Item - 2020.TE14.56

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the installation of traffic control signals at the intersection of Dundas Street West and College Street.

2. City Council authorize the closure to vehicular traffic of St. Helen's Avenue between College Street [North] and College Street, as shown in Attachment 1 of the report (February 25, 2020) from the Director, Project Design and Management, Transportation Services.

3. City Council authorize the amendments to traffic and parking regulations set out in Attachment 2 of the report  (February 25, 2020) from the Director, Project Design and Management, Transportation Services.

4. City Council authorize and direct the appropriate City Officials to take the necessary action to give effect to the recommendations above, including the introduction of any Bills that may be required.

As part of the overall state-of-good-repair program, the College Street and Dundas Street West intersection has been programmed for reconstruction in 2020, including the replacement of Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) streetcar track in this area.

The reconstruction project presents an opportunity to make other changes as part of a complete streets approach to improve the intersection for all road users with a focus on vulnerable road user safety.

The purpose of this report is to seek approval from City Council to implement the following improvements to the intersection of College Street, Dundas Street West and St. Helen's Avenue:

A new traffic control signal at the College Street and Dundas Street West intersection; and
Closure to vehicular traffic of St. Helen's Avenue between College Street [North] and College Street.
 

The changes proposed would improve road safety for everyone including shorter crossing distances for people walking, a safe connection between the existing bike lanes on College Street and Dundas Street West for people cycling, as well as improved sightlines and safer motor vehicle turning movements at the intersection of College Street and Dundas Street West.

As the Toronto Transit Commission operates transit service on both College Street and Dundas Street West, City Council approval of this report is required.