Item - 2020.EY15.16

Etobicoke York Community Council recommends that:

1.  City Council direct the Director, Transportation Services, Etobicoke York District, to remedy the bus pad noise issue in front of 1493 Royal York Road.

2. City Council request the Director, Transportation Services, Etobicoke York District, to reconsider any future installations of grooved surface finish in a traffic lane, within the Etobicoke York district.

I would like to request that the following item be added to the Etobicoke York Community Council Agenda.

A resident in Ward 2 Etobicoke Centre reported in January 2020 that there was undue traffic noise as a result of the recently installed grooved concrete bus pad on the West side of Royal York Road, located in the Northbound lane at the intersection of Trehorne Drive. The bus pad is mostly located in the vehicle travelled portion of the lane, which is different than the Southbound bus pad which is in a dedicated recessed bus bay. The bus pad is in front of two homes.

Transportation staff conducted a comprehensive investigation and determined that noise is produced when the grooved concrete is driven over with a vehicle tire while travelling in the lane. This feature of the concrete surface is built to the latest City's specifications TS 3.4 to improve the skid resistance and to address distortion. No construction deficiency was found on this aspect. I have also been on site and have heard the obvious sound produced by the grooved surface compared to the adjacent smooth lane.

The only course of action to mitigate the sound would be to modify the grooved finishing at this location. In order to preserve the quiet enjoyment of nearby residents of their property, I am making the following recommendations contained in this memorandum.