Item - 2025.MM33.5
Tracking Status
- This item will be considered by City Council on October 8, 9 and 10, 2025.
MM33.5 - Protecting Public Investment and Advancing Interim Solutions Along Sheppard Avenue East - by Councillor Shelley Carroll, seconded by Councillor Jon Burnside
- Consideration Type:
- ACTION
- Ward:
- 17 - Don Valley North
* Notice of this Motion has been given.
* This Motion is subject to referral to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee. A two-thirds vote is required to waive referral.
Recommendations
Councillor Shelley Carroll, seconded by Councillor Jon Burnside, recommends that:
1. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services, to suspend the tender and construction of the Sheppard Avenue East Complete Street project elements until such time as the City has received positive written approval from the Ministry of Transportation under the amended Highway Traffic Act.
2. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services, to explore and expedite interim measures to address traffic flow and congestion along the Sheppard Avenue East between Bayview Avenue and Leslie Street to address current conditions until Provincial approval has been received on the Sheppard Avenue East Complete Street project.
Summary
In June 2023, City Council approved the Sheppard Avenue East Complete Street project, which includes road safety improvements, cycle tracks, and public realm upgrades between Bayview Avenue and Leslie Street.
Since then, Bill 212 (Transportation for the Future Act, 2024) has amended the Highway Traffic Act to require “prescribed municipalities,” including Toronto, to obtain approval from the Minister of Transportation before installing bicycle lanes that reduce the number of motor vehicle lanes.
The Province has not yet released regulations outlining the approval process, creating uncertainty about whether the Sheppard Avenue East cycle tracks could proceed as planned or be subject to removal. Proceeding with the tender and construction of this project prior to receiving provincial approval may risk the project being halted or the infrastructure being removed at the direction of the Minister, resulting in wasted public funds and further project delays.