Port Union Road Improvements

August 2022: Geotechnical Investigations

Borehole geotechnical investigations will take place on Port Union Road between Island Road and Lawrence Avenue from August 18 to September 2, 2022. Vehicle Traffic in the work zone will be restricted to one lane in each direction. Pedestrian Traffic to be safely maintained at all times, on the existing sidewalk around the construction activities.

April 2022: Construction Schedule Update

Additional geotechnical investigations are needed before work begins. This site work is planned for Summer 2022.

The relocation of Toronto Hydro infrastructure is anticipated to start in Spring 2023 along with the road reconstruction.

November 2021: Project Update Meeting

A Virtual Project Update Meeting was held on November 30, 2021.

Please see Port Union Road Virtual Public Information Event Presentation and the Port Union Road Roll Plan for property specific details.

July 2021: Enbridge Gas Main Relocation

Enbridge has completed relocating a gas main on Port Union Road between Ravine Park Crescent and Conference Boulevard. This work was completed on July 30, 2021.

Vehicular Traffic Improvements

• Widening of Port Union Road to allow a new northbound lane
• Centre-turn lanes and narrower lane widths to improve road safety
• New asphalt on the roadway
• Traffic signal updates
• Speed limit reduction to 50km/hr

Pedestrian Improvements

• New and wider sidewalks on both sides of the street
• Accessible pedestrian crossings with tactile plates
• Raised crosswalks and corner radii reductions to improve pedestrian safety
• Formal bus stops with shelters integrated with the design of cycle tracks

Cycling Improvements

• Raised cycle track on both sides of the street

Infrastructure Improvements

• Updated street lighting and hydro poles
• Upgraded water service connections and stormwater drainage

For further details on the improvements, please see Port Union Road Virtual Public Information Event Presentation and the Port Union Road Roll Plan for property specific details.

Reducing Speeding and Traffic Volumes on Tilley Drive

In October 2021, Scarborough Community Council (SC31.22) directed the City to investigate measures to reduce the speed and volume of motor vehicle traffic on Tilley Drive that could be implemented as part of the Port Union Road Improvements Project.

City staff recommended restricting vehicles from travelling east and west through Port Union Drive between Tilley Drive and the entrance to the Ravine Park Plaza at all times of day (bicycles excepted). This measure will reduce the potential for cut-through traffic on Tilley Drive while also providing efficient traffic operation on Port Union Road. However, the measure will also restrict area residents from going straight from Tilley Drive to Ravine Park Plaza.

Staff also reviewed closing the Tilley Drive access to Port Union Road. This was not recommended as it does not conform with the City’s Official Plan requirements to protect and develop the City’s network of streets and ensure the associated rights-of-way are not closed to public use. Closing Tilley Drive would also require a cul-de-sac or “hammer-head” turn-around for garbage trucks, winter maintenance, and emergency vehicles, and the potential need to expropriate residential property on Tilley Drive.

Additional Road Safety Measures

In addition, several improvements are included in the design for the project that have the potential to reduce traffic speeds and infiltration into residential areas, including Tilley Drive, and improve visibility of pedestrians and cyclists. At Tilley Drive and Port Union, this includes:

• new raised pedestrian crossings setback from Port Union Road;
• reduced curb radii reductions; and
• curb extensions.

City staff will monitor conditions after the completion of the Port Union Road Improvements project to determine if additional traffic calming measures are necessary.

The Environmental Assessment (EA) for this project was planned and approved in 2004. A subsequent EA Addendum (update) was completed in 2014, approved in 2015 and made changes to the original study design in order to reduce property and community impacts.

Original Environmental Study Report (2004)

This Environmental Assessment Study was completed in early 2004 and identified a preferred design which included:

• An additional northbound lane on Port Union Road from Lawrence Avenue East to Island Road
• A continuous centre left-turn lane on Port Union Road from Winter Gardens Trail to Island Road
• A landscaped centre median on Port Union Road from Lawrence Avenue East to Winter Gardens Trail
• Bicycle lanes on both sides of the road from Lawrence Avenue East to Island Road
• Additional turn lanes at the intersection of Kingston Road and Port Union Road
• Complete sidewalks on both sides of Port Union Road

Environmental Assessment Addendum (2014)

The Addendum (update) to the 2004 ESR was approved by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) in August 2015.

In consultation with the community as directed by City Council in 2004, the preferred design has been modified in order to reduce property and other impacts to the community, and to meet current City standards and practices. The updated preferred design provides the same level of service as the original design, but includes the following changes:

• Length of landscaped median reduced (now between Lawrence Avenue East and Clappison Boulevard only)
• Section of centre left-turn lane removed south of Josaly Drive
• Private property no longer required
• Bike lanes widened from 1.5 metres to 1.8 metres

To view the Environmental Assessment Addendum Report, contact Steven Ziegler at 416-392-2896 or Steven.Ziegler@toronto.ca.

Field Investigations (2017)

The City conducted field investigations including a survey of the area and analysis of soil samples in various locations along Port Union Road to confirm ground conditions. Based on the results, the City is developing the project design.

Detailed Design (2017 – 2021)

The City completed the detailed design, utility relocations and secured easements. In the summer of 2021, the detailed design was updated to accommodate additional safety improvements including a raised cycle track, curb extensions with reduced corner radii, setback raised pedestrian crossings and speed limit reduction to 50km per hour.