Item - 2024.TE17.22

The Director, Traffic Management, Transportation Services, recommends that:  

1. City Council authorize the closure of the southbound curb lane, the sidewalk, and cycle track on the west side of Queens Park Crescent West, between a point 27 metres south of Hoskins Avenue and a point 110 metres further south, and provision of a temporary pedestrian walkway within the closed portion of the southbound, west side vehicle traffic lane, from December 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025 inclusive.

2. City Council direct the applicant to construct and maintain a protected and unobstructed walkway for all pedestrians, including for those with mobility devices, for the entire duration of the construction staging area permit to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services and ensure it is compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

3. City Council direct the applicant to ensure that the existing sidewalks or the proposed pedestrian walkway have proper enhanced lighting to ensure safety and visibility at all times of the day and night.

4. City Council direct the applicant to clearly consult and communicate all construction, parking and road occupancy impacts with local Business Improvement Areas and resident associations in advance of any physical road modifications.

5. City Council direct the applicant to install appropriate signage and request the applicant to maintain all sightlines to ensure that pedestrians, cyclists and motorists safety is considered at all times.

6. City Council direct the applicant to provide a sufficient number of traffic control persons as determined by the Work Zone Coordinator and the Toronto Police Construction Liaison Officer, on a daily basis to control construction vehicle access and egress to and from the site and maintain a safe environment for the public.

7. City Council direct the applicant to provide a sufficient number of pay-duty Police Officers as determined by the Work Zone Coordinator and the Toronto Police Construction Liaison Officer, during large scale concrete pours and large scale material deliveries to control vehicle access and egress to and from the site and maintain a safe environment for the public.

8. City Council direct the applicant to post a 24-hour monitored construction hotline number on the hoarding board, which must be prominently placed and legible from 20 metres and on all elevations from the construction site.

9. City Council direct the applicant to provide and install public art, including mural artwork, onto every elevation of the hoarding board with adequate spotlighting for night-time illumination, at their sole cost, to the satisfaction of the Ward Councillor.

10. City Council direct the applicant, in consultation with Transportation Services, to maintain any bicycle lanes, and install appropriate signage to inform drivers and cyclists of any changes to the cycling lanes.

11. City Council direct the applicant to cooperate with and provide all necessary assistance to the City Engineers, staff and representatives carrying out operation, maintenance, and construction activities to municipal infrastructure within the vicinity of the construction staging area, and at no cost to the City to remove any staging to accommodate the necessary municipal infrastructure work.

12. City Council direct that Queens Park Crescent West be returned to its pre-construction traffic and parking regulations when the project is complete.

13. City Council direct the applicant to provide monthly community meetings, to discuss any concerns raised by the community.

As Queens Park Crescent West is classified as a major arterial street, City Council approval of this report is required.

Pomerleau Inc. has undertaken a renovations project for the University of Toronto, Hart House academic building at 7 Hart House Circle. The site is located on the west side of Queens Park Crescent West, south of Hoskin Avenue.

Transportation Services is requesting authorization to close the west sidewalk, a portion of the southbound bicycle lane, and one southbound vehicle traffic lane on the west side of Queens Park Crescent West for a period of 13 months, from December 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025, to accommodate a construction staging area.

Pedestrian operations on the west side of Queens Park Crescent West will be maintained in a protected walkway within the closed portion of the existing bike lane. Bicycle lanes on the west side of Queens Park Crescent West will be maintained within the closed portion of the southbound curb lane. The existing bike operations on the east side of Queens Park Crescent West will be maintained.