Register for the virtual public meeting on June 7 and complete the survey before June 20. View meeting materials in Public Consultation tab below.

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.
Study area map

June 2023: Proposed Near-Term Changes Next Steps

Following consideration of public feedback on the near-term changes, staff will submit a report to North York Community Council (NYCC) in fall 2023 with recommendations for near-term improvements. Subject to NYCC approval, implementation of near-term changes will happen in phases.

November 2023: Status Report Adopted by NYCC

On November 29, 2022, NYCC considered and adopted the LNTP status report. A copy of the staff report is available under NYCC agenda item NY1.9.

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 meeting presentation (coming soon) for more details on the study process, near-term plan and next steps.

Planned Changes

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

  • Vision Zero intersection realignment and safety improvements at Bessborough Drive/Craig Crescent/Divadale Drive, Bessborough Drive/Eglinton Avenue East and 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
  • State-of-good-repair review of pavement markings
  • Line 5 Eglinton
  • Proposed and approved bikeways on Eglinton Avenue East and Millwood Road
  • Bike Share Toronto stations at Laird Drive/McRae Drive and the Toronto Public Library (Leaside Branch)
  • In-road flexible speed signs on portions of Millwood Road

Proposed Changes

The following changes require Community Council approval before they can be implemented:

  • Interim intersection safety improvements at Hanna Road/Eglinton Avenue East and Macnaughton Road/Cameron Crescent
  • Traffic signal at Bayview Avenue/Sutherland Drive
  • Replacement of yield sign with a stop sign at Winsloe Avenue, approaching Divadale Drive
  • Conversion of angled parking to parallel parking and space for a Bike Share Toronto station on portions of McRae Drive
  • Speed humps on portions of Bessborough Drive, Broadway Avenue, Donlea Drive and McRae Drive*
  • Residential on-street permits on portions of Crofton Road, Glenvale Boulevard, Parklea Drive, Randolph Road, Sutherland Drive and Thursfield Crescent*
  • One-hour parking restriction on Glenvale Boulevard

* Changes would require residential polling conducted by the City Clerk’s Office following Community Council approval.

Map showing location of near
Planned & proposed near-term mobility changes in Leaside

While we aim to provide fully accessible content, there is no text alternative available for some of the 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 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

Virtual Public Meeting

The Virtual Public Meeting will include a presentation followed by a Question and Answer period.

Date: June 7, 2023
Time: 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Join online: Register
Join by phone (audio only): Call 416-915-6530, enter access code 2455 664 4445, followed by attendee ID 38427469.

Learn more about participating in City of Toronto virtual engagement events.

To request accommodation, or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact us LeasideNTP@toronto.ca or at 416-338-3033.

Materials

Feedback

Complete the online feedback survey before June 20, 2023. Contact us to request a printed copy of the survey.

Digital Mapping Tool

From July 18, 2022, 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.

The most frequently identified concern was high motor vehicle volumes, followed by safety concerns at intersections and poor compliance to traffic controls.

Overall, the comments provided through the digital mapping tool identified:

  • Heavy congestion during peak travel hours
  • Aggressive driving and failure to obey speed limits, stop signs, turn restrictions and other bylaws
  • The curving road design and presence of on-street parking and/other visual obstructions contribute poor sightlines, causing people driving and cycling to make wide turns with compromised visibility and/or risky merges onto oncoming traffic
  • Need for better infrastructure for vulnerable road users, like sidewalks and bike lanes
  • Concerns related to the opening of the Line 5 Eglinton
  • Concerns related to residential development in the area and the impact on traffic and on-street parking conditions
  • Confusing and inconsistent parking bylaws

Materials

Virtual Public Information Session

A public information session was held on February 9, 2022, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., and attended by 189 participants.

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 of the 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.

Overview

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 (4) School Safety Zones and six (6) 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

  • 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)

The participation of local residents and stakeholders is essential in both phases to help identify opportunities for improvements and concerns in the neighbourhood.

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

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.

The work is planned for construction in summer/fall 2023, pending contractor availability. Information on what to expect during construction will be mailed to residents in advance.

If you have any questions or concerns about construction, contact Danielle Davis, Senior Project Manager, at Danielle.Davis@toronto.ca or 416-392-1282.

Bessborough Drive/Craig Crescent/Divadale Drive

  • Normalize intersection with curb extensions at all corners to slow vehicles, improve sightlines and decrease pedestrian crossing distances
  • Raise intersection and 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
  • Corner radii will be reduced to reduce vehicle turning speed
  • Add tactile plates at corners to meet accessibility standards
  • Protect all existing trees
The planned Vision Zero improvements at Bessborough Drive/Craig Crescent/Divadale Drive.
Aerial view of the planned Vision Zero improvements at Bessborough Drive/Craig Crescent/Divadale Drive

Bessborough Drive/Eglinton Avenue East

  • Realign intersection to a more normalized “T” with curb extensions at both corners. This will help slow vehicles, improve sightlines and decrease pedestrian crossing distances.
  • Raise crossing and add high-visibility zebra markings 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
The planned Vision Zero improvements at Bessborough Drive/Eglinton Avenue East.
Aerial view of the planned Vision Zero improvements at Bessborough Drive/Eglinton Avenue East

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 of the 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.

Subscribe to Receive Project Updates

Stay up to date on key milestones and opportunities to get involved.

Subscribe