December 23, 1999

To: Toronto Community Council

From: Director, Transportation Services, District 1

Subject: Intersection of Avenue Road and Oxton Avenue and Avenue Road, north of Oxton Avenue - Proposed westbound left turn prohibition and proposed northbound U-turn prohibition

(Midtown)

Purpose:

To improve the operational safety of the intersection of Avenue Road and Oxton Avenue by introducing a westbound left turn prohibition and to improve safety for traffic on Avenue Road, north of the intersection, by prohibiting northbound U-turns.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Funds to cover the cost of the installation of the necessary signage, in the estimated amount of $500.00, will have to be provided in the Transportation Services Division 2000 Budget request.

Recommendations:

1. That westbound left turns on Oxton Avenue at Avenue Road be prohibited at anytime;

2. That U-turns be prohibited at anytime for northbound traffic on Avenue Road, between Oxton Avenue and Chaplin Crescent; and

3. 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.

Comments:

Transportation Services' staff have received concerns from area residents in the vicinity of the intersection of Avenue Road and Oxton Avenue with respect to operational safety as some motorists are making the hazardous movements of either a westbound left turn or a northbound U-turn to get onto Avenue Road southbound from westbound Oxton Avenue.

The installation of a new configuration for the intersection of Avenue Road and Oxton Avenue, as approved by City Council at its meeting of December 14 and 15, 1999 (Clause No. 50 in Report No. 15 of the Toronto Community Council), was completed on December 17, 1999. The design was intended, amongst other things, to discourage westbound left turns. Notwithstanding, some motorists are making left turns. Observations conducted by Transportation Services' staff, as well as area residents have confirmed that this movement is hazardous and from an operational safety point of view, should not be allowed due in part to the high volume of traffic using this intersection. Therefore, west-left turns from Oxton Avenue onto Avenue Road should be prohibited at all times and in conjunction with this, northbound U-turns on Avenue Road, between Oxton Avenue and Chaplin Crescent, should also be prohibited at all times to prevent motorists from circumventing the proposed left-turn prohibition.

Contact:

Mike Harris, Supervisor of Traffic Engineering, District 1 (Central)

Telephone: (416) 392-7711

Fax: (416) 392-0816

E-mail: mharris@toronto.ca

__________________

Director

MJH/mh

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