ReNew Golden Mile: Reconfigured & New Major Streets Environmental Assessment Study

Study Area

The EA Study area is located between Bermondsey Road, the Gatineau Hydro Corridor Trail, Sunrise Avenue, Holswade Road, Comstock Road and Foxridge Drive, and Kennedy Road. Significant commercial and residential development is anticipated in the project area over the next 20 to 30 years, which would bring up to 65,000 new residents and jobs. 

Approved Alignments

The diagram below shows the Recommended Street Alignments and detailed plans are provided in roll plans for each street. See the discussion guide for more information on the evaluation and recommendations for each street.

Additionally, the EA Study is exploring other streetscape improvements along Jonesville Crescent and Ashtonbee Road to Birchmount Road that do not require completion of Phases 3 and 4 of the MCEA. The improvements will ensure these streets are complete streets to support existing and future residents and businesses.

Approved Design: O'Connor Drive

Four Alternative Street Designs were evaluated for the O’Connor Drive reconfiguration and extension west of Pharmacy Avenue, and two alternative street designs were evaluated east of Pharmacy Avenue to Birchmount Avenue.

Alternative C4 west of Pharmacy Avenue and Alternative D2 east of Pharmacy Avenue are the Recommended Street Designs for the O’Connor Drive reconfiguration and extension to support the existing and planned uses along the two streets. The typical mid-block condition for the recommended street designs have:

• Two motor vehicle lanes (one in each direction with dedicated turn lanes at key intersections).
• Protected 6 metre bikeways (also referred to as cycle tracks) with buffer space between vehicle lanes.

• 2.5 metre sidewalks on both sides of the street.

• Generous space allocated for planting areas and furnishing zones on both sides of the street.
• Opportunities for some lay-by parking mid-block to support curbside activity.

See roll plan that shows the Recommended Street Designs.

Approved Design: Craigton Drive

Three alternative street designs were evaluated for the Craigton Drive reconfiguration.  Alternative E2 is the Recommended Street Design to support the existing and planned uses along the corridor.

The typical mid-block condition for the recommended street design has:

• Two motor vehicle lanes (one in each direction).
• Protected 2.1 metre bikeways (also referred to as cycle tracks) with buffer space between vehicular lanes.
• 1 metre sidewalks on both sides of the street.
• Generous space allocated for planting areas and furnishing zones on both sides of the street.

See roll plan that shows the recommended street design.

Approved Design: Thermos Road & Sinnott Road

Three Alternative Street Designs were evaluated for Thermos Road and Sinnott Road.

Alternative F1 is the recommended street design to support the existing and planned uses along the two corridors.

The typical mid-block condition for the recommended street design has:

• Two motor vehicle lanes (one in each direction with dedicated turn lanes at key intersections).
• Protected 2.1 metre bikeways (also referred to as cycle tracks) with buffer space between vehicular lanes.
• 6 metre sidewalks on both sides of the street.
• 0 metre allocated for planting areas and furnishing zones on both sides of the street.

The recommended street design also includes a protected intersection at Sinnott Road and Eglinton Avenue, and intersection improvements to Thermos Road and Eglinton Avenue to provide safer facilities for people cycling and walking.

See roll plan that shows the Recommended Street Design.

Approved Design: Golden Mile Boulevard

Three Street Design Alternatives were evaluated for the Golden Mile Boulevard for the 27 meter street width section, and two Street Design Alternatives for the 20 meter street width section.

Alternative B2 between Victoria Park Avenue and West Park and Alternative A2 between West Park and Birchmount Road are the Recommended Street Designs for Golden Mile Boulevard to support the existing and planned uses along the two corridors.

The typical mid-block condition for the Recommended Street Designs for the 20 metre width between Victoria Park Avenue and West Park has:

• Two motor vehicle lanes (one in each direction).
• Protected 2.1 metre bikeways (also referred to as cycle tracks) with buffer space between vehicular lanes.
• 1 metre sidewalks on both sides of the street.
• Generous space allocated for planting areas and furnishing zones on both sides of the street.

See roll plan that shows the recommended street designs.

The typical mid-block condition for the recommended street design for Golden Mile Boulevard between West Park and Birchmount Road with a 27 metre street width to support the existing and planned uses has:

• Two motor vehicle lanes (one in each direction).
• Protected 2.1 metre bikeways (also referred to as cycle tracks) with buffer space between vehicular lanes.
• 2.5 metre sidewalks on both sides of the street.
• Generous space allocated for planting areas and furnishing zones on both sides of the street.
• Opportunities for some lay-by parking mid-block to support curbside activity.

Approved Ashtonbee Road Streetscape Improvements

The EA Study explored improvements along Ashtonbee Road to Birchmount Road that do not require the completion of phases 3 and 4 of the MCEA. Ashtonbee Road streetscape improvements are recommended when the street requires reconstruction within the existing street width to support the existing and planned uses along the corridor.

The typical mid-block condition for the streetscape improvements has:

• Two motor vehicle lanes (one in each direction).
• Protected 2.1 metre bikeways (also referred to as cycle tracks) with buffer space between vehicular lanes.
• 1 metre sidewalks on both sides of the street.
• Generous space allocated for planting areas and furnishing zones on both sides of the street.
• Opportunities for lay-by parking mid-block to support curbside activity.

See roll plan that shows the recommended street designs.

Approved Jonesville Crescent Streetscape Improvements

The EA Study explored improvements along Jonesville Crescent that do not require the completion of phases 3 and 4 of the MCEA. Jonesville Crescent streetscape improvements are recommended when the street requires reconstruction within the existing street width to support the existing and planned uses along the corridor.

The typical mid-block condition for the streetscape improvements has:

• Reduced width of the two motor vehicle lanes (one in each direction).
• Improved active transportation connection to Eglinton Avenue and Meadoway Trail by the addition of 3 metre multi-use path with buffer space between vehicular lanes to the north side of the street.
• No change to the existing 1.5m sidewalk to the south side of the street.
• Improved landscape and furnishing zone to the south side of the street.
• No changes to the location of existing guardrail and utility poles.

Public Consultation

Phase 1 Public consultation took place in 2023. The report below provides a detailed summary of all consultation activities and feedback received.

•  Phase 1 Public Consultation Report

Phase 2 consultation  took place in 2024. The report below provides a detailed summary of all consultation activities and feedback received.

• Phase 2 Public Consultation Report

Draft Official Plan Amendments to Support O'Connor Drive Reconfiguration Recommendation

The City of Toronto is proposing to amend the Official Plan to implement the preferred alignment for the O’Connor Drive Reconfiguration, which is being recommended through the ReNew Golden Mile Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA).

• Draft OPA 788 proposes amendments to the lands west of Victoria Park Avenue at 1871, 1875, 1880, 1885, and 1888 O’Connor Drive, and 1460, 1468 and 1474 Victoria Park Avenue.
• Draft OPA 789 proposes amendments to the lands east of Victoria Park Avenue at 1 to 70 Eglinton Square, 1431 and 1437 Victoria Park Avenue, 14, 18, 22, and 26 Engelhart Crescent, and 64 and 68 Harris Park Drive.

View the draft proposals below:

• Draft OPA 788
• Draft OPA 789

For questions or more information, contact:

Emily Caldwell, M.PL., MCIP, RPP (she/her/hers)
Senior Planner, Community Planning, Scarborough District
Development Review Division
Emily.Caldwell@toronto.ca
416-396-4927

Background

The City initiated the ReNew Golden Mile Study in 2017, a study focused on developing a vision and planning framework for the Golden Mile area to meet future demands. The Golden Mile Secondary Plan was subsequently completed in 2019 and adopted by City Council in October 2020. The Golden Mile Transportation Master Plan (TMP) was completed in November 2019. The Golden Mile EA builds on the TMP to complete Phases 3 and 4 of the Municipal Class EA process.