In consultation with the community, the study explored possible design changes to Parkside Drive to better serve all road users. Narrow and missing sidewalks, lack of bikeways, excessive vehicular speeds, aggressive driving, and a history of collisions resulting in fatality or serious injury are frequently heard concerns. The Parkside Drive Study recommendations support the City’s Vision Zero Road Safety Plan efforts to implement changes that would prevent serious injuries and fatalities on our streets.
Phase Two public consultation is taking place between January 3 and February 15, 2023. This phase of consultation is collecting road user and community feedback on the potential interim changes and long-term vision for Parkside Drive. This phase includes a community group meeting, public drop-in event, and survey to understand how proposed changes and impacts are supported by the community.
Following consultation, the assessment of all potential actions will be finalized. The Study will conclude with a staff report to City Council for a final decision. Next steps on implementation will be determined by availability of funding, resources, and the City’s competing priorities.
The objectives of the Parkside Drive Study are to:
The future vision for Parkside Drive involves road reconfiguration. Road reconfiguration provides an opportunity to upgrade the corridor to current standards and support multi-modal travel options. It will change the current
allocation of right-of-way space and incorporate Complete Streets elements. The future vision includes:
A quick-build transformation of Parkside Drive is a candidate for the Cycling Network Plan (2025-2027 Near-Term Program) which is expected to be reported to City Council for decision and direction in 2024. Key features:
Detailed design for the Parkside Drive cycle track would commence pending City Council approval. Further consultation with impacted community groups and residents would be facilitated, pending Council approval, to develop and finalize the detailed design.
Over the last 18 months, the City has made several improvements to traffic management and road geometry to improve safety of vulnerable road users and reduce motor vehicle speeding. Data suggest that motor vehicle speeds and volumes have decreased since changes were implemented on Parkside Drive.
Since November 2021 motor vehicle volumes and speeds have decreased.
Vehicle Volume
Traffic counts suggest that motor vehicle volumes have decreased by approximately 27% from over 28,000 daily motor vehicles to approximately 21,000 daily motor vehicles
Vehicle Speed
Traffic counts suggest that motor vehicle speeds have decreased on Parkside Drive. In the southbound direction, operating speeds decreased by approximately 17%, from 62km/hr to 51 km/hr. In the northbound direction, operating speeds decreased by approximately 13% from 55km/hr to 48km/hr.
The study area is Parkside Drive from Keele Subway Station to the Martin Goodman Trail.
The Parkside Drive Study will build on recent and planned roadway changes, City Council decisions and community advocacy for improved safety and comfort for pedestrians and people cycling, taking transit and driving, including:
The City has a variety of measures that it can use to address transportation related concerns. A range of options will be studied alongside potential changes recommended through the High Park Movement Strategy to understand their impacts on road safety, mobility choices and travel behaviours. Changes could include:
The participation of road users, local community members and other stakeholders in the study is essential to determine the future vision for Parkside Drive.
Review existing conditions, identify concerns & priorities
The goal of phase two of consultation is to present to the public a future vision for the road and potential interim improvements for further input.
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