The City of Toronto is proposing to install cycling infrastructure on The Esplanade and Mill Street. A number of options will be developed and presented to the community for feedback and input. A final recommendation is planned for submission for approval to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee and City Council in spring of 2021, followed by implementation in late 2021.
This work is part of Cycling Network Plan Update approved by City Council in July, 2019 which builds on the Ten-Year Cycling Network Plan to connect, grow and renew cycling infrastructure across the City. The Network Plan includes both a long-term overall proposed network and three-year Near-Term Implementation Program. Please visit the Cycling Network Plan and map of existing bike routes for more information.
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The personal information on this form is collected under the authority of the City of Toronto Act, 2006. The information is used for follow-up communications and future consultation opportunities regarding this project. Questions about this collection can be directed to Tracy Manolakakis, Manager, Public Consultation Unit at 416-392-2990 or tmanola@toronto.ca.
Stakeholder and public consultation is being planned for fall 2020. Please subscribe for our e-updates to stay informed.
North-south bikeways on streets like Cherry, Berkeley, Church, Scott and Yonge Streets are being considered as potential future connections to The Esplanade and Mill Streets. They are not considered as part of the scope for this project.
The ActiveTO Quiet Streets program on The Esplanade and Mill Street is coming to a close. Quiet Streets provided shared space to enable people to maintain physical distancing while walking, running, using wheelchairs and biking. The feedback collected from the survey for The Esplanade and Mill Street will help inform this cycling infrastructure project.
Project staff were available at the September 26 public consultation for the revitalization of David Crombie Park. Display boards and a feedback form were shared, as well as an online link to the form to circulate. The feedback form was open until October 11, 2019. Please view the summary of all feedback.
The Cycling Network Plan Update was approved by City Council in July 2019. This plan builds on the Ten Year Cycling Network Plan with a strengthened focus on safety and equity, and includes a long-term overall proposed network and three-year Near-Term Implementation Program.
The neighbourhoods located near The Esplanade and Mill Street have seen an increase in activity, including new construction and more people walking and biking. These two streets already provide key connections to cycling routes, but need improvement to attract people of all ages and abilities to feel comfortable using them.
In addition to cycling improvements, recent traffic counts and observations have identified the following local concerns that this project will also address:
Options for cycling infrastructure and traffic changes is planned to be developed and presented to the public for feedback and input in late fall 2020. Based on feedback received, Staff plan to submit a final recommendation to the Infrastructure & Environment Committee and City Council for approval in 2021. If approved, installation will be scheduled to start in late 2021. The schedule for the installation of cycling infrastructure and associated traffic changes will be dependent on the requirements of the recommendation.
One of the project goals is to complete installation of any improvements prior to construction impacts related to the nearby bridges that cross the Metrolinx Rail Corridor (Lake Shore East line) as part of the Union Station East Corridor Expansion. The other project goals include:
Community residents, businesses and organizations will be invited to a public consultation event in late 2020 to learn and comment on the proposed options and the criteria that will be used to evaluate the options. Please sign up by email to receive project updates
The City will be considering the following types of cycling infrastructure:
The available roadway width may be impacted in order to install cycling infrastructure. The change in width may impact other uses of the road for things such as parking and truck travel. On narrower roads, street parking (On-Street Permit and/or Pay & Display) may need to be removed or relocated in order to accommodate cycling infrastructure.
In conjunction with cycling infrastructure implementation, traffic flow modifications may also be necessary in order to help improve safety for people who walk and cycle.
Motor vehicles changes may include:
Options will also consider potential impacts to:
One project goal is to improve the cycling connection from downtown Toronto to neighbourhoods east of the Don River.
The Esplanade and Mill Street provide a key east-west connection to the following popular bike routes:
The Esplanade and Mill Street would also serve as a detour route for people cycling during Metrolinx bridge construction by connecting Sherbourne Street to Yonge Street and Cherry Street Bike Lanes, and the Martin Goodman Trail.
The short URL for this webpage is toronto.ca/EsplanadeMill