Item - 2026.TE28.22

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

1. Toronto and East York Community Council authorize the closure of the south sidewalk on Edward Street, between Chestnut Street and Bay Street, from January 31, 2026 to April 30, 2029, inclusive.

2. Toronto and East York Community Council authorize the closure of the east sidewalk on Chestnut Street, between Edward Street and a point 50 metres south, from January 31, 2026 to April 30, 2029, inclusive.

3. Toronto and East York Community Council authorize the closure of the east sidewalk on Elizabeth Street, between Edward Street and a point 35 metres south, from January 31, 2026 to April 30, 2029, inclusive.

4. Toronto and East York Community Council rescind the existing taxi stand designation for 6 taxicabs in effect at all times on the south side of Edward Street, between Elizabeth Street and Chestnut Street.

5. Toronto and East York Community Council rescind the existing parking prohibition in effect at all times on the south side of Edward Street, between Bay Street and Chestnut Street.

6. Toronto and East York Community Council rescind the existing standing prohibition in effect at all times on the south side of Edward Street, between a point 14 metres west of Bay Street and a point 42 metres further west.

7. Toronto and East York Community Council prohibit stopping at al times on the south side of Edward Street, between Bay Street and Chestnut Street

8. Toronto and East York Community Council rescind the existing standing prohibition in effect at all times on the east side of Chestnut Street, between Dundas Street West and Edward Street.

9. Toronto and East York Community Council prohibit stopping at all times on the east side of Chestnut Street, between Dundas Street West and Edward Street.

10. Toronto and East York Community Council rescind the existing standing prohibition in effect at all times on the east side of Elizabeth Street, between Dundas Street West and Edward Street.

11. Toronto and East York Community Council prohibit stopping at all times on the east side of Elizabeth Street, between Dundas Street West and Edward Street.

12. Toronto and East York Community Council direct the applicant to sweep the construction site and adjacent sidewalks and roadways daily, or more frequently as needed to be cleared of any construction debris and made safe.

13. Toronto and East York Community Council direct the applicant to construct and maintain a fully covered, 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 City engineer and ensure it is compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

14. Toronto and East York Community 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.

15. Toronto and East York Community 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.

16. Toronto and East York Community 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.

17. Toronto and East York Community Council direct the applicant to provide a sufficient number of traffic control persons as determined by the Work Zone Coordinator and 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.

18. Toronto and East York Community Council direct the applicant to provide a sufficient number of pay-duty Police Officers as determined by the Work Zone Coordinator and 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.

19. Toronto and East York Community Council direct the applicant to install cane detection within the covered and protected walkway to guide pedestrians who are visually impaired.

20. Toronto and East York Community 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.

21. Toronto and East York Community 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.

22. Toronto and East York Community 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. More specifically, Transportation Services local road resurfacing and local geometric safety improvements works planned on Elizabeth Street in 2026, and ii) Toronto Water watermain replacement work planned on Edward Street in 2027.

23. Toronto and East York Community Council direct that Edward Street, Elizabeth Street, and Chestnut Street be returned to its pre-construction traffic and parking regulations (except with parking rates and hours of operation being consistent to the rates and hours of operation at the time of completion) when the project is complete.

24. Toronto and East York Community Council direct the applicant to provide monthly community meetings, to discuss any concerns raised by the community.

This staff report is about a matter that Community Council has delegated authority from City Council to make a final decision.

EllisDon is constructing two affordable housing projects: a 44-storey residential tower at 130 Elizabeth Street, and a 16-storey residential tower at 610 Bay Street. The two development sites are located on the south side of Edward Street, between Chestnut Street and Bay Street. To facilitate construction staging operations for the development, Transportation Services is requesting Council authorization to temporarily close the sidewalk at the following locations:

- South side of Edward Street, between Chestnut Street and Bay Street;

- East side of Chestnut Street, between Edward Street and a point 50 metres south, and;

- East side of Elizabeth Street, between Edward Street and a point 35 metres south.

For the duration of the sidewalk closures, pedestrian access along the construction frontage will be restricted. Pedestrians will be redirected to utilize the sidewalk on the opposite side of the roadway at the nearest traffic control signals. The proposed sidewalk closures are required for a period of 39 months, from January 31, 2026 to April 30, 2029.

There is no financial impact to the City. The total estimated fees payable by the Developer, which include the city right-of-way occupation permit fee, and the new Road Disruption Activity Reporting System (RoDARS) - Traffic Management Recovery Fee, amount to approximately $542,000.00. An overview of these fees can be found below.

- Based on the area enclosed and projected duration of the proposed closures on Edward Street, Chestnut Street, and on Elizabeth Street the city right-of-way occupancy permit fees amount to approximately $470,000.00.

- As of April 1, 2025, applicants are subject to the new Road Disruption Activity Reporting System (RoDARS) - Traffic Management Recovery Fee for the temporary closure of a traffic lane. Based on the proposed duration, length, and extent of the proposed sidewalk closures on Edward Street, Chestnut Street, and on Elizabeth Street, these fees amount to approximately $72,000.00.