Realignment of Intersections - College Street from

Manning Avenue to Bathurst Street (Trinity-Niagara)

The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (February 3, 1999) from the Director of Transportation Services, District 1, Works and Emergency Services:

Purpose:

To authorize a minor realignment of the pavement on College Street between Manning Avenue and Bathurst Street, at intersecting streets, enhance pedestrian amenities through wider sidewalks and boulevards, decrease pedestrian crossing distances, deter the unlawful entry of vehicles onto one-way streets, and facilitate the planting of in-ground trees.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Funds to cover the cost of the reconstruction of the College Street sidewalks and curbs have been accommodated in the Transportation Services 1999 Capital Budget request.

Recommendations:

(1)That approval be given to realign the intersections of College Street with Manning Avenue, Euclid Avenue, Palmerston Avenue, Palmerston Boulevard and Markham Street, described as follows:

(a)The narrowing and realignment of the pavement from a width of 20.3 metres to a width varying from 16.3 metres to 20.3 metres on College Street at various locations from Manning Avenue to Bathurst Street, generally as shown on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5317 dated February, 1999;

(b)The narrowing and realignment of the pavement from a width of 7.3 metres to a width varying from 6.1 metres to 7.3 metres on the east side of Manning Avenue from College Street to 15.0 metres south of College Street, generally as shown on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5317 dated February, 1999;

(c)The narrowing and realignment of the pavement from a width of 7.3 metres to a width varying from 6.1 metres to 7.3 metres on the west side of Euclid Avenue from College Street to 15.0 metres south of College Street, generally as shown on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5317 dated February, 1999;

(d)The narrowing and realignment of the pavement from a width of 7.3 metres to a width varying from 6.1 metres to 7.3 metres on the east side of Markham Street from College Street to 9.0 metres north of College Street, generally as shown on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5317 dated February, 1999; 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 implementation of a revitalization concept for College Street in the vicinity of Bathurst Street has been the subject of considerable discussion between the local merchants, resident groups, the local BIA and City staff since about 1996, at which time the character of the area began undergoing a transformation due largely to the opening of a number of eating establishments, cafes, etc.

College Street from Manning Avenue to Bathurst Street has a pavement width of 20.3 meters and was reconstructed in 1974. The pavement is presently in good condition not requiring any work at this time. The thoroughfare functions as an arterial road and carries TTC streetcar service. The sidewalks on both sides of the street vary in width from 4.0 metres to 5.5 metres, are approximately 40 years old and for the most part are in need of reconstruction.

The current parking regulations on College Street between Manning Avenue and Bathurst Street are as follows:

North Side-One hour metered parking allowed, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday; and

-No Parking Anytime between Markham Street and a point 23.5 metres west thereof.

South Side-One hour metered parking allowed, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday;

-No Parking Anytime between Manning Avenue and a point 23 metres east thereof; and

-No Parking Anytime between Palmerston Avenue and a point 30 metres west thereof.

In 1996, Toronto Hydro completed an extensive underground and conversion program along College Street in the adjoining area between Crawford and Manning Avenues that presented an excellent opportunity for the City to reconstruct the sidewalks in this area and introduce various sidewalk amenities and improvements. This year, Toronto Hydro will also be working within the Euclid-Manning block in the Spring and Summer months. The planned work by both Toronto Hydro (Manning to Euclid) and the City's planned sidewalk work (Manning to Bathurst) presents a good opportunity to address some of the community's needs in a timely and cost effective manner.

The 1999 Transportation Services Capital Programme includes the reconstruction of the sidewalks and curbs on College Street between Manning Avenue and Bathurst Street scheduled to commence in early Fall of this year. The feasibility of providing intersection realignments in connection with programmed work has been assessed with due regard to the functionality of the local streets. Factors considered included traffic operation and direction of flows, on-street parking, pavement width and adjacent land use. The recommended modifications at the intersecting thoroughfares of Manning Avenue, Euclid Avenue, Palmerston Avenue/Boulevard and Markham Street are described in Recommendation No. 1, above, and shown on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5317 dated February, 1999.

College/Manning intersection:

Manning Avenue operates one-way southbound both south and north of College Street. In keeping with the overall objectives of the community initiatives, there is an opportunity to narrow the roadway south of College Street from a width of 7.4 metres to a width of 6.1 metres. Parking is prohibited on both sides of Manning Avenue to the first lane south of College Street and so existing parking regulations on Manning Avenue will not be affected. The realignment along the College Street flankage will be configured in a way so as to maximize metered parking along College Street.

College/Euclid Intersection:

Euclid Avenue operates one-way northbound for that portion south of College Street and in two-way for that portion north of College Street up to the first lane. Euclid Avenue at the south-west corner can be narrowed from 7.3 metres to 6.1 metres without affecting the functionality of the thoroughfare. There is ample opportunity to narrow portions of College Street at all four corners by 2 metres so as to align with existing parking stalls in order that the travelled portion of College Street is not compromised. Consideration on the length of the build-outs took into account TTC operations and local merchant concerns regarding loading provisions. Again, realignment along College Street will be configured in a way so as to maximize metered parking.

College/Palmerston Intersection:

Palmerston Boulevard/Avenue operates two-way both north and south of the intersection at College Street. Given that Palmerston operates in two directions on both sides of this intersection, there is no opportunity to narrow the pavement. There is however opportunity to narrow the College Street pavement to the extent of the existing bike lane, as in other cases above, at all four corners. The lengths of the build-outs were kept to a minimum so as to maximize on-street parking.

College/Markham Intersection:

Markham Street operates two-way south of College Street and one-way southbound immediately north of the intersection at College Street. All four corners can be altered to produce wider sidewalks on the College sides of the street with the lengths of the build-outs kept to a minimum so as to maximize on-street parking.

Consideration will also be given to the planting of trees where permitted by underground utilities and the installation of post and ring bike stands. In addition, the paving of concrete crossing areas across the local streets will be included in the proposed work and none of the proposed work will impact on the existing bike lanes which will only be shifted somewhat while maintaining lane widths. On the basis of the preliminary work done to date, it appears that 20 to 30 new trees could be planted and about 20 bike stands installed, depending on demand.

With respect to on-street parking, the existing configuration and size of parking stalls were re-examined with a view to maximizing available space to produce up to 15 additional parking spaces.

The realignment of the curbs and narrowing of the pavements at the intersections of Manning Avenue, Euclid Avenue, Palmerston Avenue/Boulevard and Markham Street constitute alterations to public highways pursuant to the provisions of the Municipal Act.

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

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

J. Condarcuri, Programmes Engineer

392-7711