Item - 2023.TE5.40

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1.  City Council authorize the reduction in the speed limit of all roads designated as major arterials that currently have a speed limit above 40 kilometres per hour down to 40 kilometres per hour within the confines of Ward 4 (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 9 (Davenport), Ward 11 (University-Rosedale), Ward 12 (Toronto-St. Paul’s), Ward 13 (Toronto Centre) and Ward 14 (Toronto-Danforth), excluding Lake Shore Boulevard East, Lake Shore Boulevard West, Bayview Avenue and Don Valley Parkway/Bayview-Bloor Ramp located within the aforementioned Wards, excluding any major arterial roads that bound more than the Toronto and East York Community Council area, and excluding major arterial roads that bound Wards 10 (Spadina-Fort York) or 19 (Beaches-East York).

2.  City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 950, Traffic and Parking, generally as outlined in Attachment 1 to the revised letter (May 17, 2023) from Councillor Gord Perks.

3.  City Council authorize and direct the appropriate City Officials to take the necessary action to give effect to City Council's decision, including the introduction in City Council of any and all Bills that may be required.

In our respective wards, Wards 4 (Parkdale-High Park), 9 (Davenport), 11 (University-Rosedale), 12 (Toronto-St. Paul’s), 13 (Toronto Centre) and 14 (Toronto-Danforth), there are sections of arterial roads that are already 40 km/h due to the proximity to schools or because of the 2016 Council approval of the Road Safety Plan to reduce the number of road fatalities and serious injuries. However, there are still arterial roads that are 50 km/h.

With staff support, we are looking to have all arterial roads, except Lake Shore Blvd, in our wards, be reduced to 40 km/h. The intent of this motion is to improve safety and provide consistency.