwarded to all Members of Council with the agenda for the Etobicoke Community Council meeting on July 15, 1999, and a copy is on file in the office of the City Clerk.)