STAFF REPORT
February 25, 2000
To: Works Committee
From: Barry H. Gutteridge, Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services
Subject:Designated Right Turn Lane: Lawrence Avenue East at Don Mills Road
(Don Parkway)
Purpose:
To designate a compulsory eastbound and westbound right turn lane from Lawrence Avenue East to Don Mills Road, buses
excepted.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
All costs associated with the installation of the designated right turn lanes are included in the Transportation Division's
2000 Operating interim appropriation.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)the northerly westbound curb lane on Lawrence Avenue East at Don Mills Road, be designated for right turning vehicles
only, buses excepted, between Don Mills Road and a point 30.5 metres easterly thereof;
(2)the southerly eastbound curb lane on Lawrence Avenue East at Don Mills Road, be designated for right turning vehicles
only, buses excepted, between Don Mills Road and a point 30.5 metres westerly thereof; and
(3)the appropriate by-law(s) be amended accordingly.
Background:
At the request of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), District 3 Traffic Operations has reviewed the feasibility of
designating the westbound and eastbound curb lanes at Lawrence Avenue East and Don Mills Road for right turns only,
buses excepted.
Staff of the TTC have indicated that the operators of the 54 Lawrence East buses are required to proceed through the
intersection from the nearside bus stops at this intersection, which are currently marked with pavement markings as right
turn lanes. It is their contention that the current situation is leading to confusion for their operators and motorists.
Comments:
The intersection of Lawrence Avenue East and Don Mills Road is controlled by traffic control signals. The westbound
approach to the intersection consists of four (4) westbound lanes (an exclusive left turn lane, two through lanes and a right
turn lane) with a near side transit stop. The eastbound approach is identical in configuration to the westbound approach.
The left and right turn lanes are currently marked with painted arrows to indicate to motorists the intended usage of the
lanes.
Although there are three discharge lanes, the curb lanes terminate shortly beyond the intersection. As such, these
principally serve as a merge area for northbound/southbound traffic that turn right from Don Mills Road and for the transit
vehicles that depart from the nearside transit stop locations.
Collision statistics, provided by the Toronto Police Services for the period of January 1, 1995 to December 31, 1999,
disclosed two collisions involving westbound vehicles and one collision involving eastbound through vehicles had
occurred.
Observations by staff have confirmed that motorists are confused by the lack of appropriate signing, which is absent as the
right turning movements are not currently mandatory.
Conclusions:
The designation of the curb lanes for right turns only, buses excepted , would prevent conflicts within the intersection and
would advise motorists that TTC vehicles proceed through the intersection.
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 Division
Barry H. Gutteridge,
Commissioner
JS/bcb
G:\TRA\NYtrans\DATA\INVESTIG\1999\TT22\REPORTS\3571.doc
List of Attachments:
Attachment 1:Map - Lawrence Avenue East at Don Mills Road; Lane Designation
