Item - 2022.TE32.103

The Toronto and East York Community Council:

1.  Requested that the General Manager, Transportation Services prepare a neighbourhood mobility plan for the Asquith-Collier neighbourhood, bounded by Bloor Street, Mount Pleasant Boulevard, Rosedale Valley Road, Park Road, Collier Street, Church Street, and Yonge Street, with consideration of both existing conditions and anticipated future conditions, to determine what changes to the streets may be appropriate to improve the safety and mobility of all road users.

Residents in the area bounded by Bloor Street, Mt. Pleasant Boulevard, Rosedale Valley Road, Park Road, Collier Street, Church Street, and Yonge Street, or summarized as the Asquith-Collier Neighbourhood have raised a number of concerns as it relates to the safety of vulnerable road users coming through this busy, construction filled area.

The issues that have been regularly raised concern drivers speeding at off-peak times, and stand-still traffic at peak times, dangerous movement of vehicles and the volume created by current road alignment, general parking availability, and people parking their vehicle illegally. Residents are concerned that the influx of multiple, new, high density residential buildings will work create a hazardous experience in the area as more residents will be using the sidewalks and road infrastructure. Having City staff work to review current conditions, anticipate future needs and suggest potential recommendations to alleviate pressures and make the area safer would be a step to get ahead of the forthcoming issues.

My office has been hosting regular meetings with the local area residents, and forwarding their concerns to staff, but the types of interventions that residents are looking to take hold cannot be addressed by painting a new line on the road, or adding another sign. The movement of traffic in particular needs to be approached holistically. Without a neighbourhood-wide plan through this integral junction for the City's traffic movement, we risk creating further issues when we attempt to solve the problems individually.