Item - 2025.IE19.1

The General Manager, Transportation Services recommends that:  

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

a. Bathurst Street from Steeles Avenue to Bainbridge Avenue and Raoul Wallenberg Road, uni-directional cycle track and multi-use trail;

b. Bedford Road: Prince Arthur Avenue and Bloor Street West, uni-directional cycle track;

c. Ellesmere Road from Orton Park Road to Kingston Road, uni-directional cycle track and multi-use trail;

d. Ontario Street from Wellesley Street East to Prospect Street, contra-flow bicycle lane;

e. Wallace Avenue from Lansdowne Avenue and St. Clarens Avenue, contra-flow bicycle lane;

f. St. Clarens Avenue from Dupont Street to Wallace Avenue, contra-flow bicycle lane;

g. Emerson Avenue from Dupont Street to Bloor Street West, contra-flow bicycle lane;

h. Millicent Street from Emerson Avenue to Dufferin Street, contra-flow bicycle bicycle;

i. Hallam Street from Dufferin Street to Bartlett Avenue, uni-directional cycle track, and

j. York Gate Boulevard from Jane Street to the Finch Hydro Corridor, uni-directional cycle track.

2. City Council delegate, despite any City of Toronto By-law to the contrary, to the General Manager, Transportation Services, until December 31, 2027, 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 (February 12, 2025) from the General Manager, Transportation Services, and that such by-laws submitted be made permanent on December 31, 2027.

3. City Council authorize the removal of the compulsory stop control at Millicent Street and Dufferin Street and the addition of Millicent Street into the existing traffic control signal at Dufferin Street and Hallam Street.

4. City Council authorize the installation of a traffic control signal at the intersection of Bathurst Street and Cocksfield Avenue.

5. City Council authorize the installation of a traffic control signal at the intersection of Bathurst Street and Reiner Road.

6. City Council authorize compulsory stop control for southbound bicycle traffic on St. Clarens Avenue at Lappin Avenue.

7. City Council authorize compulsory stop control for southbound bicycle traffic on St. Clarens Avenue at Wallace Avenue.

8. City Council authorize compulsory stop control for northbound bicycle traffic on Emerson Avenue at Dupont Street.

9. City Council authorize compulsory stop control for northbound bicycle traffic on Emerson Avenue at Lappin Avenue.

10. City Council authorize compulsory stop control for northbound bicycle traffic on Emerson Avenue at Millicent Street.

11. City Council authorize compulsory stop control for northbound bicycle traffic on Emerson Avenue at Armstrong Avenue.

12. City Council authorize compulsory stop control for westbound bicycle traffic on Millicent Street at Emerson Avenue.

13. City Council amend traffic and parking regulations required in Chapter 950, as generally described in Attachment 3 - Technical Amendments to the report (February 12, 2025) from the General Manager, Transportation Services, for previously approved projects by City Council for by-law accuracy.

14. City Council approve one (1) new temporary position to oversee a study to examine redesign options to improve the operation of the Eglinton Avenue West and Allen Road intersection and associated projects as directed by Council in MM26.12 on February 5, 2025, with the duration of the temporary position to be up to two years in length be added to the 2025 Operating Budgets of Transportation Services as follows: $98,000 gross, and $0 net, all funded in the 2025-2034 Capital Budget and Plan for Transportation Services.

15. City Council request the Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services, and the General Manager, Transportation Services, as part of the Ellesmere Complete Street project included in Recommendations 1c above to:

a. review opportunities to stage the implementation of the Ellesmere Complete Street project to give installation priority for the Military Trail and Ellesmere Road intersection, and prioritize summer construction recognizing the large numbers of students that cross at this intersection; and,

b. review opportunities to minimize bollards, and where needed ensure that they are of high quality and aesthetic design.

This report seeks City Council authority to install bikeway projects identified in the Cycling Network Plan Near-Term Implementation Program (2025-2027). The Cycling Network Plan and the associated Near Term Implementation Plan adopted by City Council in June 2024 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 or under construction in the near term (2025-2027), for which design and consultation have been completed. No motor vehicle travel lanes are proposed to be removed within this report.

This report seeks Council authority to install 12.5 centreline kilometres (km) of new bikeways associated with six projects on the following streets:

- Bathurst Complete Street:

- Bathurst Street: Steeles Avenue West to Bainbridge Avenue and Raoul Wallenberg Road (cycle track and multi-use trail, Wards 6 and 18) 

- Bedford Road: Prince Arthur Avenue and Bloor Street West (cycle track, Ward 11)

- Ellesmere Complete Street:

- Ellesmere Road: Orton Park Road and Kingston Road (cycle track and multi-use trail, Wards 24 and 25)

- Ontario Street: Wellesley Street East and Prospect Street (contra-flow bicycle lane, Ward 13)

- Wallace Emerson Neighbourhood Streets Plan:

- Wallace Avenue: Lansdowne Avenue and St. Clarens Avenue (contra-flow bicycle lane, Ward 9)

- St. Clarens Avenue: Dupont Street and Wallace Avenue (contra-flow bicycle lane, Ward 9)

- Emerson Avenue: Dupont Street and Bloor Street (contra-flow bicycle lane, Ward 9)

- Millicent Street: Emerson Avenue and Dufferin Street (contra-flow bicycle lane, Ward 9)

- Hallam Street: Dufferin Street and Bartlett Avenue (cycle track, Ward 9)

- York Gate Cycling Connections:

- York Gate Boulevard: Jane Street to Finch Hydro Corridor (cycle track, Ward 7)

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 defined 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 sightlines, adjustments or addition of accessible loading areas, and similar modifications.

The changes proposed as part of the projects identified above would improve both 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, new sidewalk installations, pedestrian head start signals, and motor vehicle lane adjustments.

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

- Sheppard Avenue East: Kenneth Avenue to Bayview Avenue (traffic and parking; Ward 18)

- Old Weston Road at Rockwell Avenue (traffic and parking; Ward 9)

This report also seeks to remove the cycling prohibition bylaw on the Glen Road Pedestrian Bridge (Wards 11 and 13). The bridge has been widened to support cycling and pedestrian activity and therefore the prohibition is no longer needed.

A map of the Cycling Network projects proposed in this report is included as Attachment 1.

This report seeks approval to implement a number of bikeway projects that were identified in the Council adopted 2021 Cycling Network Plan Update that are proposed to be installed in the near term (2025-2027), as a fundamental objective of the Council-adopted Vision Zero 2.0 Road Safety Plan.

The estimated cost to implement the bikeways recommended in this report is $28,500,000. Funding is available for these capital projects, categorized as a service improvement and enhancement, in the 2025-2034 Capital Budget and Plan for Transportation Services.

The bikeways proposed in the Cycling Network Plan will require ongoing maintenance once constructed. Maintenance services will include winter maintenance and street sweeping based on approved service levels in the 2025 Budget for Transportation Services. The annual funding for these maintenance activities will be included in the appropriate future years' Operating Budget submissions for Transportation Services.

In addition, the report requests approval for one (1) new temporary full-time equivalent position to be added to the 2025 Operating Budget for Transportation Services to oversee a study to examine redesign options to improve the operation of the Eglinton Avenue West and Allen Road intersection and associated projects. This position along with associated 2025 pro-rated costs of $98,000 gross and $0 net (with annualized 2026 costs estimated at $168,000 gross and $0 net), will be fully funded in the 2025-2034 Capital Budget and Plan for Transportation Services.

The removal of approximately eight (8) Pay and Display on-street parking spaces is proposed in this report as part of the Bathurst Complete Street project would decrease Toronto Parking Authority annual gross revenue by an estimated $2,000. Replacement Pay and Display spaces are being sought nearby on Transwell Avenue and Kenton Drive, which would further offset the decreased revenue.

Costs to implement on-street paid parking changes, including the relocation of Pay and Display machines as well as programming of any rate / hour of operation changes, are estimated at $1,500.

The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial implications as contained in the Financial Impact Section.