The City of Toronto is developing the Leaside Neighbourhood Transportation Plan (LNTP) to address the concerns about transportation conditions in the neighbourhood raised by the community, as well as any related items identified by staff through the course of the study.

The plan will identify, recommend and prioritize changes that can be made to improve safety for all road users, with a focus on vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, people biking, children and seniors.

The plan consists of two phases: a near-term plan and a long-term plan.

A map outlining the study area boundary in pink: from Bayview Avenue to the west, Glenvale Boulevard/Kildeer Crescent/Rykert Crescent to the north, Don River/Laird Drive to the east and the CPR rail corridor to the south.
The study area is bound by Glenvale Boulevard/Kildeer Crescent/Rykert Crescent (north); rail corridor (south); Don River and Laird Drive (east) and Bayview Avenue (west).

Near-Term Plan (Phase 1: 2022–2025)

  • Spring/Summer 2022: Gather site-specific concerns and ideas
  • Fall 2022/Winter 2023: Data analysis and site visits and observations
  • Spring 2023: Gather public feedback on proposed near-term changes
  • Late 2023+: Implement near-term changes, pending Community Council approval

Long-Term Plan (Phase 2: After Completion of Line 5 Eglinton & Bikeway)

  • Study new travel patterns and public consultation

Data Collection & Analysis

The City reviewed traffic studies and travel data to identify, recommend and prioritize changes to traffic operations and road design that can be made in the coming years:

  • Measurements of vehicle volumes, speeds and turning movement counts
  • Collision data collected by Toronto Police Services
  • Recent reports about traffic operations and road safety
  • Site visits and observations
  • Past and ongoing plans and studies
  • Resident input through public consultation

The City has identified possibilities to improve safety for all road users, especially vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, people who bike, children and seniors.

Review the near-term plan public meeting presentation for more details on the study process, near-term plan and next steps.

Planned Changes

The following changes do not require Council approval or have already been approved by City Council:

  • Vision Zero intersection realignment and safety improvements at McRae Drive/Rumsey Road/Sharron Drive
  • Sightline improvements at intersections to remove obstructions at Randolph Road/Kenrae Road, Randolph Road/Stickney Avenue and Rolph Road/Southvale Avenue
  • In-road flexible speed signs on portions of Millwood Road
  • State-of-good-repair review of pavement markings
  • Line 5 Eglinton
  • Bikeways on Eglinton Avenue East and Millwood Road

Completed

The following planned changes have been implemented:

  • Vision Zero intersection realignment and safety improvements at Bessborough Drive/Craig Crescent/Divadale Drive and Bessborough Drive/Eglinton Avenue East
  • Installation of a Bike Share Toronto station at the Toronto Public Library (Leaside Branch) and McRae Drive/Laird Drive

Approved Changes

The following changes have been approved by NYCC:

  • Speed humps on portions of roadways in school and community safety zones (contingent on resident polling). Further outreach will be undertaken before the City Clerk’s Office issues polls to impacted residents.
  • By-law changes to allow on-street, overnight parking permits (contingent on resident polling)

Completed

The following approved changes have been implemented:

  • Speed limit reduction from 40 km/h to 30 km/h on Moore Street, from Bayview Avenue to Southvale Drive
  • Replacement of yield sign with a stop sign at Winsloe Avenue, approaching Divadale Drive
  • One-hour parking restriction on Glenvale Boulevard, from Hanna Road to Brentcliffe Road

Proposed Changes Requiring Further Studies

City staff will report to NYCC in late 2024 with a review of the feasibility of installing an intersection pedestrian signal at Bayview Avenue/Sutherland Drive:

Proposed Changes not Approved

NYCC has directed City staff not to proceed with the following proposed changes:

  • Conversion of angled parking to parallel parking on portions of McRae Drive
Map showing location of near
Planned & proposed near-term mobility changes in Leaside

The implementation of speed humps and permit parking is contingent on positive polling results. The polling process is summarized below:

The polling process: 1. Project initiation: requests received through LNTP engagement 2. Traffic study conducted 3. Technical and safety warrant analysis (if warrant is not met, the process will not proceed) 4. Develop, design and rank project (We are here!) 5. Report to Community Council (if Community Council does not approve the recommendation, the process will not proceed) 6. Polling: 50%+1 ballot, 60% approval required (if the polling requirements are not met, the process will not proceed) 7. By-law approved by Community Council and/or road alteration is adopted 8. Schedule in annual construction program based on ranking and available budget 9. Installation
Local resident polling process

While we aim to provide fully accessible content, there is no text alternative available for some content on this site. If you require alternate formats or need assistance understanding our maps, drawings or any other content, please contact LeasideNTP@toronto.ca or 416-338-3033.

Travel behaviour changes associated with the new transit and transportation infrastructure must be studied before major network changes are considered.

The development of the long-term plan will begin after the completion of Line 5 Eglinton and the planned bikeway on Eglinton Avenue, from Bayview Avenue to the Don Valley.

The long-term plan may consider road redesign elements like:

  • traffic diversions
  • separated bikeways
  • road narrowing
  • other interventions that are typically delivered as part of road reconstruction
The comment period for Phase 1 consultation has closed. The Public Consultation Report summarizes feedback received.

Virtual Public Meeting

A virtual public meeting was held on June 7, 2023, that included a presentation and Question & Answer period to speak with project staff.

Materials

Digital Mapping Tool

From July 18 to September 3, 2022, members of the public were able to locate areas of interest and concern using a digital mapping tool. A total of 257 unique respondents submitted 458 comments.

Materials

Virtual Public Information Session

A public information session was held on February 9, 2022. The information session included a presentation on the LNTP objectives, challenges and opportunities, toolbox of strategies and study process. It was followed by an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback on locations that would benefit from safety improvements for all road users.

Materials

While we aim to provide fully accessible content, there is no text alternative available for some content on this site. If you require alternate formats or need assistance understanding our maps, drawings or any other content, please contact LeasideNTP@toronto.ca or 416-338-3033.

Construction at the McRae Drive/Rumsey Road/Sharron Drive intersection is anticipated for completion in spring 2024. If you have any questions or concerns about the projects below, contact Vision Zero Projects at VisionZeroTO@toronto.ca.

In addition to the LNTP, the City is also making changes to the design of three intersections within the study area in support of the Council-approved Vision Zero Road Safety Plan.

The City plans permanent road safety improvements at intersections where:

  • state-of-good-repair reconstruction or resurfacing is planned
  • temporary safety treatments have been installed to address specific safety concerns

The planned changes will address safety concerns by reducing crossing distances and slowing vehicle speeds. The work will involve removing and reconstructing curbs and sections of sidewalk, as well as replacing asphalt. Designs will bring intersections up to current standards and guidelines.

All intersection construction is anticipated for completion in spring 2024, pending contractor availability. Information on what to expect during construction will be mailed to residents in advance.

Reconstructed: Bessborough Drive/Craig Crescent/Divadale Drive

  • Normalized intersection with curb extensions at all corners to slow vehicles, improve sightlines and decrease pedestrian crossing distances
  • Raised intersection and add high visibility zebra markings at all crossings to improve stop compliance and yielding to people crossing
  • Extended sod boulevards and sidewalks to provide safer waiting areas for people crossing
  • Reduced corner radii rto lower vehicle turning speed
  • Added tactile plates at corners to meet accessibility standards
  • Protected all existing trees
The planned Vision Zero improvements at Bessborough Drive/Craig Crescent/Divadale Drive.
Aerial view of the completed Vision Zero improvements at Bessborough Drive/Craig Crescent/Divadale Drive

Reconstructed: Bessborough Drive/Eglinton Avenue East

  • Realigned intersection to a more normalized “T” with curb extensions at both corners. This will help slow vehicles, improve sightlines and decrease pedestrian crossing distances.
  • Raised crossing and added high-visibility zebra markings to improve stop compliance and yielding to people crossing
  • Extended sod boulevards and sidewalks to provide safer waiting areas for people crossing
  • Tightened corner radii to reduce vehicle turning speeds
  • Added tactile plates at corners to meet accessibility standards
  • Protected all existing trees
The planned Vision Zero improvements at Bessborough Drive/Eglinton Avenue East.
Aerial view of the completed Vision Zero improvements at Bessborough Drive/Eglinton Avenue East

Under Construction: McRae Drive/Rumsey Road/Sharron Drive

  • Remove right-turn channel islands and normalize intersections with curb extensions at most corners. This will help slow vehicles, improve sightlines and decrease pedestrian crossing distances and conflict points with motor vehicles.
  • Add high-visibility zebra markings at all crossings to improve stop compliance and yielding to people crossing
  • Extend sod boulevards and sidewalks to provide safer waiting areas for people crossing
  • Tighten corner radii to reduce vehicle turning speeds
  • Add tactile plates at corners to meet accessibility standards
  • Protect all existing trees
  • Relocate existing southbound bus stop
The planned Vision Zero improvements at McRae Drive/Rumsey Road/Sharron Drive, including the removal of the right-turn channel islands, addition of high-visibility zebra markings, extending sod boulevards and sidewalks, tightening corner radii to reduce vehicle turning speeds, adding tactile plates, protecting existing trees and relocating bus stops.
Aerial view of the planned Vision Zero improvements at McRae Drive/Rumsey Road/Sharron Drive

While we aim to provide fully accessible content, there is no text alternative available for some content on this site. If you require alternate formats or need assistance understanding our maps, drawings or any other content, please contact LeasideNTP@toronto.ca or 416-338-3033.

About the Neighbourhood Transportation Plan

In 2019, North York Community Council (2019.NY9.12), directed City staff to work with the community to develop a comprehensive plan to address community concerns about mobility in Leaside:

  • Cut-through traffic patterns
  • Speeding by motor vehicles
  • Volume of motor vehicles on local roads
  • Non-compliance with traffic regulations
  • Road user safety
  • Atypical geometric design of intersections and road curves

City staff have used a holistic approach to assess and manage traffic issues within the neighbourhood. The LNTP considers all modes of transportation, with an emphasis on improving conditions for vulnerable road users.

In 2023, the City launched Neighbourhood Streets Plans, to make it fair and transparent for neighbourhoods to access City-led community-guided plans for traffic, road safety and active transportation. The LNTP is considered an early entrant and model for this new program.

Recent Improvements

Alongside the LNTP initiative, safety measures have recently been implemented in the Leaside area to improve conditions for road users, with a focus on those that are vulnerable:

  • Speed limit reductions were implemented on all arterial, collector and local roads in the area.
  • Four School Safety Zones and six Community Safety Zones have been designated to help reduce aggressive driving and speeding in areas where vulnerable road users are likely to be present.
  • Pedestrian head start signals, also known as leading pedestrian intervals, have been added to five signalized intersections in the area.
  • A curb radius reduction was implemented at the intersection of Bessborough Drive, Craig Crescent and Divadale Drive to increase visibility between all road users, reduce the crossing distance for pedestrians and reduce vehicle turning speeds.

Challenges & Opportunities

The study area has been impacted by changes associated with transit projects, development applications and planning studies:

Council Decisions

  • October 17, 2023: Leaside Neighbourhood Transportation Plan (Near-Term Plan) (2023.NY9.6) and Bayview Avenue and Sutherland Drive – Traffic Control Signals (2023.NY9.5)
  • November 29, 2022: Leaside Neighbourhood Transportation Plan Status Update (2023.NY1.9)
  • June 28, 2022: Request for a Status Report on the Leaside Neighbourhood Transportation Plan (2022.NY33.61)
  • October 10, 2019: Leaside Traffic Management Plan and Speed Limit Reduction (2019.NY9.12)
  • August 12, 2014: Report Request – Proposed 30 km/h Road Speed Limit Throughout Leaside (2014.NY34.103)

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