Item - 2021.TE24.54

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:  

1. City Council authorize the alteration of Woodbine Avenue, between Kingston Road and the CNR underpass, approximately 137 meters north of Gerrard Street East, generally as shown on "Drawing No. 421G-3853, 421G-3854 and 421G-3855, dated March 2021", attached to the report (March 30, 2021) from the Acting Director, Transportation Services, Toronto and East York District. 

2. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to introduce all possible physical separation for the cycling infrastructure on Woodbine Avenue from Queen Street East to Danforth Avenue such as curbs, bollards and any other suitable measures to improve road safety.

3. City Council reduce the speed limit on Woodbine Avenue from 50 kilometres per hour to 40 kilometres per hour between Lake Shore Boulevard East and O'Connor Drive.

4. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation services to continue monitoring the intersections of Woodbine Avenue at Gerrard Street East and Kingston Road for any signal timing or other modifications required, in consultation with the local Councillor.

5. City Council prohibit stopping from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, except public holidays on the east side of Woodbine Avenue, between a point 9.5 metres south of Heyworth Crescent and a point 16 metres further south, a point 9.5 metres north of Heyworth Crescent and a point 50.5 metres further north, a point 11 metres south of Duvernet Avenue and a point 19 metres further south, a point 10 metres north of Duvernet Avenue and a point 16 metres further north, a point 46 metres north of Duvernet Avenue and a point 14.5 metres south of Burgess Avenue, a point 10 metres north of Burgess Avenue and a point 6 metres further north, a point 10.2 metres north of Cassels Avenue and a point 76 metres south of Gerrard Street East. 

6. City Council authorize the amendment of on-street accessible parking on the east side of Woodbine Avenue between a point 79.5 metres north of Duvernet Avenue and a point 5.5 metres further north in effect at all times, to be in effect from 6:30 p.m. of one day to 3:30 p.m. of the next following day, Monday to Friday, and at all times Saturday and Sunday.

As the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) operates a transit service on Woodbine Avenue, City Council approval of this report is required.

Following extensive public consultation, City Council approved the installation of cycle tracks and bicycle lanes on Woodbine Avenue, between O'Connor Drive and Queen Street East on October 5, 2016.

Transportation Services staff have been requested by the local Councillor to provide a design solution to address concerns of traffic congestion, delays and sightline issues on Woodbine Avenue, between Kingston Road and Gerrard Street East.  Specifically, staff have been requested to prepare a revised design to provide an additional northbound travel lane while maintaining cycling infrastructure and off-peak parking.

While staff do not support the proposed design, every effort has been made to achieve the objectives requested and mitigate risks to the best of our ability.  The design remains sub-standard in a number of areas and therefore, staff does not support the proposed alteration of Woodbine Avenue.