The City of Toronto is planning state-of-good-repair work on Millwood Road, Pape Avenue and Donlands Avenue due to the poor condition of the roads. This project is part of the Council-approved 2024 Capital Works Program to renew aging City roads and sidewalk for current and future needs.

As part of the upcoming work, the City will be making improvements to increase safety and connectivity for all road users. Planned changes include:

  • New separated cycle tracks on Millwood Road (Leaside Bridge) south of Overlea Boulevard;
  • New intersection design at Pape Avenue and Donlands Avenue including new pedestrian crossings, new/upgraded bikeways, wider sidewalks and relocated bus stops;
  • Changes to the design of several intersections along Pape Avenue
  • Road resurfacing on Pape Avenue from O’Connor Drive to south of Hopedale Avenue

February 2024

Map of Construction area. Please contact Mark De Miglio at 416 395 7178 or millwood@toronto.ca for more information.

Map of the work area along Millwood Road, Pape Avenue and Donlands Avenue.

Schedule

Work is anticipated to begin in April 2024 and is expected to be complete by December 2024. Construction phasing and timelines will be provided through a Construction Notice, two weeks before work begins.

Work Hours

Work will take place from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday to Friday, with work after hours and on weekends as required. Excavation activities and heavy breaking of concrete will be carried out at various times throughout the day. All concrete breaking activities will occur between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.

Accessibility Accommodation

The City’s contractor must ensure safe and accessible walkways and entryways are maintained for everyone during construction. Any temporary access disruptions will be communicated as soon as possible. If you experience a disruption, have a specific access need or related accommodation request, contact the person listed on this web page.

Pedestrian Access

Pedestrian access will always be maintained. Temporary pedestrian detours may be required.

Travel Impacts

Efforts will be made to manage traffic in the area for the safety of workers, motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. People driving and cycling should expect delays and increased traffic on nearby major streets.

Leaside Bridge

On the Leaside Bridge, south of Overlea Boulevard, the following changes have been approved by City Council:

  • Reduce vehicle lanes from six to five
  • Reduce vehicle lane widths to support lower operating speeds and match the proposed reduction in speed limit to 40 km/h
  • Convert the east side bike lane to a one-way northbound cycle track and widened (painted) sidewalk, while exploring opportunities to accelerate the construction of a widened sidewalk through Metrolinx’s Ontario Line construction
  • Convert the westside bike lane to a one-way southbound cycle track, which will be converted to a two-way cycle track when the Overlea Boulevard cycle tracks are completed by Metrolinx.

Interim changes will be installed as part of the City’s 2024 construction work. Future changes will be installed by Metrolinx.

Today

Cross-section of the existing conditions on the Leaside Bridge.
Cross-section of the Leaside Bridge today, looking north.

Approved Changes for Initial Installation in 2024

The approved interim changes on the Leaside Bridge include a one-way bikeway on the west side, five motor vehicle lanes and one-way northbound bikeway and a painted sidewalk on the east side.
Cross-section of the approved initial installation on the Leaside Bridge, looking north.

Approved Changes for Final Installation (when Overlea Boulevard eastbound cycle tracks being constructed by Metrolinx open)

The approved interim changes on the Leaside Bridge includes a two-way bikeway on the west side, five motor vehicle lanes and one-way northbound bikeway and a painted sidewalk on the east side
Cross-section of the approved final installation on the Leaside Bridge, looking north.

Pape Avenue & Donlands Avenue Intersection

At the Pape Avenue & Donlands Avenue intersection, the following changes have been approved by City Council and will be implemented as part of the 2024 construction:

  • Improved connectivity and safety for all road users with widened sidewalks, new pedestrian crossings
  • Upgraded bikeways and protected intersection elements
  • Relocated bus stops for safer crossings and more comfortable transit waiting
  • New trees and native plantings
  • Removal of nine off-peak parking spaces on Donlands Avenue and one permit parking space on Chilton Road
  • Accommodation of all turns of large vehicles such as trucks, fire trucks and buses.

Today

Existing conditions at Pape Avenue & Donlands Avenue.
Aerial view of the Pape Avenue & Donlands Avenue intersection today, looking west.
Labels pointing to current issues and challenges on the aerial view of the Overlea Boulevard intersection today, looking north.
Current issues and challenges experienced at the Pape Avenue & Donlands Avenue intersection.

Approved Changes

Proposed changes at Millwood Road at Pape Avenue & Donlands Avenue, including bikeways and improved amenities for bus riders and pedestrians.
Artistic rendering of the approved changes at Pape Avenue & Donlands Avenue, looking west.
Labels pointing to areas of concern on the aerial view of the artistic rendering of the proposed design at Millwood Road at Pape Avenue & Donlands Avenue.
Details of the approved changes at the Pape Avenue & Donlands Avenue intersection.

 

Parking Impacts

To improve safety for vulnerable road users, roadway space will be reallocated to sidewalks and bikeways.

Location Permit Parking Area Available Parking Spaces Permits Issued Number of Parking Spaces to be Removed
541 to 553 Donlands Avenue 9 off-peak
Chilton Avenue, near Donlands Avenue 8F 13 4 1

 

As work with the Ontario Line subway moves forward, Metrolinx will be constructing different elements of the Millwood Road Safety Improvements project.

Overlea Boulevard Intersection

At the Overlea Boulevard intersection, the following changes will be made:

  • Widen and add sidewalks where they are missing and reduced curb radii
  • Increase length of southbound left-turn lane and westbound left-turn lanes to improve motor vehicle and transit operations
  • Add more green time to the busiest movements, like the southbound left-turn from Millwood Road onto Overlea Boulevard
  • Relocate and enhance bus stops
  • Accommodate all turns for large vehicles such as trucks, fire trucks and buses
  • Add cycle tracks and protected intersection elements
  • Further enhancements to the public realm will be explored along the frontage of Leaside Park on the east side of Millwood Road, in coordination with Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division

Today

Existing conditions at Millwood Road and Overlea Boulevard.
Aerial view of the Overlea Boulevard intersection today.

Approved Interim Changes (Construction by Metrolinx)

Aerial view of the intersection changes, including bikeways on either side of Millwood Road.
Artistic rendering of the approved interim changes by Metrolinx in 2024 at Overlea Boulevard, looking north.

Approved Final Changes (Construction by Metrolinx)

Proposed changes at Millwood Road and Overlea Boulevard, which include bikeways on both sides of Millwood Road and future connections east to Overlea Boulevard.
Artistic rendering of the approved final construction by Metrolinx at Overlea Boulevard, looking north.
Labels pointing to areas of concern on the aerial view of the artistic rendering of the proposed design at Millwood Road and Overlea Boulevard.
Details of the approved final construction by Metrolinx at Overlea Boulevard.

The design is focused on improving the southbound left-turning movement for people driving, improving pedestrian conditions by reducing crossing distances, filling the missing sidewalk gap on the west side, improving and making accessible the bus stops and connecting the bicycle lanes.

Pape Avenue & Minton Place

The City is planning to make safety improvements at the intersection of Pape Avenue and Minton Place in support of the Council-approved Vision Zero Road Safety Plan. Vision Zero Projects has been directed by Council to incorporate safety features such as these in state-of-good repair projects wherever possible. After Metrolinx has completed Ontario Line work at Minton Place and Hopedale Avenue, work at Minton Place and Pape Avenue will proceed.

The work will involve realigning and narrowing the intersection and extending the sod boulevard. The new design will bring the intersection up to current City standards and guidelines. The planned changes will address safety concerns by reducing crossing distances, improving sightlines and visibility and slowing vehicle speeds.

Planned Changes

Overhead view of the planned changes, including a new sidewalk, extended asphalt driveway, zebra crossings, new tree and mountable area and curb
Aerial view of the planned Vision Zero intersection safety improvements at Pape Avenue & Minton Place.
  • Normalize and narrow intersection by extending curbs
  • Extend sod boulevards and sidewalks. Existing driveways will be extended through the longer boulevard.
  • Tighten corner radii and add tactile plates at corners to meet accessibility standards
  • Upgrade pavement markings and add high-visibility zebra markings across Minton Place
  • There will be no impact to existing trees
Parking Impacts
Location Permit Parking Area Available Parking Spaces Permits Issued Number of Parking Spaces Removed
Minton Place, near Pape Avenue 8G 7 2 2

 

Public Consultation

Public and stakeholder consultation was carried out from January 25 to February 21, 2023.

Vision Zero Road Safety Plan

The City is undertaking safety improvements on Millwood Road as part of the planned state-of-good-repair work as part of the City’s commitment to the Vision Zero Road Safety Plan. The Plan’s goal is to eliminate traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries by making our roads safer for everyone. Separately, Metrolinx is planning roadway work at the Millwood Road and Overlea Boulevard intersection.

In the last ten years, one person was killed and three people were seriously injured travelling on Millwood Road. It was identified that some collisions could be due to:

  • poor sightlines along the roadway curves
  • missing pedestrian crosswalk at Pape Avenue and Millwood Road
  • traffic control signals are not accessible for people with low to no vision

All approved changes are focused on reducing future collisions.

Cycling Network Plan

In 2021, City Council approved the Cycling Network Plan, a comprehensive road map and work plan that outlines the City’s planned investment in our cycling network.

The plan is focused on connecting, growing and renewing Toronto’s cycling network. The Millwood Road Safety Improvements project was included in the 2022–2024 Near-Term Implementation Program, along with the future area cycling connections.

Future cycling connections just outside the project area include the City Council-approved Renewing Overlea Bridge project, Overlea Boulevard cycle tracks planned by Metrolinx, and bikeways on Laird Drive, Broadview Avenue, and Donlands Avenue being planned by the City of Toronto
Map showing future cycling connections approved and/or planned by the City of Toronto and Metrolinx.

 

Overlea Boulevard Intersection

Bus Stops

Overview of the proposed bus stop changes.
Details of the approved bus stop changes

The TTC bus stops on the west side and east side south of Overlea Boulevard will be removed and the bus stops will be moved just north and east of the intersection to cover all existing bus routes.

Crossride (Bicycle Crossing)

Community members raised safety concerns about the implementation of the proposed crossride (bicycle crossing) on the south side of the intersection, saying that pedestrians may use it, especially, as people adjust to the initial implementation.

The crossride will now be implemented as part of the Overlea Boulevard (Millwood Road to Thorncliffe Park Drive West) cycle track construction by Metrolinx at a later date. The crossrides on the north and east legs of the intersection remain unchanged from the original proposal.

A pedestrian crosswalk was also considered on the south side of the intersection, but it was ruled out because it would increase motor vehicle and bus delays.

Turning from Millwood Road to Overlea Boulevard

The left-turn lane on Millwood Road, north of Overlea Boulevard, will be lengthened to increase the number of motor vehicles that can wait to turn. More dedicated green time would be provided so that left-turning drivers have more time to clear the intersection.

Leaside Bridge

City Services

The design has been reviewed by City services that use the road (Fire, EMS, Police, Solid Waste pickup, TTC, Wheel-Trans, road maintenance and snow clearing) and they have provided feedback to ensure it provides access that meets their needs.

Cycle Tracks

The unprotected bicycle lanes will be converted to a one-way cycle track on the east side and a two-way cycle track on the west side. This arrangement is to reduce the number of required signalized crossings and, thus, reduce delay and encourage cycling.

Motor Vehicle Volumes

The number of motor vehicle lanes heading southbound on the Leaside Bridge will be reduced from three (3) lanes to two (2) lanes. Both the existing and forecasted motor vehicle volumes can be accommodated in the two (2) southbound lanes. The northbound lanes would be retained.

Safety Fence

Based on public feedback, the City has initiated the feasibility analysis for the addition of a safety fence on the bridge.

Speed Limits

Reducing speed limits, in conjunction with lane narrowing, has safety benefits for all road users, including drivers.

The connecting roads of Pape Avenue and Donlands Avenue both have speed limits of 40 km/h, and so this speed limit reduction would normalize the speed in the project area.

Studies have shown that there’s little evidence that proposed speed limit reductions will impact travel times. Learn more.

Stay Informed

Road Reconstruction and Safety Improvements on Millwood Road, Pape Avenue and Donlands Avenue

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Overlea Boulevard

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