Bathurst Manor Neighbourhood Mobility Plan

Project Area

Background

In 2019, North York Community Council directed City staff to work with the community to develop a comprehensive plan to address community concerns about mobility and safety for road users in Bathurst Manor. City staff have used a holistic approach to assess and manage traffic issues within the neighbourhood. The Bathurst Manor NMP considers all modes of transportation, with an emphasis on improving conditions for vulnerable road users such as seniors, students, pedestrians and people cycling. The final NMP recommend actions related to moto vehicle speed and volume management, and traffic safety conflicts on local streets. NMP recommendations are informed by the City’s Traffic Calming Guide, Vision Zero Action Plan, and Complete Streets Guidelines.

In 2023, the City launched Neighbourhood Streets Plans to make it fair and transparent for neighbourhoods to access City-led, community guided plans for traffic, road safety, and active transportation. The Bathurst Manor NMP is considered and early entrant and model for this new program.

Study Process

The Bathurst Manor NMP will use the following process:

The participation of local residents and stakeholders was essential to identifying appropriate and effective traffic, speeding and road safety improvements for the neighbourhood. Following the first round of consultation, the NMP process identified and implemented 'quick win' improvements supported by the community, such as edge lines and geometric safety improvements. Medium and long-term improvements were then proposed during the second round of consultation for feedback. Staff made final recommendations informed by consultation and these changes were approved at North York Community Council in fall 2023 and spring 2024.

Public Consultation

Phase 1 consultation took place from July 8 to December 1, 2023 and included a Local Advisory Committee (LAC) meeting, virtual public meeting, and interactive online mapping survey, and was promoted by notice distribution and a project webpage. The consultation focused on understanding issues and opportunities for the neighbourhood, and collecting input on proposed short-term actions.

Phase 2 took place from September 13 to October 11, 2023, and included a LAC meeting, online survey, and in-person drop-in event with a presentation and Q&A. It was promoted by a mailed notice and project webpage. The consultation focused on collecting input on other short, medium and long-term improvements for the neighbourhood.

Consultation materials:

• Phase 2 Consultation Report (October 2023)
• Phase 2 Drop-in Event Materials (September 27, 2023)
• Phase 1 Consultation Report  (April 7, 2022)
• Phase 1 Virtual Public Meeting materials (November 17, 2021)

Approved Changes in the Bathurst Manor NMP

On April 2, 2024, North York Community Council meeting approved additional elements of the Bathurst Manor NMP (2024.NY12.14.), including:

• Speed humps on:
  • Codsell Avenue, between Wilmington Avenue and Elder Street
  • Codsell Avenue, between Hove Street and Bathurst Street
  • Purdon Drive, between Evanston Drive and Wilmington Avenue
• Speed limit reduction from 40km/hr to 30km/hr on Overbrook Place, between Wilmington Avenue and Maxwell Street with the installation of speed humps

On November 14, 2023, North York Community Council approved some elements of the Bathurst Manor NMP (2023.NY9.20, 2023.NY9.22) including:

• All-way stop signs at the following intersections:
  • Combe Avenue and Elder Street
  • Clifton Avenue and Elder Street
  • Kennard Avenue and Elder Street
  • Pannahill Road and Elder Street
  • Tillplain Road and Cocksfield Avenue
• A traffic control signal at Wilmington Avenue and Codsell Avenue
• A pedestrian crossover at Wilson Heights Boulevard and Codsell Avenue
• Speed humps on:
  • Cedar Springs Grove
  • Overbrook Place, between Wilmington Avenue and Maxwell Street

Staff reports summarizing recommendations can be found here:

• Bathurst Manor Neighbourhood Mobility Plan (October 2023)
• Pedestrian Crossing Protection Studies – Bathurst Manor Neighbourhood Mobility Plan (October 2023)
• Bathurst Manor Neighbourhood Mobility Plan – Traffic Calming (Speed Humps) Update (March 2024)

Wilmington Avenue and Faywood Boulevard Bikeways

Bike lanes and shared lane markings were installed on Wilmington Avenue and Faywood Boulevard between Finch Avenue West and Wilson Avenue to provide a north-south cycling route in North York that connects six schools, the Finch Trail and numerous community connections. The bikeways also reduced the travel lane widths between Finch Avenue West and Sheppard Avenue West, where there were previous concerns with high motor vehicle speeds.  This route was identified as a priority Major City-Wide Cycling Corridor in Toronto’s Cycling Network Plan.

Buffered and conventional bike lanes were installed on Wilmington Avenue between Finch Avenue West and Sheppard Avenue. Shared lane markings were installed on Faywood Boulevard between Sheppard Avenue and Wilson Avenue, due to width constraints.

In 2023, road resurfacing took place on Wilmington Avenue from Kennard Avenue to Overbrook Place, and from Cavotti Crescent to Finch Avenue West. Sections of damaged curb and sidewalk were also replaced to bring them to a state of good repair.

As part of the road resurfacing project, the following changes were made to Wilmington Avenue:

• Sidewalks were replaced and widened to the City of Toronto accessibility standard of 2.1m, wherever possible
• Existing bicycle lanes were replaced with new pavements markings
• At bus stops, the bike lanes were raised to create an accessible platform for transit users and reducing bus operations and cycling conflicts.
• Existing asphalted boulevards were converted into sod to capture rainwater, reduce the heat-island effect and to enable Urban Forestry to plant trees in the future, where room permits.
• In front of Wilmington Elementary School and Charles H Best Junior Middle School, parking lay-bys for pick up and drop were implemented. In order to create the pick-up and drop-off parking lay-bys without reducing cycling safety, the bike lanes were raised and between the sidewalk and parking lay-bys. Pavement marking and signage were installed to reinforce roles and responsibilities.