Item - 2022.EX34.35

The Executive Committee:

1. Directed the General Manager, Transportation Services, and the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services to report to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee in the third quarter of 2023 with a progress update on preserving accessibility in construction zones, including the following:

a. a detailed summary of consultation activities undertaken and feedback received from individuals and organizations in the accessibility community regarding barriers posed by construction zones on city sidewalks;

b. a detailed summary of outreach and education activities undertaken, and planned for later in 2023, with the construction industry regarding the preservation of accessibility in construction zones;

c. the results of the review of the City's Standards for Designing and Constructing City Infrastructure, specifically the TS1.00 Construction Specifications for Maintenance of Traffic; and

d. the status of implementing the proposed improvements as outlined in the presentation from City Staff to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee on June 13, 2022.

Construction in the public right-of-way has significant impacts on the experience of pedestrians and people with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by obstruction of sidewalks, pedestrian crossings and unclear routes through construction areas. Feedback from people with disabilities demonstrates barriers to mobility are frequently found in areas with construction activities. The Executive Committee requested this Report on the tools and strategies the City currently uses to ensure accessibility in the public realm surrounding private development as well as capital City projects.

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) legislates that accessible routes must be provided when sidewalks are disrupted; this is the responsibility of all constructors in the City and is reiterated in construction contracts and Street Occupation Permits. Other standards and guidelines at the provincial and city level, provide further detail about how AODA requirements can and must be met in construction zones.

A permit from Transportation Services must be obtained by any constructor that plans to disrupt the public right-of-way, whether the work is on behalf of the City, Metrolinx, utility companies or private developers. A Traffic Control Plan is required with permit applications and must be approved prior to start of construction. Methods of permit oversight and enforcement vary, depending on type of construction. It is not possible to proactively inspect every project but the City has and will continue to take measures to improve the quality and consistency of outcomes for pedestrians with disabilities.

A range of improvement measures have been undertaken in recent months. For example, Engineering & Construction Services which delivers most of the municipal capital works within the municipal right-of-way on behalf of other City Divisions and the TTC has recently provided training to nearly 250 staff including inspectors, engineers, project managers, is undertaken independent site audits and enhancing project-specific contract requirements for accessibility.

Work planned for the coming months by ECS, Transportation Services and Toronto Water includes further training, review and updating of standards and guidelines, consultation with stakeholders in the construction industry, and community surveys of people with disabilities to gain deeper understanding of barriers.

The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee considered Item DI21.4 and made recommendations.