Morningside Connections

City Council has approved the proposed changes on Morningside Avenue from Tams Road/Pan Am Drive to the Highway 401 Eastbound ramp. A copy of the staff report is available at IE26.6.

 

The project area includes the west and east sides of Morningside Avenue from Tams Road/Pan Am Drive to the Highway 401 Eastbound Off-Ramp and On-Ramp.

A map of the intersection of Morningside Avenue and Tams Road/Pan Am Drive and the surrounding area including the Meadoway Trail just northwest of the intersection and the proposed extension of the Meadoway Trail east of the intersection and the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre located southeast of the intersection.

  • A sidewalk will be added on the east side of Morningside Avenue north of Pan Am Drive to the Highway 401 Eastbound On-Ramp. 
  • A 3 metre wide bidirectional multi-use trail (MUT) will replace the existing sidewalk on the west side of Morningside Avenue south of the Highway 401 Eastbound Off-Ramp. Fifty meters north of the Tams Road intersection, the MUT will split into a raised bidirectional cycle track and a sidewalk, which will continue in the boulevard south to Tams Road.  
  • An integrated raised bike/bus platform will be installed at the northwest corner of Morningside Avenue and Tams Road. A raised bike/bus platform keeps the bikeway clear for people cycling, while providing sidewalk-level access for people boarding and exiting TTC buses. 
  • Intersection improvements at Morningside Avenue and Tams Road/Pan Am Drive will include raised concrete medians to provide physical separation between people cycling and motor vehicles, truck aprons to accommodate turns by large vehicles, addition of bikeway signals, a crossride, which is a designated crossing for people cycling, and tactile walking surface indicators at all crossings.  
  • Other changes include the relocation of signal poles, shifting the curb on the west side of Morningside Avenue south of Tams Road for a future MUT and narrowing of vehicle lanes on Morningside Avenue at the intersection.
  • The installation of the multi-use trail may require the removal of four City street trees at the northwest corner of Morningside Avenue and Tams Road. The City plants three trees for each one that is removed.   

The comment period for this consultation has closed.

The City will issue a Pre-Construction Notice approximately 2-3 months before construction.

This work is part of the City of Toronto’s Council-approved Cycling Network Plan to connect existing cycling infrastructure. The new MUT on Morningside Avenue will connect gaps in the cycling network by establishing a safe cycling connection between the Meadoway Trail just south of the Highway 401 Eastbound Off-Ramp and future bikeways at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre.

Protected Intersection

A protected intersection aims to improve safety and reduce conflicts between cyclists, pedestrians, and vehicles. The City is in the process of installing more protected intersections. They enhance safety for all road users by reducing the likelihood of high-speed turns and improving sightlines.

Benefits of protected intersections include:

  • Drivers have increased visibility of people cycling from the passenger window while waiting at a red light because the bicycle stop line is located ahead of the cars. 
  • Corner islands lower vehicle speeds and give a better view of pedestrians and people cycling when turning right. 
  • Ease of making a two-stage left turn with a dedicated queuing area for people cycling. 
  • Separation of the bikeway from vehicle traffic, providing a high degree of comfort and safety for people cycling. 

Truck Apron

A truck apron is a mountable curb that can accommodate passenger vehicles and/or design vehicles. The truck apron radius is mounted by trucks when making right turns. 

Truck aprons allow for intersection corners to be designed for smaller vehicles, while also accommodating larger vehicles to turn at an intersection corner.