January 27, 2000
To: North York Community Council
From: Roberto Stopnicki, Director, Transportation Services, District 3
Subject: Neighbourhood Traffic Management Plan: Harrison Road Heathcote Avenue to York Mills Road
(North York Centre South)
Purpose:
To install traffic calming measures (speed humps) on Harrison Road between Heathcote Avenue and York Mills Road.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
All costs associated with the implementation of the Neighbourhood Traffic Management Plan are included within the
Divisions' operating budget.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) the traffic management plan described in this report be approved; and
(2) By-law No. 31878, of the former City of North York be amended to install a 40 km/h speed zone on Harrison Road,
from Heathcote Avenue to York Mills Road.
Background:
In 1997, the Transportation Department for the former City of North York was requested to address local residents
concerns for the rate of speed of motor vehicles on Harrison Road between Heathcote Avenue and York Mills Road. As a
result of that investigation it was determined that vehicles were travelling at speeds in excess of 15 km/h over the speed
limit.
Despite requests to the Metropolitan Toronto Police for enforcement, motorists continue to travel at speeds that were
unacceptable for the roadway.
With the results of the investigation, Transportation staff was directed to meet with representatives of the community to
consider non-traditional measures to address the residents concerns. In accordance with the former City of North York
policy on traffic calming, staff met with representatives of the community to develop a working plan.
The working plan, which was adopted by Council for the former City of North York on
October 6, 1997, included a traffic circle at the intersection of Harrison Road and Heathcote Avenue, a chicane and pinch
points. The results were the narrowing of Harrison Road at two locations, from a width of 8.5 metres to 6.0 metres.
The temporary traffic calming measures were installed by using planters, concrete curb stones and pavement markings.
Throughout the process, minor modifications were made. At the request of the local residents, the turning circle at the
Harrison Road/Heathcote Avenue intersection was removed prior to the completion of the review process.
Members of the working group also identified traffic operational concerns at the intersection of Harrison Road and
Colvestone Road. The intersection was reconstructed in 1998.
Notwithstanding the reduction of vehicle operating speeds, local residents did not support the permanent installation of the
traffic calming measures. As a result and in response to a questionnaire mailed to the affected residents, the planters, curb
stones and pavement markings were removed in 1998.
Comments:
Since the removal of the temporary traffic calming measures the Transportation Services Division has received complaints
regarding vehicle operating speeds.
Conclusions:
Staff have confirmed the concerns of local residents, that vehicles continue to travel at speeds in excess of the 50 km/h
speed limit. Consequently, Councillor Joanne Flint forwarded a questionnaire to the local residents canvassing their
comments for the installation of speed humps on Harrison Road. The results of the questionnaire indicated that 66% of the
respondents supported the installation of two speed humps in the vicinity of 15 and 21 Harrison Road.
With the support of the majority of the affected residents and the positive effects speeds humps have on reducing vehicle
operating speeds, the permanent installation of the traffic calming measures (speed humps) will have a positive impact on
traffic operations.
Contact:
Allen Pinkerton
Manager, Traffic Operations, District 3
Telephone: 395-7463
Facsimile: 395-7482
E-mail: ajpinker@toronto.ca
Roberto Stopnicki
Director
AJP/bcb
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List of Attachments:
Attachment 1: Map - Harrison Road between Heathcote Avenue and Yor k Mills Road, Neighbourhood Traffic
Management Plan
