Common Questions

Process

Transportation Master Plans

A Transportation Master Plan (TMP) is a study that examines infrastructure needs within a geographic area and provides a framework for the implementation of projects over a period of time.

The Park Lawn Lake Shore Transportation Master Plan Study will follow Phases 1 and 2 of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) process, which is an approved planning process under the Environmental Assessment (EA) Act.

• Phase 1: identify transportation problems and opportunities in the Park Lawn Lake Shore area.
• Phase 2: develop, evaluate and recommend alternatives to address the identified problems and opportunities.

Study Completion

Once the TMP is complete, a report will be issued identifying recommendations. If City Council adopts the report recommendations, a Notice of Study Completion is issued to all stakeholders and the project mailing list and a copy of the Transportation Master Plan document is made available on this website and in select local libraries for a 30-day review period. During the 30-day review period, a person can contact the City to resolve any outstanding concerns regarding the project.

Some of the potential projects which may be recommended in the TMP with a higher cost and environmental impact will require further study and completion of Phases 3 and 4 of the Municipal Class EA process at a later date.

Archaeological Assessment

The Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) process requires the City to consider potential impacts to different aspects of the environment (e.g., natural, social, cultural, etc.) when developing and evaluating alternatives. The potential to impact archaeological resources is one of the key considerations when assessing alternatives during a MCEA.

Under the Ontario Heritage Act, Archaeological Assessments (AAs) are required when land that is known to have an archaeological site on it, or has the potential to contain archaeological resources, may be impacted by development activities. There are four (4) different stages to an archaeological assessment, but not all stages are necessary for all undertakings.  A Stage 1 AA includes a review of geographic, land use and historical information, review of existing conditions, and contact with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport (MTCS) to determine whether there are any known archaeological sites in the area.

A Stage 2 AA is required when areas of archaeological potential are identified during the Stage 1 AA. A field survey of the land is conducted to confirm the presence of archaeological resources and determine whether any archaeological resources found are of significant cultural heritage value and require further assessment (i.e. Stage 3 AA). Significant archaeological resources are to be avoided, where possible.

A Stage 1 AA has been completed for the Park Lawn/Lake Shore TMP to determine whether there is potential for archaeological sites to be present, and to inform the evaluation of alternatives.

Traffic Projections

Field surveys were completed in early Fall 2016 to collect vehicular, pedestrian, and cyclist volumes during the morning and evening peak rush hours at intersections within the Study Area.

An origin-destination survey has been conducted using Bluetooth traffic monitoring units; this survey will help to determine travel patterns of trips that pass through the Study Area and the associated travel time between multiple points of entry and exit. Available data from the Province’s Transportation Tomorrow Survey will also be used.

The above information will be used to conduct a multi-modal traffic simulation and modelling. The traffic model will include interactions of all modes of transportation, including vehicles on local roads, highway and on/off ramps, streetcars and buses, pedestrian, cyclists and trucks. The traffic model will assess both existing and future transportation network and operations.

Funding

The TMP is funded through the Transportation Services Capital Budget. Once complete, funding for implementation of future studies will be requested through the City’s future Capital Budgets.

Accessibility

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) was enacted by the Provincial government in 2005 to help make Ontario accessible to people with disabilities. The Act lays the framework for the development of province-wide mandatory standards on accessibility in all areas of daily life.

The City developed Complete Streets Guidelines which provide a new approach for how we design our city streets. Complete Streets build on many of the City’s existing policies, guidelines and recent successful street design and construction projects. The Complete Streets Guidelines provide an expanded toolbox of ways to improve Toronto’s streets.

All new or upgraded infrastructure components (e.g. curb ramps or depressed curbs, tactile walking surface indicators, accessible pedestrian signals / push buttons, signage, etc.) implemented by the City of Toronto will comply with AODA standards.

Coordination with City Planning

The Christie’s Planning Study will guide the future of the former Mr. Christie’s factory site and will consider built form, affordable housing, employment land use, community facilities, parks and open spaces, infrastructure, transportation and development phasing. This work will result in a Secondary Plan and site-specific Zoning By-law which will guide development on the site. The study will produce population projections and densities will be used to forecast and to evaluate the capacity of the transportation network in the TMP.

 

GO Station Planning

In 2018, Metrolinx prepared an initial business case for the Park Lawn GO Station. Based on Metrolinx’s assessment, the Park Lawn GO Station was evaluated to have high market and development potential. Key concerns with a station at this location include substandard spacing with the existing Mimico GO station.

Currently, Metrolinx and First Capital have been working together to develop a strategy to deliver the new GO Station at Park Lawn. This will include stronger integration with TTC Humber loop, with potential relocation of the loop to provide operational flexibility. The TMP will integrate with the new GO services, Street Car Loop, and Bus routes in order to propose a transportation network that supports and integrates with the above transit initiatives.

Waterfront Reset

The Park Lawn Lake Shore TMP is coordinating improvements with the Waterfront Transit Reset, which includes a comprehensive assessment of needs and options for transit improvements for the waterfront area. On January 31, 2018, City Council endorsed the overall Waterfront Transit Network Plan, and directed staff to proceed with more detailed follow-up planning and design studies according to priority.

Property Impacts

Some of the recommended projects may require property acquisition. The TMP will perform an initial assessment of where property may be required to achieve the required public infrastructure to allow for the approved plan to be implemented. Property requirements will be confirmed during detailed design activities following completion of the TMP, and some property acquisition may be realized through the development approval process. The City will consult with affected property owners and negotiate property acquisition prior to construction.

Active Transportation

The more people can walk or cycle safely and conveniently to their destinations, the more likely people are to use these forms of travel – thus reducing congestion and improving the health and wellbeing of community members. Creating a safe, accessible, and connected active transportation system improves the ability of residents to travel to where they need to go. The TMP will follow City’s Complete Streets Guidelines which considers the needs of all users, including as people who walk, ride a bike, take transit or drive, and people of varying ages and levels of ability.

Cycling improvements developed in the TMP could include additions to on-street cycling infrastructure, multi-use trails, way finding and bike parking. Pedestrian improvements could include adding missing sidewalks, widening too-narrow sidewalks, improving intersections and pedestrian crossings, enhancing accessibility, improving signals, wayfinding, and adding other amenities such as trees and street furniture to improve pedestrian comfort.

Public Transit

Public transit improvement recommended through the TMP could include:

• Optimizing signal timing to move transit vehicles more efficiently.
• New/additional roads and connections that could allow transit service to better serve existing and new developments.
• Support in the evaluation of options for new transportation infrastructure on the site formerly known as the Mr. Christie’s site.
• Options to improve the existing Humber Loop or provide a new loop in an alternate location.
• Widening Lake Shore Boulevard between Humber Loop and Park Lawn Road, and constructing the previously-approved streetcar right-of-way on this road section.
• Improving connections of active modes of transportation (pedestrian and cyclists)

Related transportation improvements

Public Transit

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) regularly monitors ridership on transit services across the city, and makes service adjustments as necessary and as budget allows.

Mimico GO Shuttle

In August 2019, TTC extended the 176 Mimico GO route to Marine Parade Drive to connect more customers to Mimico GO Station. Find more information on the Mimico GO Shuttle page. Trip times at all stops on the route will change to be up to 4 minutes earlier during morning peak service and up to 5 minutes later during afternoon peak service to align trip times with Lakeshore West GO trains.

Vehicle Traffic

At the intersection of Park Lawn Road and Lake Shore Boulevard, the road was widened to accommodate an additional lane north of Lake Shore Boulevard West. Increase of  green signal time was added for northbound motorists on Park Lawn Road turning left onto the Gardiner (westbound) during the morning peak period. A signal coordination review is being conducted along Lake Shore Boulevard West to determine the optimum timing to improve traffic flow on this street.

City Staff reported  on a left-turn issue to improve safety concerns at 2200-2220 Lake Shore Boulevard West, which installed in early 2017.

Road Tolls

In January 2017, the Province of Ontario withdrew support for proposed road tolls in Toronto. In light of this decision, the City is no longer studying the impact of road tolls on the Park Lawn Lake Shore TMP. Transportation Services is aware of area resident concerns about the impacts that road tolling could have on local traffic in the Park Lawn and Lake Shore study area.