College Street Upgrades

April 2022 Update: City Council authorized the College Street Upgrades as part of the Cycling Network Plan: 2022 Cycling Infrastructure Installation – First Quarter on April 7, 2022. A copy of the staff report is available under IEC agenda item IE 28.7.

The City of Toronto has planned TTC track replacement work on College Street between Bathurst Street and Bay Street in 2022. This work provides an opportunity to rethink the existing roadway design and consider changes that will improve safety for all road users. Proposed safety improvements include upgrading the existing bike lanes on College Street with physically separated bike lanes (cycle tracks).

The project will encourage and improve safety for people cycling and walking, make the street more pleasant and improve pedestrian crossings. The design will look to include improved conditions for trees, increase bicycle parking, and support College Street as a destination to linger and visit local businesses. In some locations, TTC bus stop improvements will result in reduced vehicle parking. Construction will include improvement to the Borden Street and College Street intersection approved for installation in 2020.

 

Map of College Street study area outlining the notification boundary; North Harbord St., South Dundas St., East Yonge St., West Grace St. For further information please contact Aadila Valiallah aadila.valiallah@toronto.ca
Map of College Street Project Area

The project area is along College Avenue from Manning Street to Bay Street. Construction will include improvements to the Borden Street and College Street intersection.

Proposed Design – Manning Avenue to Spadina Avenue

  • Installation of parking protected, raised bike lanes (cycle tracks), including raised TTC platforms
  • 2 vehicle travel lanes maintained in each direction
  • Parking bays replaced with parking in curb lane would include greening opportunities where possible
  • Parking impacts would include:
    • Peak period parking restrictions to maintain traffic flow (similar to west of Manning Avenue)
    • Parking loss at new TTC stops (approximately 80% of parking spaces would be maintained)
Example of TTC bus stop on Bloor Street. Image shows TTC platform with cycle track and tactile strip. For further information please contact Aadila Valiallah aadila.valiallah@toronto.ca
Example of TTC stop on Bloor Street

Proposed Design – Spadina Avenue to Bay Street

  • Installation of physically separated (concrete curb) street-level bike lanes (cycle tracks)
  • 2 vehicle travel lanes maintained in each direction
  • No changes to parking
Example of physically separated (concrete curb) street-level bike lanes (cycle tracks) on Wellesley Street. For further information please contact Aadila Valiallah aadila.valiallah@toronto.ca
Example of physically separated (concrete curb) street-level bike lanes (cycle tracks) on Wellesley Street

Proposed Street Design between Manning Avenue and Spadina Avenue

The above illustration is of the proposed design at Manning Avenue and Spadina Avenue. It shows the cross section of the road, which from west to east is: sidewalk, with allowance for trees and hydro poles, the bike lane, a physical separation, eastbound lane for motor vehicles, eastbound streetcar lane, westbound streetcar lane, westbound lane for motor vehicles, physical separation, bike lane, sidewalk with allowance for trees and hydro poles. For more information, please contact Aadila Valiallah aadila.valiallah@toronto.ca

Proposed Street Design between Spadina Avenue and Bay Street

The above illustration is of the proposed design at Manning Avenue and Spadina Avenue. It shows the cross section of the road, which from west to east is: sidewalk, with allowance for trees and hydro poles, the bike lane, a physical separation, eastbound lane for motor vehicles, eastbound streetcar lane, westbound streetcar lane, westbound lane for motor vehicles, physical separation, bike lane, sidewalk with allowance for trees and hydro poles. For more information, please contact Aadila Valiallah aadila.valiallah@toronto.ca.

Additional details are provided in the presentation slide deck.

  • Vision Zero Road Safety Plan: Road reconstruction projects consider design changes that improve the safety of vulnerable road users. Physically separated bike lanes (cycle tracks) are recommended on College Street because of high motor vehicle volumes and collision trends. Separated bike lanes increase the safety and comfort of all people using the road and reduce collisions between people driving and cycling.
  • TransformTO: The City has an ambitious climate action strategy plan. Redesigning streets to improve safety and comfort for people cycling and walking is one way to achieve TransformTO active transportation goals.
  • Official Plan: Goal to make Toronto a “walking city”, and bring all Toronto residents within 1 km of a designated cycling route.
  • Road to Health: Healthy Toronto by Design: Increased physical activity is associated with reduced risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers.
  • Complete Streets Guidelines: Streets are for people, placemaking and prosperity. Complete streets consider all modes, prioritize safety, and balance the need to move people and goods, while recognizing streets as places.
  • Office of Recovery and Rebuild COVID-19: Accelerate or make permanent the initiatives taken quickly to support crisis response during COVID-19. Create a healthy, less car-dependent and connected city for all uses, ages and abilities.

Public Consultation Report

Virtual Public Event

A Virtual Public Meeting was held Monday November 15, 2021. This was an opportunity to learn more about the project, provide feedback and ask questions.

Online Feedback Form

An on-line comment form was available November 5, 2021 – November 29, 2021. All comments have been reviewed and considered. Responses can be viewed in the College Upgrades consultation Report.

Email and Phone

Feedback received by email and phone has been received and reviewed. Communication is summarized in the College Upgrades Consultation Report.

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 416-338-2985 or email Aadila.Valiallah@toronto.ca.