Bloor Street Reconstruction – Avenue Road to Spadina Avenue

Permanent Cycle Tracks

The Bloor Street Bike Lane Pilot Project was approved by City Council in May 2016 and were made permanent in 2017. The existing cycle tracks will be raised on both sides, similar to the Bloor Street West section just east of Lippincott Street implemented in 2019.

Design features of the permanent cycle track:

• Barrier curb between vehicle curb lane/parking lane and raised cycle track, where feasible, on the north side of Bloor Street
• Bevelled (rolled) curb between cycle track and sidewalk to provide separation while still allowing access across the cycle track for people using mobility devices
• Precast concrete medians at the ends of parking sections.

The construction of cycle tracks between Spadina Avenue and Avenue Road is the continuation of cycling infrastructure improvements started on Bloor Street West in 2019.

Sidewalk Replacement & Accessibility Upgrades

Sections of sidewalk of Bloor Street West will be replaced in areas where needed.

Transit stops at Madison Avenue and Bedford Road will be upgraded to accommodate the new cycle track and meet current standards for accessibility. Existing bus stops will be replaced with 30 metre-long raised platforms where buses will pull up alongside the cycle track. People cycling will yield to people boarding and exiting buses.

The planned improvements will require some changes to street parking:

• Reduction of parking spots to accommodate longer bus stop platforms
• East of Spadina Avenue on street parking will be moved to the south side
• East of St George Street on street parking will be moved to the south side
• East of St George Street, parking will be moved to the south side of Bloor Street

Road Reconstruction

The road from Avenue Road to Spadina Avenue will be reconstructed and resurfaced from curb to curb. This work will involve full road excavation, reconstruction and resurfacing.

Protected Intersection at Bloor Street West & St George Street

A protected intersection will be implemented at the intersection of Bloor Street West and St. George Street.

Protected intersections keep people cycling separated from motor vehicle traffic, providing a high degree of comfort and safety. Pedestrians also benefit because it shortens the crossing and the tight curb radii slows down motor vehicle traffic.

Protected intersections:

• Reduce the likelihood of high speed vehicle turns
• Improve sightlines between all road users
• Reduce the distance and time during which people cycling and walking are exposed to conflicts with vehicles.

Green Infrastructure Enhancements

As part of the planned road work the City will

• Enlarge existing tree pit openings to improve overall health of trees by increasing oxygen, water filtration and biological activity.
• Replace existing non-porous paving between trees with permeable pavers to provide passive irrigation via rain runoff within the tree root zones.
• Upgrade existing small precast planters with slightly larger ones to increase soil volume of each tree.
• Construct bioretention planters on the north side of Bloor St West in front of Exhibit Condo and at TTC platform locations at St George Street and Madison Avenue
• Bioretention planters also provide traffic calming, increases planting biodiversity and aesthetic benefits.
• Install permeable asphalt at key TTC platform locations that will allow stormwater to filter into the ground, reducing the volume and speed of runoff into the City’s storm sewer system.
• Permeable asphalt is also beneficial at TTC platforms with utility and grading challenges.