Wellington Street West, south side, between Yonge Street and

Bay Street, east side, between Front Street West and

Wellington Street West - Provision of on-street

loading zones for disabled persons (Downtown)

The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (June 2, 1998) from the Director, Infrastructure Planning and Transportation, City Works Services:

Purpose:

This proposal is intended to keep the areas fronting the pedestrian entrances to Premises No. 181 Bay Street (Bay Wellington Tower, BCE Place) clear of vehicles and to enhance pick-up/drop-off opportunity for disabled persons.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Not applicable.

Recommendations:

(1)That a disabled persons loading zone be established on the east side of Bay Street, from a point 87.0 metres north of Front Street West to a point 9.5 metres further north;

(2)That a disabled persons loading zone be established on the south side of Wellington Street West, from a point 58.2 metres west of Yonge Street to a point 11.0 metres further west; and

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

Comments:

At the request of a representative of The Bay Wellington Tower, BCE Place and in consultation with Downtown Councillor Kyle Rae, Works staff have investigated providing on-street disabled persons loading zones on the south side of Wellington Street West, between Yonge Street and Bay Street and on the east side of Bay Street, between Front Street West and Wellington Street West fronting the pedestrian entrances to Premises No. 181 Bay Street (Bay Wellington, BCE Place) to facilitate Wheeltrans pick-up/drop-off of disabled passengers.

Bay Street is a four lane arterial road operating two-way on a pavement ranging from 20.1 metres to 25.0 metres in width. Stopping is prohibited from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday to Friday on both sides of Bay Street, between Front Street West and Wellington Street West and parking is prohibited at other times. This section of Bay Street is not within the area identified as the Bay Street Urban Clearway (which begins north of Wellington Street West). Wellington Street West, between Yonge Street and Bay Street operates one-way westbound on a pavement width of 12.9 metres and has special peak period streetcar service provided from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Stopping is prohibited from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday to Friday and parking is otherwise prohibited on both sides of Wellington Street West.

A site inspection by Works staff has revealed that delivery vehicles and taxis frequently unlawfully stop or park on the east side of Bay Street, between Front Street West and Wellington Street West, in the vicinity of the pedestrian entrance on the west side of the Bay Wellington Tower and on the south side of Wellington Street West, between Yonge Street and Bay Street, specifically, in the vicinity of the most easterly pedestrian entrance on the north side of the Bay Wellington Tower. Wheeltrans buses must often stop to pick-up/drop-off disabled persons in front of these entrances but frequently cannot gain access to the curb. As a result, they must double-park, at times creating potentially hazardous conditions for moving traffic and embarking/disembarking Wheeltrans passengers.

Given the size of the Bay Wellington Tower (BCE Place) which encompasses 2.6 million square feet and is bounded by Yonge Street, Bay Street, Front Street West and Wellington Street West and the apparent number of Wheeltrans pick-ups/drop-offs required at this premises on a daily basis, two (2) on-street disabled loading zones should be established, specifically:

a) on the east side of Bay Street, from a point 87.0 metres north of Front Street West to a point 9.5 metres further north; and

b)on the south side of Wellington Street West, from a point 58.2 metres west of Yonge Street to a point 11.0 metres further west.

Implementation of this suggestion would discourage unlawful parking in front of the aforementioned pedestrian entrances and would enhance passenger pick-up/drop-off operations for Wheeltrans users at the Bay Wellington Tower of BCE Place. The impact on delivery vehicles and taxi pick-up/drop-off operations at both locations will be negligible.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Curt Russell, 392-7771