STAFF REPORT

December 20, 1999

To: Works Committee

From: Barry H. Gutteridge, Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services

Subject: Through Traffic Restriction: Lawrence Avenue West at Kimbark Boulevard and Grey Road

(North York Centre South)

Purpose:

To prohibit southbound through traffic movements from Grey Road to Kimbark Boulevard.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

All costs associated with the installation of the traffic control signs are included within the Transportation Division's Operating Budget interim appropriation.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) a southbound through traffic restriction be introduced on Lawrence Avenue West at Kimbark Boulevard/ Grey Road between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., Monday to Friday; and

(2) the appropriate by-law(s) be amended accordingly.

Background

This Division has reviewed a request from Toronto Police Services, 53 Division, regarding the feasibility of installing a southbound through traffic restriction at the intersection of Lawrence Avenue West and Kimbark Boulevard/Grey Road.

The above request is a result of many complaints from the residential community that motorists of a transient nature are travelling from Grey Road crossing Lawrence Avenue West onto Kimbark Boulevard in order to gain access to Avenue Road, south of Lawrence Avenue West.

Comments:

A site investigation conducted by staff has indicated that the appropriate signs, to prohibit eastbound and westbound right turns, are posted and clearly visible to approaching motorists.

An examination of our records has indicated that the existing restrictions were approved by the former Metropolitan Toronto Council in 1996. It was determined at that time that the intersections of Grey Road and Lawrence Avenue West and Kimbark Boulevard and Lawrence Avenue West were separate intersections. Therefore, restricting southbound through movements was not deemed necessary.

The above amendments were part of a request from the former City of North York to remove the "No Entry" signage at various locations along Lawrence Avenue West from Dufferin Street to Avenue Road. The No Entry signs were installed by the former City of North York in 1972, in an effort to deter transient traffic from filtering through the local community south of Lawrence Avenue West, during the peak periods. Through the adoption of City of North York By-laws, a series of northbound one-way roadways accessing Lawrence Avenue West from the south were created.

Notwithstanding the above efforts by the former City of North York and Metropolitan Toronto Transportation Departments, the present conditions still pose a concern for the residents of the area and the Toronto Police Services, 53 Division.

Conclusions:

The introduction of a southbound through restriction at the intersection of Lawrence Avenue West at Grey Road /Kimbark Boulevard, as requested by the Toronto Police Services, will improve their ability to enforce the restriction of traffic through the residential community.

Contact:

Allen Pinkerton

Manager, Traffic Operations, District 3

Telephone: 395-7463

Facsimile: 395-7482

E-mail: ajpinker@toronto.ca

David C. Kaufman

General Manager, Transportation Services

Barry H. Gutteridge

Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services

RM/bcb

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List of Attachments:

Attachment 1: Map - Lawrence Avenue West at Kimbark Boulevard/Grey Road

Proposed No Through Traffic Prohibition