Installation of Speed Humps - Elm Ridge Drive,
from Bathurst Street to William R. Allen Road
(North Toronto)
The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (December2, 1998) from the
Director, Transportation Services, District 1:
Purpose:
To reduce the speed of traffic on Elm Ridge Drive from Bathurst Street to William R. Allen Road by the introduction of
speed humps.
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
Recommendation:
(1)That approval be given to alter sections of the roadway on Elm Ridge Drive, from Bathurst Street to William R. Allen
Road for traffic calming purposes as described below, 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:
"The construction of speed humps on Elm Ridge Drive, from Bathurst Street to William R. Allen Road, generally as
shown on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5265, dated September 1998";
(2)That the speed limit be reduced from 40 km/h to 30 km/h on Elm Ridge Drive between Bathurst Street and William R.
Allen Roadway coincident with the implementation of speed humps; and
(3)That the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect to the foregoing
including the introduction in Council of any Bills that may be required.
Comment
At the request of North Toronto Ward Councillors Anne Johnston and Michael Walker, and area residents, a staff
investigation was conducted to determine the feasibility of installing speed humps on Elm Ridge Drive from Bathurst
Street to William R. Allen Road to reduce the speed of motor vehicles.
Elm Ridge Drive is a collector street with a two-way operation, a daily traffic flow of about 4,500 vehicles and a speed
limit of 40 km/h. The pavement width varies from 8.5 m to 10.4 m in the sections with no median while in the sections
with a median, each roadway is approximately 5.5 m wide. Parking is permitted on the south side of Elm Ridge Drive
from the North Toronto ward boundary to Marwood Road (except on the William R. Allen Road bridge) and from
Burmont Road to Manitou Boulevard. Parking is not permitted at any time on either side of Elm Ridge Drive from
Bathurst Street to Manitou Boulevard. In general, parking supply is unaffected by the installation of speed humps.
Elm Ridge Drive, for the most part, consists of very short blocks (in the order of 90 metres in length). The exception to
this is the block between Manitou Boulevard and Lawnhurst Boulevard which is about 190 metres in length. An 85th
percentile speed (the speed exceeded by 15% of the traffic) is 47 km/h. I note that the block between Manitou Boulevard
and Bathurst Street which is slightly longer than the typical block (about 110 metres) has an 85th percentile speed of 42
km/h.
To be consistent with the former City's Speed Hump Policy, one speed hump per block could be installed on the short
blocks, and two on the Manitou Boulevard/Lawnhurst Boulevard block. The proposed locations for these speed humps are
shown on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5265, dated September 1998. Six humps are proposed on the undivided
roadway sections of Elm Ridge Drive, plus another four humps at two sections where there is a median.
It is not advisable to install speed humps on the bridge over the William R. Allen Road because of the potential for
structural damage to the bridge. Speed humps are also not proposed west of the bridge at this time. I note that the land use
east of the bridge is predominantly single family dwellings whereas west of the bridge it is mainly apartment buildings.
In light of the above and the apparent support for the proposal evident at a public meeting of November 26, 1998, hosted
by the Elm Ridge Drive Traffic Committee, it is recommended that residents be polled to determine the amount of
community support for speed humps as outlined above. The poll should be conducted of adults (18 years and older) of
households directly abutting the affected portions of the street. At least 60% of valid responses should support the plan in
order to authorize the installation. The final decision rests with City Council.
One of the concerns of residents from neighbouring streets in the area is whether or not traffic volumes on their streets will
be impacted because of traffic diversion from Elm Ridge Drive. Studies conducted so far on Glengrove Avenue (where 10
speed humps were installed in July 1998) suggest that there is minimal, if any, diversion of traffic with the introduction of
speed humps. Traffic volumes will be monitored closely on Ridelle Avenue and Briar Hill Avenue to establish whether
any traffic increases occur due to the installation of speed humps on Elm Ridge Drive. If remedial action is required one
option would be to install speed humps on Ridelle Avenue and Briar Hill Avenue.
The changes proposed to Elm Ridge Drive as set out above constitute alterations to a public highway 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 are being advised of the proposal to ensure that the proposal does not unduly
hamper their operations.
This project is pre-approved in accordance with Schedule A of the Class Environmental Assessment for Municipal Roads
Projects.
Contact Name and Telephone Number
Michael J. Harris, Transportation Planner, 392-7711
The Toronto Community Council also submits the following communication (November27,1998) from Councillor
Walker, addressed to the Director, Infrastructure Planning and Transportation, City Works Services:
Last night I attended a meeting for all residents on Elm Ridge Drive (Bathurst Street to Newgate Road) that was well
attended. At this meeting Mr. Mike Harris presented a Speed Hump proposal to the residents. There was overwhelming
enthusiasm from the members of this street to proceed as soon as possible with the installation of these devices and a
unanimous vote was taken to request that a poll be taken on their street as soon as possible.
Mr. Harris at the meeting suggested that it would be feasible to have this item brought before the next Toronto Community
Council on December 9, 1998. Therefore, I am requesting that you expedite this process.
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The Toronto Community Council reports, for the information of Council, having also had before it during consideration of
the foregoing matter, a communication (December 6, 1998) from Dr. Stephen Abrams, Ms. Rosetta Rutman and Mr. A.
and Ms. J. Braun, enclosing petitions from 156 residents of Elm Ridge Drive and 292 residents of the North West Forest
Hill neighbourhood and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk.
Insert Table/Map No. 1
Elm Ridge Drive
