Item - 2024.IE10.2

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:  

1. City Council authorize the installation of the following bikeway projects on:

a. Champagne Drive from Chesswood Drive to Finch Avenue West, uni-directional cycle tracks;

b. Alness Street from Finch Avenue West to Finch Hydro Corridor, uni-directional cycle tracks;

c. University Avenue from 150 metres south of King Street to 150 metre south of Wellington Street, uni-directional cycle tracks;

d. Richmond Street from Strachan Avenue to Niagara Street, contra-flow bike lane;

e. Dundas Street East from Broadview Avenue to West Avenue, uni-directional cycle tracks;

f. Dundas Street East from Logan Avenue to Pape Avenue, uni-directional cycle tracks;

g. Hoskin Avenue from Queens Park Crescent West to St George Street, uni-directional cycle tracks; and

h. Harbord Street from St George Street to Ossington Avenue, uni-directional cycle tracks.

2. City Council delegate, despite any City of Toronto By-law to the contrary, to the General Manager, Transportation Services, until November 1, 2025, for the purposes of implementing and then addressing operational and safety issues that may arise in relation to the projects identified in Recommendation 1, the authority to implement changes and process and submit directly to Council any necessary bills for by-law amendments to the schedules to City of Toronto Code Chapters on the streets and within the parameters as identified in Attachment 2 to the report (December 21, 2023) from the General Manager, Transportation Services, such the by-laws submitted be made permanent on November 1, 2025.

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

4. City Council amend cycling, traffic and parking regulations required in Chapter 886, Chapter 903, Chapter 910 and Chapter 950, as generally described in Attachment 3 - Technical Amendments to the report (December 21, 2023) from the General Manager, Transportation Services, for previously approved projects by City Council that have been enacted in phases aligned with the timing of implementation of the appropriate segments of the respective projects over 2022 to 2023 and by-law accuracy.

The Cycling Network Plan and the associated Near Term Implementation Plan, adopted by City Council in December 2021 seeks to build on the existing network of cycling routes to Connect gaps in the current network, Grow the network into new parts of the city, and Renew existing parts of the network to improve safety. Through this report, Transportation Services is seeking authority for bikeway projects that are proposed to be installed in the near term (2022-2024) for which design and consultation have been completed.

This report seeks Council authority to install 1.5 centreline kilometres (km) of new bikeways on the following streets:

- Champagne Drive: Chesswood Drive to Finch Avenue West (cycle tracks, Ward 6)

- Alness Street: Finch Avenue West to Finch Hydro Corridor (cycle tracks, Ward 6)

 - University Avenue: 150 m from current terminus south of King Street to south of Wellington Street (cycle tracks, Ward 10)

- Richmond Street: Strachan Avenue to Niagara Street (contra-flow bike lanes, Ward 10)

Further, this report seeks Council authority to make by-law amendments associated with improvements to 3.5 centreline kilometres of existing cycling infrastructure on the following streets:

- Dundas Street East: Broadview Avenue to West Avenue (bike lanes to cycle tracks, Ward 14)

- Dundas Street East: Logan Avenue to Pape Avenue (bike lanes to cycle tracks, Ward 14)

- Hoskin Avenue: Queens Park Crescent West to St George Street (bike lanes to cycle tracks, Ward 11)

- Harbord Street: St George Street to Ossington Avenue (bike lanes to cycle tracks, Ward 11)

As part of this report, Transportation Services is continuing to utilize the streamlined reporting process for by-law amendment submissions associated with cycling infrastructure projects approved by Council for implementation. Once projects are approved by Council, the streamlined process involves delegation of authority to submit bills directly to Council for a discreet period of time after project implementation which enables Transportation Services to make minor adjustments to constructed conditions without delay and based on local Councillor and public feedback such as parking adjustments to improve sight-lines, adjustments or addition of accessible loading areas, and similar modifications.

The changes proposed as part of the projects identified above would improve safety and mobility options by providing improved cycling connections to transit, parks, local schools, businesses, and residences. Pedestrian improvements have also been included in the projects, wherever feasible, including curb extensions and new sidewalk installations, and motor vehicle lane adjustments.

Finally, this report seeks to make minor housekeeping amendments to existing bikeways and their associated traffic and parking by-laws on the following streets:

- Bloor Street West (bicycle and traffic and parking, Ward 3 and 11)

- Bartlett Avenue (traffic and parking, Ward 9)

- Temperance Street (bicycle and traffic, Ward 10)

- Shaw Street (bicycle and traffic and parking, Ward 11)

- The Esplanade (bicycle and traffic and parking, Ward 10 and 13)

- Wilmington Avenue (parking, Ward 6)

- Yonge Street (traffic, Ward 11 and 12)

An additional report is anticipated for 2024 projects in the second quarter of 2024. A map of the bikeway projects proposed in this report is included as Attachment 1.