Narrowing of the Pavement - Palmerston Avenue (Midtown)

 The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (April 22, 1998) from the Director, Infrastructure Planning and Transportation Division, City Works Services:

 Purpose:

 To authorize the narrowing of the existing pavement on Palmerston Avenue at Bloor Street West to discourage through traffic, decrease pedestrian crossing distances and physically deter the unlawful entry of vehicles into the one-way street.

 Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

 The incremental cost of the Palmerston Avenue pavement narrowing is nominal, as it is being carried out with previously scheduled reconstruction work, which in turn is accommodated within the funds approved under the extended Canada Ontario Infrastructure Works Programme, Account No. 271-716-39223-7FEAT-C1201.

 Recommendations:

 (1)That approval be given to narrow the pavement from a width of 7.28 metres to a width varying from 5.5 metres to 7.28 metres along the east side of PALMERSTON AVENUE from Bloor Street West to 11 metres north of Bloor Street West, as shown on the attached print of Drawing No. SK-2194, dated April 1998"; and

 (2)That the appropriate City Officials be requested to take whatever action is necessary to give effect thereto including the introduction in Council of any Bills that are required.

 Comments:

 The extended Canada Ontario Infrastructure Works Programme approved by the Council of the former City of Toronto last year includes, among other things, the reconstruction of the sidewalks on both sides of Bloor Street West between Bathurst Street and Christie Street. In connection with the ongoing work in this area, Councillor John Adams has requested the installation of a pinch point on Palmerston Avenue just north of Bloor Street West, in a configuration similar to the pinch points installed in 1996 at a number of streets intersecting Bloor Street West between Spadina Avenue and Bathurst Street.

 Palmerston Avenue, from Bloor Street West to London Street, is a one-way southbound residential street with an existing pavement width of 7.28 metres. The speed limit is 40 kilometres per hour. This section of Palmerston Avenue is located in permit parking area >P= with authorized parking on the east side.

 The provision of a pinch point, or minor pavement narrowing to a width of 5.5 metres and corresponding widening of the east sidewalk as shown on the attached print of Drawing No. SK-2194 dated April 1998, will deter the unlawful entry of northbound vehicles, decrease the length of the pedestrian crossing and increase sidewalk/boulevard space. It should be noted that the pavement on this section of Palmerston Avenue is over 90 years old and requires replacement at the Bloor Street West intersection in connection with the ongoing sidewalk reconstruction. As a result, the incremental cost of the minor pavement narrowing is nominal and can be accommodated within the overall project budget.

 This work is pre-approved in accordance with Schedule A of the Class Environment Assessment for Municipal Road Projects.

 The narrowing of the pavement on Palmerston Avenue constitutes an alteration to public highway pursuant to the provisions of the Municipal Act.

 Contact Name and Telephone Number:

John Niedra, Manager of Programmes, 392-7711