Item - 2021.IE20.19
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Infrastructure and Environment Committee on March 23, 2021 and was adopted without amendment.
IE20.19 - Request for a Review of Work Zone Coordination Consultation Practices
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Ward:
- 11 - University - Rosedale
Committee Decision
The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:
1. Requested the General Manager, Transportation Services report to the April 28, 2021 meeting of Infrastructure and Environment Committee with a review of current notification procedures and policies for work on the right-of-way as it relates to Work Zone Coordination, and evaluate the potential to introduce better requirements for notification, including but not limited to:
a. creation of standard notices;
b. electronic distribution of notices to Councillor, Business Improvement Area, and local residents; and
c. physical distribution of notices to local residents.
Origin
Summary
The City of Toronto is still setting records for the number of active construction sites across the world, and in our short history. Along with this construction work comes the need for utilities and other contractors to access our public spaces to ensure we can upgrade, maintain and provide the services to our future and existing residents without interruption.
However, local residents often find themselves waking up to loud drilling or other industrial mechanical sounds outside their windows with limited notice from the contractor that work would be taking place near their homes. This happens on both our less dense residential streets, and areas with more density in areas with apartments and condominiums. Without notice, residents find themselves faced with potentially weeks, or months of planned work, having not learned about it until it has either just begun, or on the verge of beginning.
There is no statutory notice required for Work Zone Coordination, but the residents often look to their municipal government to address their concerns with noise, pollution, safety and cleanliness, many of which could have been resolved with a better notification period. Whether it is the responsibility of the City, or the contractor to deliver the notice, we must have better and enforceable guidelines to ensure residents are made aware of upcoming work in their neighbourhood and inform about concerns that will need to be met by the people doing the work.