The Lawrence Park (LP) Transportation Plan builds on the 2018 Basement Flooding & Road Improvement Environmental Assessment recommendations to address concerns raised by the community about road safety, excessive speeding and traffic volumes. The LP Transportation Plan identifies changes that can be made to improve safety for all road users, with a focus on vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, people cycling, children and seniors.
The Lawrence Park Transportation Plan will not revisit the Council-approved recommendations identified through the Lawrence Park Road & Stormwater Management Study process.
The Lawrence Park Transportation Plan boundaries are Lawrence Avenue East on the north, Bayview Avenue on the east, the Sherwood Park and Lawrence Park Ravine network to the south and Yonge Street on the west.
The LP Transportation Plan study area includes the Lawrence Park Neighbourhood Road & Stormwater Management study area, as well as other neighbourhood streets for which additional study was undertaken.
In 2018, the City finalized the Lawrence Park Basement Flooding & Road Improvements Study, which made recommendations to address deteriorating road conditions, traffic and pedestrian safety, road drainage problems and basement flooding in the area.
The recommendations, which were approved by City Council in 2017 will be delivered through the Basement Flooding Protection Program.
Planned work includes:
Council-approved changes will not be revisited as part of the Transportation Plan.
In 2019, following the completion of the EA study, North York Community Council requested Transportation Services to develop a traffic management plan to address additional concerns raised by the community for implementation in coordination with the Basement Flooding Protection Program.
City staff have used a data-driven approach to understand existing conditions in Lawrence Park and develop potential changes.
Traffic data measuring vehicle volumes, speeds and turning movement counts:
Collision data collected by Toronto Police Services indicating the number of collisions resulting in death or serious injury:
Concerns and requests from the public and local Councillor:
Site visits and observations in the neighbourhood.
Lawrence Park Transportation Plan recommendations are informed by the City’s Traffic Calming Policy, Vision Zero Road Safety Plan and Complete Streets Guidelines, and focus on speed management and road safety for all users.
The LP Transportation Plan considers changes that can be made to improve road safety and speed management. Vehicle volumes in Lawrence Park were within the working maximum capacity for local and collector roads, based on the City’s Road Classification System; no vehicle volume management measures are proposed.
The LP Transportation Plan involves several steps:
Step 1: Review feedback on local issues
Step 2: Develop a plan to address issues
Step 3: Consult the public on potential changes – We are here!
Step 4: Finalize LP Transportation Plan for approval by Community Council
Step 5: Implement approved LP Transportation Plan changes
As part of the 2018 Lawrence Park Neighbourhood Road & Stormwater Management Study, City Council approved the installation of new sidewalks that will help to improve road safety in the area. Sidewalks were approved on one side of five streets: Mildenhall Road (east side), St. Leonards Avenue, Dawlish Avenue, Pinedale Road and Glenallen Road/Strathgowan Crescent. Installation will take place alongside planned road and stormwater design and reconstruction delivered through the Basement Flooding Protection Program.
In addition to the approved sidewalks, the LP Transportation Plan recommends the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Lawrence Avenue East and Wanless Crescent (west side) to facilitate pedestrian crossing of Lawrence Avenue and access to Wanless Park. Currently, the closest traffic signals are located at Mount Pleasant Road to the west, and Mildenhall Road to the east.
Where feasible, additional road safety improvements are recommended for implementation alongside planned road and stormwater design and reconstruction:
Intersection realignment modifies the layout of roads to improve safety. Modifications can include:
Raised crosswalks have a higher elevation that the adjacent roadway. Benefits include:
Traffic studies collect precise travel speed data from motor vehicles. Studies completed between 2021 and 2024 suggest that there are local roads in the neighbourhood where motor vehicle operating speeds exceed 38 km/h (8 km/h above the posted limit).
City Council has already approved changes as part of the Basement Flooding & Road Improvement Environmental Assessment which will support speed management and encourage compliance with 30km/h speed limits. Council-approved changes include road narrowing and chicanes on streets that will be reconstructed through the Basement Flooding Protection Program. Implementation would take place between 2027 and 2032.
As part of the Lawrence Park Transportation Plan, additional speed management tools are being considered for nine streets that will not be reconstructed as part of the Basement Flooding Protection Program and where speeding was observed:
Three speed management tools are being considered for these nine streets: in-road flexible speed signs, chicanes and speed humps.
In-road flexible speed signs serve as both a visual reminder of the posted speed limit and a physical device to slow motor vehicle speeds as they pass the sign. Key considerations:
Chicanes are a series of curb extensions on alternate sides of a roadway which narrow the roadway and require drivers to steer from one side to the other to travel through the chicane. Key considerations:
Speed humps are raised sections of the roadway designed to discourage motorists from travelling at excessive speeds. They are installed mid-block and used on local and collector roads only. Key considerations:
The City of Toronto is inviting feedback on the Lawrence Park Transportation Plan. Public feedback, along with technical and policy considerations will be used to inform City staff recommendations and City Council decisions.
A Virtual Public Meeting was held on June 24, 2024. Members of the public were provided with an overview of the study, had the opportunity to review recommended solutions, ask questions and provide feedback.
The consultation period is still open.
Complete the online survey by July 19 to provide feedback on potential changes that are being considered as part of the LP Transportation Plan.
You can also submit comments by email, phone, or mail. Contact us to request a print copy of the survey.
To receive project emails, please email LawrencePark@toronto.ca to be added to the email list.