Item - 2023.NY9.23

North York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council designate the westerly southbound lane on Dufferin Street between Apex Road and a point 30.5 metres north of Lawrence Avenue West as a reserved lane for public transit vehicles at all times.

2. City Council designate the westerly southbound lane on Dufferin Street, between Lawrence Avenue West and a point 30.5 metres north, for southbound right turns only at all times, buses excepted.

3. City Council rescind the parking prohibition in effect at all times on the west side of Dufferin Street, between Wilson Avenue and a point 18.5 metres south of Glencairn Avenue.

4. City Council prohibit stopping at all times on the west side of Dufferin Street, between Apex Road and a point 30 metres north of Lawrence Avenue West.

5. City Council prohibit parking at all times on the west side of Dufferin Street, between Wilson Avenue and Apex Road.

6. City Council prohibit parking at all times on the west side of Dufferin Street, between Glencairn Avenue and a point 260 metres north of Lawrence Avenue West.

Transportation Services is requesting approval, on behalf of the Toronto Transit Commission, to alter Dufferin Street from Lawrence Avenue West to the south side of Apex Road (260 metres) in order to provide a queue-jump lane for through buses. This action will also extend the current southbound lane for southbound right-turning vehicle traffic.

The proposed queue-jump lane on Dufferin Street will improve transit service reliability by allowing the Toronto Transit Commission vehicles (16 buses per hour southbound on Dufferin Street) to bypass general traffic at the intersection of Dufferin Street and Lawrence Avenue West. The change has been evaluated for benefits and impacts as informed by industry standards and criteria established by City and Toronto Transit Commission staff for queue-jump lanes.

This queue-jump lane can be accommodated by minor widening on the west side of Dufferin Street by up to 1.8 metres, adjusting existing lane widths in line with the current City guidelines, and extending existing turn lanes.

These modifications will not result in the loss of any travel lanes. All current lanes will remain and the dedicated left-turn lanes will be maintained.

As the Toronto Transit Commission operates bus service on Dufferin Street, City Council approval of this report is required.