Yonge Street Median Construction,

North York Boulevard to Ellerslie Avenue.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee recommends:

(1)the adoption of the following report (May 26, 1998) from the Interim Functional Lead, Transportation; and

(2)that the General Manager, Transportation Services, be requested to meet with officials from the Toronto Transit Commission with respect to Phase 3 of the median extension, Sheppard Avenue to Highway No. 401:

Purpose:

The purpose of this report is to obtain Council authority for the construction of a landscaped median along the centre line of Yonge Street, between North York Boulevard and Ellerslie Avenue and to advertise the required construction by-law.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

It is estimated that the cost of the median will be approximately $1.4 million including public art, construction, design fees, project administration fees and contingencies. Funds for this project are available in Account No. 005 313 7106 which holds development charges collected for streetscaping in the Yonge Street corridor.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)authority be given to proceed with the construction of a landscaped median along the centre line of Yonge Street between North York Boulevard and Ellerslie Avenue;

(2)the existing two-way left-turn designation for the centre left turn lane on Yonge Street between Sheppard Avenue and Parkview Avenue be rescinded;

(3)the appropriate City of Toronto By-law(s) be amended accordingly; and

(4)the introduction of any Bills be authorized.

Background:

In 1988, the architectural firm of Moriyama and Teshima developed a streetscape concept for Yonge Street in the North Yonge Centre area which was adopted by North York Council in 1990. As part of this concept, a central landscaped median on Yonge Street was approved and detailed traffic analysis and design were subsequently undertaken to develop the project details. The first phase of the Yonge Street median, between Greenfield Avenue/Elmhurst Avenue and North York Boulevard was completed in the fall of 1992.

Since its implementation six years ago, the landscaped median has had beneficial affects on the street by reducing the hazard of pedestrian crossings by creating a mid-point refuge island, and by creating a green space in the downtown area.

On the basis of this success and as part of the City Centre review, the former City of North York approved a recommendation that the centre median be extended approximately 600 metres to cover the full length of the City Centre area.

Public Involvement:

A community meeting was held on May 7, 1998, after approximately 2,000 notices were distributed to residents and businesses from Sheppard Avenue to Church Avenue and from Tamworth Road to Willowdale Avenue. The project was well-received by those in attendance and no major concerns were raised.

Scope of Work:

The new construction will extend the existing median north from North York Boulevard to Ellerslie Avenue. Construction of the median includes planters, integrated public art, paving, curbs, planting and electrical conduit for future lighting on the median. The provision of the median allows for the reorientation of the traffic lanes to provide a wider curb lane than exists today. This will allow cyclists to use the curb lane with greater ease.

The maintenance of plant material will be the contractor's responsibility for the first two years after implementation. Once the planting is well established, the Parks and Recreation Division of the Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department which is presently responsible for the existing median, will take responsibility for the maintenance of the new project.

To construct these improvements, the following work will be undertaken:

(a)construction of a 3.2 metre wide landscaped concrete median, which will include tree planters and a public art component; and

(b)roadway cuts to provide irrigation and power supply to the median.

No relocation of utilities or traffic signal plant is required.

Since the median will occupy the space currently designated as centre two-way left turn lane, it is appropriate to rescind the existing turning lane designation.

The project will be tendered in mid-July 1998, with construction beginning in mid-August 1998.

Conclusion:

On the basis of the benefits to the street and the community of the median constructed six years ago, it is desirable to extend the Yonge Street median to the north. This project, when completed, will improve the pedestrian environment, contribute to the greening of the downtown area and improve curb lane widths, benefitting cyclists. Funds for the construction of the median have been provided from development charges collected in the North Yonge Centre area.

Contact Name:

Ms. Kathleen Llewellyn-Thomas, Manager, Project Planning and Design, 392-8590, Fax:  392-4426.

(A copy of the location plans, which were appended to the foregoing report, has been forwarded to all Members of Council with the agenda of the June 15 and 16, 1998 meeting of the Urban Environment and Development Committee, and a copy thereof is also on file in the office of the City Clerk.)