Avenue Road Study

The Avenue Road Study identified opportunities to improve safety, mobility, and streetscape to better serve all road users on the street segment between Bloor Street West and St. Clair Avenue West.

In summer and fall 2024, safety improvements were installed between Bloor Street West and Dupont Street Recommendations on the long-term vision for Avenue Road and near-term plan for the segment between Dupont Street and St. Clair Avenue West are anticipated to be made to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee at a future meeting.

Common Questions

Monitoring

Staff are monitoring travel patterns and traffic behaviours on Avenue Road and surrounding neighbourhood streets. Findings from monitoring are anticipated to be shared in an update report one-year following installation. City Council has requested that staff conduct traffic counts and observations on local streets, identify and recommend actions to mitigate neighbourhood traffic infiltration, where appropriate, and publish data and updates on the project webpage.

Next Steps

The City continues to discuss next steps for the Avenue Road Study with the Province while also continuing to assess the impacts on the City’s transportation infrastructure.

Issues addressed by the Avenue Road Study

City Council directed staff to undertake the Avenue Road Study to identify opportunities to improve safety, mobility and streetscape to better serve all road users. The current conditions of Avenue Road:

do not provide adequate infrastructure for vulnerable road users
encourage speeding
have a history of collisions resulting in serious injury and fatality, including ten serious injuries and three deaths between 2014 and 2024
are constrained due to active construction zones that encroach on the sidewalk and roadway

The Study advances the goals of Toronto’s Vision Zero Road Safety Plan, TransformTO, Complete Streets Guidelines, and Road to Health: Healthy Toronto by Design.

Differences between the near-term actions and long-term vision in the Study

The Study is premised on the understanding that full reconstruction of Avenue Road is not scheduled in the City’s Ten-Year Capital Plan for major roadwork. Full road reconstructions typically only take place every 50 years. The study identified feasible actions that could be delivered in advance of full reconstruction, in the near-term (the next 1-5 years). Additionally, the study will identify a vision for the future of the roadway that can guide reconstruction, when it is scheduled. The use of near-term, ‘quick-build’ measures will also allow staff to observe the impact on travel times, motor vehicle speeds and overall safety and make improvements to the design where necessary.

Sidewalk widening

Sidewalk reconstruction is typically bundled with road reconstruction work for efficiency and to reduce impacts to residents. Widening sidewalks on Avenue Road would require moving the curbs and would impact the underground infrastructure and utilities. For this reason, the City would explore sidewalk widening when Avenue Road is scheduled to undergo a full reconstruction. Avenue Road is not scheduled for reconstruction within the next ten years.

The study identified near-term actions that could be implemented in the next 1-5 years to increase space, comfort and protection for pedestrians and encourage compliance with the speed limit. This includes provision of pedestrian space in the existing curb lanes where feasible.

The long-term scenarios for Avenue Road would involve widening sidewalks to meet or exceed the City standard of 2.1 metres.

Lane reductions

Avenue Road’s current road design reflects legacy standards, including narrow sidewalks widths, no designated cycling facilities and a wide roadway that encourages speeding.

The current configuration predates the Complete Streets Guidelines which aim to design streets for people, place-making and prosperity and serve many roles, functions, and users. The Avenue Road Study recommends a lane reduction from six to four, and additional turning lanes at intersections, where feasible.

Reallocating road space to other uses would improve safety conditions for all road users, specifically pedestrians and people cycling, and would encourage compliance with the regulatory speed limit. Lane reduction could be completed in advance of road reconstruction.

A feasibility assessment was undertaken to study the operational impacts of reallocating road space to accommodate complete street design elements that improve mobility options and road user safety. Network modeling and intersection testing was conducted in the study area to support the feasibility assessment and identify potential mitigation measures. Traffic studies collected between 2021 and 2023 were used as a baseline for vehicle volume modelling.

Network modeling compared the existing conditions on Avenue Road (six lanes) and Yonge Street (two lanes) and speed limit of 50 km/h against an alternative scenario for reducing the number of motor vehicle lanes on Avenue Road to four, and speed limit of 40 km/h.

Network modelling indicated:

A 30-40% reduction in the volume of motor vehicles on Avenue Road between St. Clair Avenue West and Bloor Street West
An increased motor vehicle travel time of approximately 1 minute during peak hours on Avenue Road between St. Clair Avenue West and Bloor Street West
The greatest impact on Avenue Road would occur during the peak hour in the peak direction (southbound in the morning and northbound in the evening)
A 10% increase in motor vehicle volumes on Yonge Street between St. Clair Avenue West and Bloor Street West. The rest of the volume would be distributed throughout various alternate routes
An increased motor vehicle travel time less than 1 minute on Yonge Street between St. Clair Avenue West and Bloor Street West

Intersection testing was completed using the Synchro modelling software. This allowed Transportation Services to understand block-by-block operational needs and constraints along the length of Avenue Road and inform designs that aim to reduce traffic infiltration on local streets. Intersection testing indicated an acceptable level of service for motor vehicle traffic.

Benefits of proposed Complete Streets features

The Complete Streets Guidelines aim to design streets for people, place-making and prosperity and to serve a multitude of roles, functions and users. Complete streets elements, like those proposed and approved on Avenue Road, improve the experience for vulnerable road users like pedestrians.

Pedestrian Space: designated pedestrian facilities at road level

Increase the amount of space for pedestrians beyond the existing narrow sidewalk
Separated from motor vehicle traffic by quick-build materials like pavement markings and barriers

Cycle Tracks: bikeways that are separated from vehicle traffic by concrete curbs, planter boxes, bollards, or parked cars

Provide a safe north-south cycling connection between existing bikeways on Bloor Street West, Queen’s Park/University Avenue and Davenport Road
Create a safer and more comfortable pedestrian environment by creating a greater separation from motor vehicles

Curb Extensions: localized road narrowings for short sections where pavement width is reduced by extending the curb into the roadway

Reduce pedestrian crossing distances across streets that intersect with Avenue Road
Improve pedestrian visibility
Encourage slower vehicle turning speeds

Loading/Buffer Zones: designated space for loading and unloading activities

Provide separation between pedestrians and active motor vehicle travel lanes

Monitoring and Evaluation

Staff are developing a monitoring plan to track travel patterns and traffic behaviours on Avenue Road and surrounding neighbourhood streets. City Council requested staff to conduct traffic counts and observations on local streets, identify and recommend actions to mitigate neighbourhood traffic infiltration, where appropriate, and publish data and updates on the project webpage.

Data will be collected bi-annually to monitor travel times, turning movement counts, and multi-modal traffic speed and volume studies.
Baseline data for this monitoring was conducted in 2023 and 2024.
Traffic studies and findings will be made available on a data dashboard, posted on the project website.
Engagement with local interest groups and the public will continue throughout installation and up to 24 months post-installation.
Feedback will be collected to understand perceived impacts of corridor changes.
Engagement could help identify appropriate solutions to potential site issues.

Through the monitoring plan staff will track:

Traffic impacts and possible signal timing modifications, turn restrictions, addition of turning lanes
Identification and mitigation of possible traffic infiltration issues on local streets
Modifications for loading issues as they may arise, in consultation with business owners and property managers
Observations of pedestrian impacts

Public Consultation

Feedback gathered through the two phases of consultation and meetings with community groups, along with technical considerations and City policies and guidelines, have informed the proposed design. Key design changes based on public and community feedback include:

Addition of pedestrian space instead of new on-street parking
Addition of buffer space instead of a centre lane median, between Edmund Avenue and Cottingham Street

Study Area

The study area is Avenue Road from Bloor Street West on the south to St. Clair Avenue West on the north.

Approved Changes - Avenue Road from Bloor Street West to Davenport Road

A complete street redesign for Avenue Road from Bloor Street West to Davenport Road was implemented based on traffic analysis, corridor conditions, and public feedback to improve comfort and safety for all road users, particularly for pedestrians and people cycling. The protected cycle tracks on Avenue Road provide an alternative north-south cycling connection during expected TTC construction of a new subway station at Bloor/Yonge, and provides connections to existing bikeways on Davenport Road, Bloor Street West and Queen’s Park/University Avenue.

Key changes are summarized below.

Avenue Road – Davenport Road to Bernard Avenue

On-street cycle tracks on both sides of the street
Two motor vehicle lanes maintained in each direction (reduction from six lanes to four total lanes) with a shared northbound left-turn and through lane at the intersection of Avenue Road and Davenport Road
Removal of four on-street parking spaces on the west side of the street and five on-street parking spaces on the east side

Avenue Road – Bernard Avenue to Cumberland Street

On-street cycle tracks on both sides of the street, with unprotected bike lanes around the approved construction staging areas at 89 Avenue Road and 33-49 Avenue Road/136-148 Yorkville Avenue
Two motor vehicle lanes maintained in each direction (reduction from six lanes to four total lanes)
No change to the centre turn lane at 87 Avenue Road to accommodate southbound left-turns into the Whole Foods Market underground parking garage
Addition of one on-street parking space to existing seven spaces on the west side of the street between Bernard Avenue and Tranby Avenue
Removal of four on-street parking spaces and one loading zone on the west side of the street between Tranby Avenue and Elgin Avenue and six on-street parking spaces on the east side of the street between Webster Avenue and Elgin Avenue
Existing accessible loading zone at 111 Avenue Road shifted away from the sidewalk, with the cycle track located adjacent to the curb and an accessible platform added across the cycle track
No change to existing nine on-street parking spaces and loading zone on the west side of the street between Elgin Avenue and Lowther Avenue
New southbound TTC bus stop at 88 Avenue Road (near traffic signal adjacent to Whole Foods Market) and removal of bus stops at 96 and 38 Avenue Road
Removal of northbound TTC bus stop at 55 Avenue Road
To be implemented following the clearance of lane occupancies from construction staging areas:
- Protected cycle tracks to be installed at 89 Avenue Road and 33-49 Avenue Road
- Existing taxi stand at 103 Avenue Road to be shifted away from the sidewalk, with the cycle track relocated adjacent to the curb
- New northbound TTC bus stop at 87 Avenue Road (near traffic signal adjacent to Whole Foods Market) and removal of bus stop at 101 Avenue Road

Avenue Road – Cumberland Street to Bloor Street West

On-street cycle tracks on both sides of the street
Two motor vehicle lanes maintained in each direction (reduction from five lanes to four total lanes) with the removal of the designated southbound right-turn lane at Bloor Street West

Further Details

Installation Notice – Avenue Road from Davenport Road to Bloor Street West (July 2024)

Need assistance? While we aim to provide fully accessible content, there is no text alternative available for some of the content on this page. If you require alternate formats or need assistance understanding our maps, drawings, or any other content, please contact us at 416-392-9510 or AvenueRoadStudy@toronto.ca

Approved Changes - Avenue Road from Davenport Road to Dupont Street

The Avenue Road Study reviewed traffic data, roadway conditions and public feedback to identify near-term actions that could be implemented quickly to increase space, comfort and protection for pedestrians and reduce speeding. These near-term actions include the provision of street level pedestrian spaces in the existing curb lanes where feasible, and a new pedestrian signal at Ramsden Park (to be installed in 2025).

The street level pedestrian spaces will have accessible ramping and physical barriers to provide separation from motor vehicle lanes. The barriers will be painted by local artists.

Key changes are summarized below.

Avenue Road – Dupont Street to Chicora Avenue

Two motor vehicle lanes maintained in each direction (reduction from six lanes to four lanes) with an additional shared northbound left-turn and through lane at the intersection of Avenue Road and Dupont Street
Street level pedestrian space on the west side of the street in front of the Church of the Messiah and Avenue Road Food Bank with accessible ramping and physical barrier separation from motor vehicle lanes
Removal of two Pay and Display on-street parking spaces from the west side of Avenue Road between the Church of the Messiah and Chicora Avenue (reduction from eight spaces to six spaces) and conversion to all-day parking
Painted curb extensions and flexible bollards at Dupont Street and Chicora Avenue intersections

Avenue Road – Chicora Avenue to Pears Avenue

Two motor vehicle lanes maintained in each direction (reduction from six lanes to four lanes)
New pedestrian signal at Ramsden Park (to be installed in 2025)
Street level pedestrian space on both sides of the street with accessible ramping and physical barrier separation from motor vehicle lanes
Removal of seven Pay and Display on-street parking spaces on the west side of the street and twelve Pay and Display on-street parking spaces on the east side of the street in order to meet clearance requirements on either side of the new pedestrian signal
Painted curb extensions and flexible bollards at Pears Avenue intersection

Avenue Road – Pears Avenue to Davenport Road

Two motor vehicle lanes maintained in each direction (reduction from six lanes to four lanes) with an additional dedicated southbound right-turn lane at Davenport Road
Addition of four full-time Pay and Display on-street parking spaces on the west side of the street near Pears Avenue (increase from three spaces to seven spaces) and conversion to all-day parking
Formalized loading zone at 189 Avenue Road
Addition of one full-time Pay and Display on-street parking space to the east side of the street (increase from four spaces to five spaces) and conversion to all-day parking

Further Details

Installation Notice – Avenue Road from Dupont Street to Davenport Road (September 2024)

Proposed Actions - Avenue Road from Dupont Street to St. Clair Avenue West

A final Avenue Road Study report will be presented at a future Infrastructure and Environment Committee meeting to provide recommendations on the long-term vision for Avenue Road, including the segment between Dupont Street and St. Clair Avenue West. A range of options are being considered to improve safety, mobility choices and streetscape.

Review background material and section-by-section maps with detailed information about initial proposed actions:

Public Drop-in Display Materials (October 2023)
Detailed Maps of Proposed Actions (October 2023):

All proposed improvements were assessed through an evaluation process that considered the extent to which each solution addresses safety concerns, advances the City’s goals and policies, impacts the neighbourhood and the road network, as well as availability of resources.

Public Consultation

Phase Two consultation took place in fall 2023 and invited feedback on the potential near-term actions and long-term vision for Avenue Road.

Phase One consultation took place in spring 2022 to verify concerns and priorities previously raised for Avenue Road from St. Clair Avenue West to Bloor Street West, and to identify concerns and priorities not previously captured.

Phase One Public Consultation Report

Background

City Council approved, with amendments, the installation of road safety improvements on Avenue Road between Bloor Street West and Dupont Street. You can review the staff reports and final decisions below:

Item – 2024.IE14.4 Cycling Network Plan – 2024 Cycling Infrastructure and Missing Sidewalk Installation – Third Quarter Update (Bloor Street West to Davenport Road)
Item – 2024.TE14.38 – Avenue Road Study – Interim Update and Proposed Site-Specific Road Safety Improvements (Davenport Road to Dupont Street)

At City Council, staff were granted delegated authority to make minor adjustments to by-laws for up to 18 months after installation. The streamlined process enables Transportation Services to make minor adjustments to respond to Councillor and public feedback or improve safety conditions without delay.

Councillors and City staff initiated the project in response to concerns from local residents about road user safety, the speed of motor vehicle traffic, lack of space for pedestrians, and lack of bikeways along Avenue Road. In 2019, City Council directed staff to undertake the Avenue Road Study to address safety and mobility concerns. (Item 2019.TE5.81 ).

In 2020, City Council authorized an acceleration of new cycling projects as a pandemic response. Avenue Road between Bloor Street West and Davenport Road was considered and recommended to be implemented after a construction work zone on the east side north of Cumberland Street had been removed. In 2021, City Council included Avenue Road as a corridor under study for bikeways in the 2022-2024 Cycling Network Plan .

Previous Council motions related to this study include:

Project Mailing List

If you are interested in being notified of project milestones and public consultation opportunities, sign up for the email list by contacting AvenueRoadStudy@toronto.ca.