February 25, 2000

To: East York Community Council

From: Director, Transportation Services District 1

Subject: Proposed Turn Prohibitions

Laird Drive and Vanderhoof Avenue

(East York)

Purpose:

To report on turn prohibitions proposed to be implemented in conjunction with the installation of traffic control signals at the intersection of Laird Drive and Vanderhoof Avenue.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

The costs associated with the installation of signs enacting the proposed turn prohibitions is estimated to be approximately $600.00 and is contained within the Transportation Services Division 2000 Operating Budget interim appropriations.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) eastbound left and through movements and westbound through movements be prohibited at all times at the intersection of Laird Drive and Vanderhoof Avenue in conjunction with the installation of the previously approved traffic control signals; and,

(2)the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Background:

City Council, at its meeting of October 26, 1999, approved the installation of traffic control signals at the intersection of Laird Drive and Vanderhoof Avenue (Clause No. 17 of Report No. 4 of the Works Committee). Subsequently, residents of Vanderhoof Avenue expressed concern at a public meeting that the traffic control signals would increase traffic infiltration through the neighbourhood. This report proposes selected turn prohibitions to mitigate the residents' concerns.

Comments:

Laird Drive is a four-lane arterial road that divides the Leaside industrial area and South Leaside residential community. Laird Drive carries approximately 20,000 vehicles per day. The installation of traffic control signals will assist motorists in accessing Laird Drive southbound from the Leaside industrial area as well as assist pedestrians in crossing Laird Drive.

Some local residents have expressed a concern that the traffic control signals will make it more attractive for motorists travelling though the Leaside industrial area to use Vanderhoof Avenue and local streets in South Leaside as an alternative to Laird Drive. Also, some residents fear that the traffic control signals will attract South Leaside residents to Vanderhoof Avenue away from the collector roads in South Leaside such as McRae Drive in order to access Laird Drive or the Leaside industrial area.

In order to mitigate these concerns, eastbound left and through traffic movements, as well as the westbound through traffic movement could be prohibited at all times in conjunction with the installation of the traffic control signals. The following table outlines the current 8-hour traffic volumes for the above-noted movements:

Selected Traffic Volumes

Laird Drive and Vanderhoof Avenue

The above table indicates that the proposed turn prohibitions would displace a very small amount of vehicles that currently make these turns. The traffic control signals are intended to primarily assist the approximately 500 westbound left turning motorists (8 hrs.) who are currently delayed accessing Laird Drive as well as providing a protected crossing device for pedestrians crossing Laird Drive.

Conclusions:

In order to mitigate residents' concerns that the installation of traffic control signals at the intersection of Laird Drive and Vanderhoof Avenue will increase traffic infiltration, eastbound left and through traffic movements as well as westbound through traffic movements could be prohibited at all times with minimal impact to existing traffic movements. The prohibitions will ensure that Vanderhoof Avenue is not used as a by-pass to Laird Drive while still allowing Leaside industrial area traffic to access Laird Drive and pedestrians to safely cross the street.

Contact:

Peter Bartos P.Eng.

Manager, Traffic Operations District 1 - East

Tel. 392-1799 Fax. 392-0816

Pbartos@toronto.ca

Director

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