July Update: Council has approved the installation of bikeways and safety improvement to close the gap between the York Beltline and Kay Gardner Trails, including sections along Marlee Avenue, Roselawn Avenue and Elm Ridge Drive, and the Allen Greenway multi-use trail. View the staff report at IE14.4.
The project includes a safe and connected route for people cycling and pedestrians over the Allen Road Expressway closing the gap between the York Beltline Trail and Kay Gardner Beltline Trail. Additional letters and opportunities to meet with City staff will be provided to property owners and tenants with right-of-way impacts adjacent to their properties.
The project is part of the Cycling Network Plan Near-Term Implementation Program. The road safety improvements and bikeway connections will be installed at the same time as overlapping state of good repair road work. In addition to closing the gap between the existing trail network, this project will connect to the existing Marlee Avenue bikeway and future cycle tracks as part of the eglintonTOday Complete Street Project.
The project includes:
Converting the west-side sidewalk on Marlee Avenue into a raised bi-directional cycle track and a widened sidewalk (between Eglinton Avenue West and Roselawn Avenue)
Upgrading the bike lanes on Marlee Avenue to cycle tracks (between Roselawn Avenue and Castlefield Avenue)
Converting the south-side sidewalk on Roselawn Avenue and Elm Ridge Drive into a multi-use trail (between Marlee Avenue and the western limit of the bridge)
Converting the south side of the roadway into a bi-directional on-road cycle track on Elm Ridge Drive (between the western limit of the bridge to Newgate Road)
Converting the Allen Greenway sidewalk into a multi-use trail (between Elm Ridge Drive and Wembley Road)
Adding bike signals, protected intersection corner islands and curb extensions to improve safety by giving priority and reducing crossing distances for pedestrians and people cycling
Removing the westbound left turn lane on Roselawn Avenue approaching the Marlee Avenue intersection
Project Area
The project area is bounded by Marlee Avenue to the west, Eglinton Avenue West to the south, Castlefield Avenue, Roselawn Avenue and Elm Ridge Drive to the north and Newgate Road and the Allen Greenway to the east.
Why consider changes on Marlee Avenue, Roselawn Avenue, Elm Ridge Drive and the Allen Greenway?
This project is focused on closing the 475 metre gap between the York Beltline and Kay Gardner Trails and creating a continuous safe and comfortable cycling and pedestrian experience.
Further, there is programmed state of good repair work in the area, presenting a once in a generation opportunity to make significant changes. The state of good repair work includes: road reconstruction on Roselawn Avenue and Elm Ridge Drive in 2025-2026 (between Marlee Avenue and the western limit of the William R Allen Road Bridge).
In the past ten years, there have been 343 total collisions, including one pedestrian fatality in the project area. Bikeways and sidewalks are a critical piece of transportation infrastructure that improve accessibility and safety for all road users, particularly for children, seniors and those with mobility challenges.
This project supports the City’s Vision Zero Road Safety Plan and goal is to eliminate traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries by making our roads safer for everyone.
Approved Changes | Marlee Avenue
Artist’s rendering facing south on Marlee AvenueIllustration showing existing lane and sidewalk on Marlee Avenue facing southIllustration showing lane and sidewalk changes on Marlee Avenue facing south
Construct a raised bi-directional cycletrack and upgrade the existing sidewalk on the west side to meet accessibility standards between Eglinton Avenue West and Roselawn Avenue
Upgrade the bike lanes to on-road cycle tracks between Roselawn Avenue and Castlefield Avenue
Upgrade the existing sidewalk on the west side to meet accessibility standards
Add curb extensions on the west side to improve safety and visibility of pedestrians, minimize tree impacts and discourage motor vehicle speeding at local intersections including: Livingstone Avenue, Belgravia Avenue, Whitmore Avenue and Hopewell Avenue
Remove centre medians at Roselawn Avenue and Marlee Avenue intersection
Narrow motor vehicle lanes to standard widths
Loss of one parallel commercial in-boulevard parking space
Driveways on City property may be reduced in length
Potential loss of some trees/plantings on City property
New plantings will be explored, where possible
Private items on City property may be impacted once detailed design is advanced
Approved Changes | Roselawn Avenue and Elm Ridge Drive
Illustration showing existing lane and sidewalk on Roselawn Avenue and Elm Ridge Drive facing westIllustration showing lane and sidewalk changes on Roselawn Avenue and Elm Ridge Drive facing westElm Ridge Drive/ Bridge Existing (top) and Approved (bottom)
Convert the south-side sidewalk between Marlee Avenue and the western limit of the bridge into a multi-use trail
Add on-road bi-directional cycle track on the south side of the bridge to Newgate Road
Narrow motor vehicle lanes to standard widths
Remove the westbound left turn lane on Roselawn Avenue approaching the Marlee Avenue intersection
No impacts to private property
Removal of eight on-street permit parking spaces, immediately west of the bridge (no permits issued)
Allen Greenway Existing (top) and Approved (bottom)
Convert Allen Greenway sidewalk to a widened multi-use trail from Elm Ridge Drive to Wembley Road
Improve safety through enhanced signage and pavement markings
No impacts to private property
StreetARToronto will be hosting a series of community engagement sessions for a mural project along the Allen Sound Wall – Allen Greenway project in 2024-2025
As part of the Cycling Network Plan – 2024 Cycling Infrastructure and Missing Sidewalk Installation – Third Quarter Update, City Council approved the installation of new bikeways associated with the Beltline Gap Connections Project (Eglinton-Lawrence ward) on June 26 to 28.
The feasibility of a year-round cycling connection to close the gap was assessed for the York Beltline Trail Extension, but unfortunately several factors prohibit this:
The City does not own all the land west of the William R Allen Road to be able to convert the existing north-south sidewalks into a multi-use trail wide enough to accommodate people walking and cycling.
People cycling are not permitted to ride on sidewalks and are currently required to dismount when using this path.
There are structural challenges with the William R Allen Road embankment.
The City only owns the land on the surface of the future east-west park. Should access to the underground parking garage structure be required, this would temporarily prevent access to the park trail.
Due to limited coverage above the garage slab and weight restrictions, an asphalt pathway is not feasible. A limestone pathway is being proposed for the park trail extension to reduce loads and provide a shallow profile solution.
There are safety concerns for a crossing on Marlee Avenue between the existing York Beltline Trail and the future extension.
2. Why was this project being proposed now?
The project is part of the Cycling Network Plan Near-Term Implementation Program (Item 2021.IE26.9) and was initiated in response to Council direction (Item 2022.IE31.16).
Bundling with State of Good Repair work:
Road reconstruction on Hopewell Avenue in 2024-2025 (between Times Road and Marlee Avenue).
Local geometric safety improvements at Hopewell Avenue and Marlee Avenue.
Road reconstruction on Roselawn Avenue and Elm Ridge Drive in 2025-2026 (between Marlee Avenue and the western limit of the William R Allen Road Bridge).
Road resurfacing on Winona Drive 2025-2026 Eglinton Avenue W to Vaughan Road.
3. How will traffic impacts and considerations for future developments be addressed?
With the eglintonTOday Complete Street cycle tracks, LRT and Beltline Gap Connections – people in this fast-growing part of the city will have safe options and will be encouraged to use active transportation for short trips reducing some of the need for motor vehicle trips.
The westbound left turn lane at Roselawn Avenue and Marlee Avenue is proposed for removal due to space constraints.
Staff looked at a potential road widening to accommodate the westbound left-turn lane at Roselawn Avenue and Marlee Avenue:
The widening is not possible on the south side due to the garage access.
On the north side there are utilities that would require significant time and investment.
The westbound left turn volumes recorded in 2023 are relatively low and do not require a turn lane.
The left turn lane removal is being recommended to provide enough space for vulnerable road users.
The signal timing for this movement will be included in the modified signal timing to make sure the movements flow safely.
The removal of the left turn lane allows for the multi-use trail on the south side of the street and reduces the crossing distance for pedestrians and people cycling at the east segment of the Marlee intersection. This is a key tool in reducing conflicts between drivers and vulnerable road users.
We have conducted a preliminary traffic analysis of the intersection, and there may be impacts to motor vehicle traffic due to the removal of the westbound left turn lane. However, the City is looking at different options to manage the traffic impacts. Options include signal optimization and different signal phasing options.
Once construction is finished, the project is not yet complete. It takes time for people to adjust to change. The City will continue to receive and analyze feedback on the project and make adjustments as necessary.
In six months to one year, the City will:
Observe the new behaviour
Conduct new traffic counts on affected streets
Evaluate before and after conditions
If there are still operational challenges, the City will consider additional changes, such as:
Adjusting turn or through-restrictions
Adding or modifying traffic calming measures
Adding “Watch Your Speed” signs
Multi-modal volumes are measured at intersections and mid-block locations by third party vendors specializing in traffic data collection. Data is collected using videos and sensors. The vendors must complete quality control of the data through accuracy checks and testing. City staff also conduct periodic checks to ensure reliable and accurate data.
