Installation of Speed Humps -

Brunswick Avenue from Bloor Street West to Wells Avenue,

and Barton Avenue from Brunswick Avenue

to Albany Avenue (Midtown)

The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (June 23, 1998) from the Director, Infrastructure Planning and Transportation, City Works Services:

Purpose:

To reduce the speed of traffic on Brunswick Avenue and Barton Avenue by the introduction of speed humps on these streets.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Funds to cover the cost of this work in the estimated amount of $15,000 are available under Capital Fund Code No. 296702.

Recommendations:

(1)That approval be given to alter sections of the roadway on Brunswick Avenue, from Bloor Street West to Wells Avenue for traffic calming purposes as described below, with implementation subject to favourable results of the polling of the residents pursuant to the policy related to speed hump installation as adopted by the former City of Toronto Council:

"The construction of speed humps on Brunswick Avenue from Bloor Street West to Wells Avenue, generally as shown on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5229, dated June 1998";

(2)That approval be given to alter sections of the roadway on Barton Avenue from Brunswick Avenue to Albany Avenue for traffic calming purposes by the construction of speed humps at specific locations to be determined by the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services, with implementation subject to favourable results of the polling of residents pursuant to the policy related to speed hump installation as adopted by the former City of Toronto Council;

(3)That the speed limit be reduced from forty kilometres per hour to thirty kilometres per hour on Brunswick Avenue from Bloor Street West to Wells Avenue, and on Barton Avenue, from Brunswick Avenue to Albany Avenue coincident with the implementation of the speed humps; and

(4)That the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to implement the foregoing, including the introduction in Council of any Bills that might be required.

Background:

The review of various traffic management options in the West Annex neighbourhood has been on-going for a considerable length of time. The City Services Committee of the former Toronto Council, at its meeting of June 7, 1995 directed staff to assist a residents' traffic committee in the development of an area plan. Staff have participated with Ward Councillors and concerned residents in attempting to develop suitable options. However, issues emerging in the area resulted in some difficulty in achieving consensus on an area-wide approach, although site-specific measures have been implemented at various locations. In continuing to deal with area concerns in this manner, written complaints of speeding on Brunswick Avenue from residents and their traffic committee have resulted in Brunswick Avenue becoming a focus for introducing measures to reduce the speed of traffic on streets in the area. Likewise, the adjacent section of Barton Avenue is also of concern in this regard.

Comments:

At the request of Councillor John Adams and area residents, a staff investigation was conducted to determine the feasibility of implementing speed humps on Brunswick Avenue from Bloor Street West to Wells Avenue to reduce motor vehicle speeds on this street. A draft plan was presented at a public meeting on June 16, 1998. At this meeting the majority of residents were in favour of modifying the initial plan somewhat, and the one shown on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5229 has emerged to take into account the input received.

Brunswick Avenue is a collector street which operates two-way between Wells Avenue and Lowther Avenue and one-way southbound between Lowther and Bloor Street West. The street has a pavement width of 7.3 m, a speed limit of 40 km/h and carries about 1500 vehicles per day (Wells Avenue to Barton Avenue), 3300 vehicles per day (Barton Avenue to Lowther Avenue) and 1900 vehicles per day (Lowther Avenue to Bloor Street West). Parking is prohibited at anytime on the east side of Brunswick Avenue from Bloor Street West to Wells Street and on the west side from Bloor Street West to a point 38.1 m north thereof between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Parking is restricted to 60 minutes between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on the west side from Bloor Street West to Barton Avenue and permitted up to three hours elsewhere on the west side. The permit parking system is in effect between 12:01 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. from Bloor Street West to Wells Street.

Brunswick Avenue between Wells Avenue and Bloor Street West meets all of the primary criteria for the installation of speed humps as outlined in the former City of Toronto's Speed Hump Policy (adopted by Toronto City Council at its meeting of August 21, 1997). The most recent speed surveys (April 1998) have revealed that the proportions of traffic exceeding the speed limit between Bloor Street West and Lowther Avenue, Lowther Avenue and Barton Avenue and Barton Avenue and Wells Street respectively are 31%, 5% and 37%. I note that the installation of speed humps will not affect the number of on-street parking spaces, as cars can park on speed humps.

Of particular concern to the residents was the traffic speed in front of Tyrrell Park and as noted on the attached diagram one speed hump could be established directly in front of this park. Other speed hump locations were established on the basis of recommended distances between humps and distances from traffic controls. In addition, the geometry of driveway ramps, presence of catch basins and maintenance hole covers and availability of existing poles were taken into consideration. Although the portion of Brunswick Avenue between Lowther Avenue and Barton Avenue has very little speeding, it does have the highest traffic volumes and is close to Loretto College and Private School. It is proposed that a single hump be established in this block. If speed humps are installed, the speed limit on the street would be reduced to 30 km/h.

As stipulated in the policy, once it has been determined that the speed hump installation is technically warranted, a City poll should be conducted of adults (18 years and older) of households directly abutting the affected street, and households on side streets whose only access is from the affected street. The policy notes that 60% of those responding should support the plan in order to authorize the installation.

Based on discussions at the meeting, Councillor Adams has requested that when this poll is conducted, a similar poll be conducted on Barton Avenue for the two blocks between Brunswick Avenue and Albany Avenue to determine if residents there are in favour of having speed humps on their portion of Barton Avenue. At present, field work and technical data have not been obtained for the subject section of Barton Avenue but could be completed before the actual poll and advertising.

The changes proposed to Brunswick Avenue as set out above and to Barton Avenue constitute alterations to public highways pursuant to the provisions of the Municipal Act.

Accordingly, the intent of Council to enact a by-law to authorize any physical changes resulting in the alteration of the pavement configuration must be advertised and subsequently be subject to a public hearing. It is noted that emergency services will be advised of the proposal to ensure that the detailed design does not unduly hamper their operations.

These projects are pre-approved in accordance with Schedule A of the Class Environmental Assessment for Municipal Roads Projects.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Mike Harris, Transportation Planner, 392-7711

(Copy of map attached hereto, is on file in the office of the City Clerk.)