Item - 2021.IE24.13

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, and Waterfront Secretariat, with the assistance of Waterfront Toronto, to accelerate work on a North / South Cycling Connection between Logan Avenue and Leslie Street to allow for additional cycling routes to the waterfront needed as a result of the cycling detour and to report to the October 26, 2021 meeting of Infrastructure and Environment Committee.

2. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, and Waterfront Secretariat, with the assistance of Waterfront Toronto ensure that a safe, separated cycling connection between Logan Avenue and Carlaw Avenue south of Lake Shore Boulevard East has been included by Waterfront Toronto in their Stage 2 plan and to ensure consultation with impacted residents and cyclists ahead of Stage 2 of the Gardiner Expressway construction.

3. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, and Waterfront Secretariat, with the assistance of Waterfront Toronto, to report to the October 26, 2021 meeting of Infrastructure and Environment Committee on Waterfront Toronto and their contractor's delay in completing the cycling detour and the actions taken to remedy and improve the detour since September 3, 2021.

4. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, and Waterfront Secretariat, with the assistance of Waterfront Toronto to report to the October 26, 2021 meeting of Infrastructure and Environment Committee with an updated communications plan that includes a schedule and addresses the issues with the late notifications experienced at the outset of the project.

5. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, and Waterfront Secretariat, with the assistance of Waterfront Toronto, to report to the October 26, 2021 meeting of Infrastructure and Environment Committee with an updated traffic management plan that incorporates the lessons learned from the first two weekend closures and addresses issues raised by residents.

6. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, and Waterfront Secretariat, with the assistance of Waterfront Toronto to review the expected Zone of Influence for noise, any complaints received, and determine if the noise monitoring needs to be expanded and to report back to the October 26, 2021 meeting of Infrastructure and Environment Committee. 

7. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, and Waterfront Secretariat, with the assistance of Waterfront Toronto to ensure there is a designated, on-the-ground, staff person who is monitoring both the cycling detour and work zone to identify and address issues and make adjustments as required for the duration of the project and to report to the October 26, 2021 meeting of Infrastructure and Environment Committee on whether this has been achieved.

8. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, and Waterfront Secretariat, with the assistance of Waterfront Toronto, to ensure that all City of Toronto standards for public notification, cycling safety and pedestrian safety are followed and that regular updates to Transportation Services are provided for confirmation.

9. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, and Waterfront Secretariat, with the assistance of Waterfront Toronto, to begin regular, public reporting of issues identified and the mitigation measures or resolutions.

In response to a request from Council at its meeting on July 14, 2021, this report provides information and updates on a number of matters regarding the reconstruction of Lake Shore Boulevard East from the Don River to Carlaw Avenue, in accordance with the approved Environmental Assessment for the Port Lands Flood Protection project and the Council-adopted Gardiner Strategic Rehabilitation Plan.

As authorized by City Council, Waterfront Toronto is undertaking the project, which includes the reconstruction of the existing Lake Shore Boulevard East Bridge over the Don River, as well as the provision of active transportation and public realm components outlined in the Gardiner East EA.

Information and updates contained in this report includes:

- An update regarding the communication strategy developed and undertaken by Waterfront Toronto related to closures and reduced traffic capacity on Lake Shore Boulevard East, between the Don Roadway and Carlaw Avenue

- A description of traffic impacts and mitigation measures, particularly as they affect businesses and truck movement within the Port Lands and South of Eastern areas, as well as information regarding planned cycling infrastructure along Carlaw Avenue and Commissioners Street

- Further details on the planned cycling infrastructure on Commissioners Street and Carlaw Avenue approved by Council on July 14, 2021 as part of the plan to install temporary cycling infrastructure on Cherry Street, Villiers Street, Saulter Street and Commissioners Street to support Lake Shore Boulevard East Trail and Lower Don Trail Construction Closures and Detour Routes.

The full road closure on Don Roadway, between Lake Shore Boulevard East and Villiers Street will restrict access to Northbound Don Valley Parkway from the Don Roadway. As a result, outbound heavy truck movements in the Port Lands will divert to the adjacent signalized intersections. The truck traffic patterns, impact analysis and traffic mitigation plan for heavy trucks in the Port Lands is detailed in the staff report entitled "Port Lands Flood Protection - Don Roadway - Construction Staging Area" to be considered by Toronto and East York Community Council at its meeting on September 9, 2021.

http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2021.TE27.28