Decisions

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council direct City staff to pursue competitive procurement of daytime curbside collection services in District 2 to ensure collection services continue following the expiration of the current agreement on August 2, 2026.

2. City Council authorize the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to negotiate and enter into any service agreements or amending agreements with any Blue Box Program administrator, and / or their designate, for the City of Toronto to be contracted to provide services, based on terms and conditions outlined in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (March 13, 2024) from the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, for the management of blue box materials at the City's transfer stations until December 31, 2035, on terms acceptable to the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

3. City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to implement curbside collection routing changes as a result of no longer collecting eligible Blue Box materials to re-optimize collection services and to investigate potential efficiencies and synergies within collections and litter operations and return to Council for direction as required.    

4. City Council authorize the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services or their designate to negotiate and enter into any new agreements or amending agreements necessary for the City's continued litter vacuum operations until December 31, 2026, based in part on the recommendations on pricing set out in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (March 13, 2024) from the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, and on terms satisfactory to the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

5. City Council direct that Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (March 13, 2024) from the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, remains confidential in its entirety in accordance with the provisions of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, as it involves a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiation carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the City.

6. City Council communicate to the Premier of Ontario and Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks the following City of Toronto positions with respect to extended producer responsibility under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 and related regulations:

a. Any changes to the legislation and regulations that underpin the delivery, through extended producer responsibility, of the Blue Box program in Ontario should support the Province’s stated commitments to improve recycling rates and reduce the movement of recyclable materials into landfills or the environment as litter;

b. Municipal governments have a strong interest in supporting actions that align with the Province’s commitments as it is the municipal taxpayer who is responsible for the costs associated with any delay in improving Blue Box recycling in Ontario, be it through the management of landfills, composting facilities or public space litter; and

c. Any changes to the legislation and regulations that are under consideration by the Province should be subject to a public and transparent consultation process and be posted on the Environmental Registry so that all interested parties have the opportunity to participate and provide feedback.

7. City Council authorize the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to negotiate and enter into any new agreements, amendments of existing agreements, or acknowledgements, including on the basis of a non-competitive procurement under Municipal Code, Chapter 195, Purchasing, necessary in connection with the efforts to continue provision of Blue Bin material recycling services for non-producer serviced locations (such as City-serviced commercial locations, City facilities, charities, institutions and religious organizations), including advocacy, financial analysis, or waste composition audits on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services and each in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

8. City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee, no later than the third quarter of 2025, on the results of the review and analysis of the potential service delivery options for the City’s integrated litter program operations including:

a. any timelines and recommendations to undertake a managed competition process or directly bring operations in-house for contracted litter vacuum operations; and

b. any timelines and recommendations for changes to the City’s on-street litter bin operations which are currently part of the City’s coordinated Street Furniture Program.
 

9. City Council formally express its commitment to ensuring that any staff currently employed by the City and that may have their positions impacted by the Blue Box transition to extended producer responsibility, will be supported throughout the transition so that they can continue to work for the City of Toronto.
 

10. City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee, no later than the first quarter of 2025 with a comparison of service standards and metrics between districts for daytime, curbside waste collection.

The purpose of this staff report is to provide City Council with an update on the transition of the Blue Box Program to Extended Producer Responsibility, including the City's potential role in the Post -Transition Phase (2026 and beyond).

As directed by Council, staff pursued discussions with Circular Materials for Toronto to continue to provide curbside recycling collection post - transition. These discussions ceased in early 2024 due primarily to Circular Materials' requirement for a cost of service to be provided within their required timeframe, which the City was unable to meet due to upcoming procurements. As a result, Circular Materials confirmed they were not open to further discussions or direct negotiations with the City related to Blue Box collection service post - transition.

In relation to receipt of recycling post - transition, this report provides an update on the bid the City submitted in response to Circular Materials' Request for Proposals for Receiving Facilities (also known as transfer stations). 

Additionally, the report provides an overview of the options analysis undertaken for curbside waste collection in District 2 once the current contract expires in August of 2026 and the recommended path forward. 

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council grant authority to the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to amend Purchase Order Number 6052895 with GHD Limited (GHD) awarded through Request for Proposal Number Doc2659801647 to provide detailed design and construction oversight services to expand the Disco Road Organics Processing Facility (Disco OPF) based on the pricing information presented in the Confidential Attachment to the report (March 13, 2024) from the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services.

2. City Council authorize the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services and / or designate, to negotiate and enter into any new agreements, amendments of existing agreements or related documents - including on the basis of a non-competitive procurement under Municipal Code Chapter 195, Purchasing - necessary to operate, maintain and undertake capital improvements to continue to process organics at the Disco Road Organics Processing Facility, for a term up to an additional five (5) years, based on the pricing information presented in the Confidential Attachment to the report (March 13, 2024) from the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

3. City Council authorize the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, and / or designate, to negotiate and enter into any new agreements, amendments of existing agreements or related documents with CCI Bioenergy Inc. (CCI) to supply a BTA ® Waste Pulper, two (2) anaerobic digester equipment packages and required ancillary equipment to expand the processing capacity of the Disco Road Organics Processing Facility, based on the pricing information presented in the Confidential Attachment to the report (March 13, 2024) from the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

4. City Council authorize the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, and / or designate, to negotiate and enter into any new agreements, amendments of existing agreements or related documents with GHD Ltd. (GHD) to provide engineering design and contract administration services for improvements to the Dufferin Organics Processing Facility, based on the pricing information presented in the Confidential Attachment to the report (March 13, 2024) from the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

5. City Council authorize the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services and / or designate, to negotiate and enter into any new agreements, amendments of existing agreements or related documents - including on the basis of a non-competitive procurement under Municipal Code Chapter 195, Purchasing - necessary to design and supply pre-processing equipment to continue to process source separated organics at the Dufferin Organics Processing Facility, based on the pricing information presented in the Confidential Attachment to the report (March 13, 2024) from the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

6. City Council authorize the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, and / or designate, to negotiate and enter into any new agreements, amendments of existing agreements, or related documents or acknowledgements - including on the basis of a non-competitive procurement under Municipal Code Chapter 195, Purchasing - necessary in connection with the efforts to design, supply, install and operate additional Renewable Natural Gas infrastructure with Enbridge Gas Inc. (EGI) at the Disco Road Renewable Natural Gas facility with a term of fifteen (15) years from the date of total completion of construction estimated to be in the forth quarter of 2029, based on the pricing information presented in the Confidential Attachment to the report (March 13, 2024) from the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services and, if necessary, the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

7. City Council authorize the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services and / or designate, to negotiate and enter into any new agreements, amendments of existing agreements, or acknowledgements - including on the basis of a non-competitive procurement under Municipal Code Chapter 195, Purchasing - necessary in connection with the efforts to produce, manage, market, distribute, use and sell Renewable Natural Gas and other environmental attributes associated with Renewable Natural Gas production, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services and, if necessary, the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

8. City Council direct that the Confidential Attachment to the report (March 13, 2024) from the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, remain confidential in its entirety indefinitely, as it relates to a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the City of Toronto.

The City's Green Bin program helps to keep waste out of landfill by collecting and processing organics from approximately 460,000 houses and more than half of apartment and condominium buildings as well as schools and City-owned buildings. The City of Toronto (City) owns and operates two anaerobic digestion organic processing facilities: the Disco Road Organics Processing Facility and the Dufferin Organics Processing Facility. The Disco Road Organics Processing Facility is designed to process 75,000 tonnes of organics per year and the Dufferin Organics Processing Facility is designed to process 55,000 tonnes of organics per year, for a combined City-owned processing capacity of 130,000 tonnes per year. Solid Waste Management Services is currently collecting between 160,000 and 170,000 tonnes of organics per year and utilizing third-party contractors to process the excess organic waste.

With limited regional organics processing capacity and the need to plan for the growth of Toronto, Solid Waste Management Services identified increased organics processing capacity as a priority and accelerated the planning of a third organics processing facility (construction in 2026 – versus 2036). This initiative was approved by City Council and included within the capital budget.

As part of the planning work for a third facility, various studies were undertaken and it was determined that expanding the existing Disco Road Organics Processing Facility would be the most cost-effective way to increase the City's organics processing capacity versus building a new facility. Expansion of the Disco Road Organics Processing Facility would take advantage of existing infrastructure and known technology, reducing both risk and costs of the project. The expansion will allow the City to increase its organics processing capacity at the Disco Road Organics Processing Facility from 75,000 tonnes per year up to 140,000 tonnes per year.

The purpose of this report is to seek authorities to expedite the expansion of the Disco Road Organics Processing Facility and enhance performance at the Dufferin Organics Processing Facility.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council receive the Annual TransformTO Net Zero Progress and Accountability Report, in Attachment 1 and its related attachments to the report (March 13, 2024) from the Executive Director, Environment and Climate Division, for information.

2. City Council confirm support for a renewed focus and coordinated approach on climate resilience at the City of Toronto.

3. City Council direct the Executive Director, Environment and Climate Division in collaboration with all City Divisions, Agencies, Boards, and Corporations to report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee in the fourth quarter of 2025 with the following:

a. an update on Division, Agencies and Corporations' current activities and future plans where current and future climate conditions are included in their respective infrastructure, operational, policy, and program planning;

b. a refreshed governance approach that integrates climate resilience into decision-making and co-ordination across the services, assets, and communities of the City of Toronto, that builds upon the climate-specific learnings from the City's 2019 Resilience Strategy;

c. a list of climate resilience priorities and recommended next steps based on technical analysis of climate risk that incorporate insights from engagement with internal and external partners; and

d. a discussion of how Indigenous worldviews and relationships with Indigenous communities have been prioritized in climate resilience planning to date.

4. City Council Direct the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, and the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, in collaboration with other Divisions, Agencies, Boards and Corporations of the City of Toronto, to include in the TransformTO Net Zero Implementation Strategy for 2026-2030 a timeline, the resources for, and process for, phasing out the use of fossil gas in all new and existing City-owned facilities by 2040.

5. City Council request that the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with the Toronto Transit Commission, to report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee by the fourth quarter of 2024 on opportunities to improve the speed and reliability of surface transit by reducing hours for on-street parking in the vicinity of construction-related lane restrictions.

6. City Council request the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, to report back on existing resources and potential City measures to support residential homeowners in pursuing energy efficient and net zero renovations, as part of reporting on the development of emissions performance standards for existing buildings in the fourth quarter of 2024.

This report offers a comprehensive update on climate change. It highlights the progress made in mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2040 (with full details in the attached Annual TransformTO Net Zero Progress and Accountability Report) and proposes a renewed focus and coordinated approach to building resilience to a changing climate within the City of Toronto.

Impacts of the changing climate

Toronto is experiencing weather that is hotter, wetter, and wilder, and these conditions are expected to worsen. The number of days per year with temperatures above 30°Celsius (extreme heat days) has already increased from an average of 8 days in the 1950s to about 18 days per year now. Data suggests that if global emissions remain on their current path this could increase to 29 days by the 2030s (2021-2050), and 54 days by the 2060s (2051-2080)1. As well, data suggests that by 2080 Toronto will experience an increase in annual precipitation of 19 percent, and extreme rainstorms with 30 percent more rainfall than the historical baseline (1971-2000), which are expected to lead to flooding and associated infrastructure damage, injuries, habitat degradation, degraded water quality, soil erosion and disruptions to services and the economy.

Over the past year, extreme heat, wildfire, flooding, and storm events in Toronto, across Canada, and globally further illustrated how harmful and costly these events can be to residents and the assets and services that support them. The impacts of climate change also amplify existing socio-economic vulnerabilities and inequities, unfairly affecting people who already have challenges coping.

The City's focus to date has been to do its share to respond to a global call to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and avoid harmful temperature rise. A second but no less important stream of City responsibility is to steadily build Toronto's resilience and readiness at a local level to respond to the day-to-day exposure of Torontonians living in an increasingly unpredictable climate.

Progress towards achieving net zero emissions

The City's efforts to mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions are detailed in Attachment 1: Annual TransformTO Net Zero Progress and Accountability Report. This new annual report format offers a comprehensive and accessible view of City-led Greenhouse Gas reduction actions, highlighting the progress midway through the City's first Short-Term Implementation Plan (2022-2026) with respect to the critical steps needed to achieve net zero.

The City is leading at the cutting - edge of work to reduce emissions in Toronto. Key highlights include:

- The Toronto Green Standard which is helping new developments reduce emissions by 15,000 to CO2e per year,

- City-led work to develop Emission Performance Standards for existing buildings that will help align business and household decisions with a transition to technologies like heat pumps that run on clean electricity, and

- Greening the Corporate fleet with emissions on pace for the 45 percent emission reduction target by 2025 and TTC planning for a zero-emissions bus fleet by 2037 – three years ahead of schedule.

Additionally, a summation of Toronto's 2024 budget commitments shows that while Toronto’s actions are making a positive difference, the goal of net zero emissions by 2040 is at risk unless the City, other levels of government, residents and businesses support and invest in transformative actions that meet the scope and scale of the climate challenge.

The report also highlights how the City can tackle the biggest source of Greenhouse Gas emissions – fossil (natural) gas for heating buildings – by moving forward with Emission Performance Standards for every building in Toronto which will be outlined in further detail later in 2024. Additional opportunities to accelerate progress will be presented in Toronto's next 2026 - 2030 Net Zero Strategy Short-term Implementation Plan, due in 2025.

Full details on progress implementing the Net Zero Strategy and new Carbon Accountability measures can be found in the attachments to this report.

Increasing Readiness for Climate Change

As the climate changes, Toronto strives to remain a livable and vibrant City for all. While many divisions are already doing important work to reduce risks from climate change, the potential for climate change to negatively affect the City and its residents is clear.

The City of Toronto does not currently have a Council-adopted climate resilience or adaptation plan; however, consistent with recommendations from the Resilience Strategy, Environment and Climate is restarting city - wide discussions on resilience by establishing a new role to coordinate climate resilience planning and action in a unified way, city-wide, starting with proposing a refreshed governance approach.

In 2022-2023, a new team was established within Environment and Climate to specifically support climate resilience. During Fall 2023, Environment and Climate led inter-divisional discussions and workshops with 21 divisions and agencies to identify the current status of climate resilience work across the city and map out priorities for addressing climate risks now and in the future.

An outcome of this work identified the benefit of establishing centralized, refreshed guidance on climate resilience that builds on past work, incorporates up-to-date information, aligns us with peer cities, and protects vulnerable people. Four priority areas for action surfaced: (i) clear direction to address climate resilience as a priority (ii) an approach that will prioritize Indigenous worldviews, relational views of land protection and Indigenous community leadership to enhance climate resilience, (iii) more access to evidence, information, expertise, and advice to guide the City's priorities and actions, and (iv) development of a clear framework, mandate and objectives for addressing climate impacts at a City-wide level.

It should be noted however, that while Environment and Climate is well - positioned to coordinate and support climate resilience city - wide, each division, agency and corporation will need to play a leadership role to integrate climate considerations into their own policies, programs, and activities.

As part of this work, Environment and Climate will be collecting and analysing local evidence and data which is fundamental to the work of collective and divisional resilience planning. A climate risk and vulnerability assessment will meet this need, generating updated, local, future climate projections for the City and identifying the people, assets, and services, including natural systems, that are most vulnerable to climate impacts. This additional work scope, which will conclude in early 2025, will help prioritize potential adaptation actions and support recommendations for how to best minimize impacts to residents, many of whom are already disproportionately impacted by climate change.

To clarify the financial risks facing Toronto from climate change and provide context to the costs of adaptation, the City is partnering with the new Ontario Resource Centre for Climate Adaptation (ORCCA) to estimate the cost of inaction. In 2020, Toronto reported that four rainstorm, ice storm, and high lake / windstorm events directly cost the City a combined $228 million dollars between 2005-2017 while a recent study done in Ontario estimated that a proactive adaptation approach would save $1.1 billion dollars per year in climate costs by the end of the century, compared with paying for the damage inflicted by those same impacts retrospectively.

A detailed evaluation of our progress to net zero by 2040 and a renewed focus on coordinating climate resilience activities that builds on data about future climate, risks, and costs will together shape critical actions and next steps that will prepare our city government, our economy, our ecosystems, our communities, and our residents for a changing climate.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:  

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

a. Ferrand Drive from Rochefort Drive (west) to Rochefort Drive (east) and at Eglinton Avenue East, uni-directional cycle tracks and contra-flow bicycle lanes at Eglinton Avenue East;

b. Rochefort Drive from Don Mills Road to Deauville Lane, uni-directional cycle tracks;

c. Deauville Lane from Rochefort Drive to St Dennis Drive, uni-directional cycle tracks;

d. Galloway Road from Guildwood Parkway to Dearham Wood, bicycle lanes;

e. Dan Leckie from Queens Quay West to Queens Wharf Road, bi-directional cycle tracks;

f. Portland Street from Queen Street West to Front Street West, bi-directional cycle tracks;

g. Silverthorn Avenue from Rogers Road to Lane North St Clair East Cloverdale, contra-flow bike lanes;

h. Rockwell Avenue from Silverthorn Avenue (west branch) to Silverthorn Avenue (east branch), bi-directional cycle tracks;

i. Blackthorn Avenue from Rogers Road to Rockwell Avenue, contra-flow bicycle lanes;

j. Pine Street (west side) from Wright Avenue to Church Street, bicycle lanes, and Pine Street (east side) from Wright Avenue to King Street, bicycle lanes;

k. Richmond Street from Augusta Avenue to Portland Street, bi-directional cycle tracks; and

l. Jones Avenue from Queen Street to Dundas Street, 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, 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 (December 21, 2023) from the General Manager, Transportation Services, and that such by-laws submitted be made permanent on November 1, 2027.

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 authorize an all-way compulsory stop control at the intersection of Rochefort Drive and Ferrand Drive (west leg).

5. City Council authorize an all-way compulsory stop control at the intersection of Ferrand Drive (west leg) and Seaton Park Road.

6. City Council authorize an all-way compulsory stop control at the intersection of Ferrand Drive (west leg) and Windom Road.

7. City Council authorize a compulsory stop control for westbound traffic on Helen Avenue at Blackthorn Avenue.

8. City Council reduce the speed limit from 40 kilometres per hour  to 30 kilometres per hour on Pine Street from Wright Avenue to Church Street.

9. City Council reduce the speed from 40 kilometres per hour to 30 kilometres per hour on Ferrand Drive from Rochefort Drive to Deauville Lane.

10. City Council reduce the speed from 40 kilometres per hour to 30 kilometres per hour on Rochefort Drive from Don Mills Road to Deauville Lane.

11. City Council reduce the speed from 40 kilometres per hour to 30 kilometres per hour on Deauville Lane from Rochefort Drive to Grenoble Drive.

12. 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 (March 13, 2024) 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 2024 to 2025 and by-law accuracy.

13. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to continue with the planned delivery of sidewalks on:

a. Edgebrook Drive (south side from [30 metres West] Bankfield Drive to Bankfield Drive);

b. Fishleigh Drive (south side fronting Scarborough Heights Park);

c. Mayfield Avenue (south side from Armadale Avenue to Willard Garden Parkette);

d. Rannock Street (north side from Craigton Drive to [15 metres East] Rannock Street);

e. Sorauren Avenue (east side of fronting 239 Sorauren Avenue).

14. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, as part of the Dan Leckie-Portland Cycling Connections project included in Infrastructure and Environment Committee Recommendations 1e., 1f., and 1k., to conduct analysis of the new configuration after a standard review period, along with potential impacts on Front Street, Bathurst Street and Spadina Avenue, and publish data including multi-modal volumes and make recommendations to implement adjustments to the project if necessary, in consultation with the local Councillor.

15. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to review, to consider, and prioritize the construction of a sidewalk on Howden Road from Lawrence Avenue East to Laura Secord Walk and Laura Secord Walk from Howden Road to Birchmount Road and to provide recommendations to the Ward Councillor that include potential delivery timelines.

This report seeks City Council authority to install bikeway projects identified in the Cycling Network Plan as well as Missing Links Sidewalk Projects.

Cycling Network Plan Projects

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 were proposed to be installed in the near term (2022-2024) and for which design and consultation have now been completed.

This report seeks Council authority to install 5.8 centreline kilometres (km) of new bikeways associated with five projects on the following streets:

- Ferrand Drive Area Safety Improvements

- Ferrand Drive: Rochefort Drive (west) to Rochefort Drive (east) and at Eglinton Avenue East (cycle tracks and contra-flow bike lanes, Ward 16)

- Rochefort Drive: Don Mills Road to Deauville Lane (cycle tracks, Ward 16)

- Deauville Lane: Rochefort Drive to St Dennis Drive (cycle tracks, Ward 16)

- Galloway Road Sidewalks and Cycling Connections

- Galloway Road: Guildwood Parkway to Dearham Wood (bike lanes, Ward 24)

- Portland-Dan Leckie Cycling Connections

- Dan Leckie Way: Queens Quay West to Queens Wharf Road (cycle tracks, Ward 10)

- Portland Street: Queen Street West to Front Street West (cycle tracks, Ward 10)

- Silverthorn Cycling Connections

- Silverthorn Avenue: Rogers Road to Lane North St Clair East Cloverdale (contra-flow bike lanes, Ward 9)

- Rockwell Avenue: Silverthorn Avenue (west branch) to Silverthorn Avenue (east branch) (cycle tracks, Ward 9)

- Blackthorn Avenue: Rogers Road to Rockwell Avenue (contra-flow bike lanes, Ward 9)

- Weston Cycling Connections

- Pine Street: Wright Avenue to Church Street (bike lanes, Ward 5)

Further, this report seeks Council authority to make by-law amendments associated with improvements to 0.5 centreline km of existing bikeways on the following streets:

- Richmond Street: Augusta Avenue to Portland Street (uni-directional cycle tracks to bi-directional cycle tracks, Ward 10)

- Jones Avenue: Queen Street to Dundas Street (bicycle lanes to cycle tracks, Ward 14)

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 sightlines, 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, new sidewalk installations, pedestrian head starts 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:

- Danforth Avenue: Main Street to Victoria Park Avenue (bicycle and traffic and parking, Ward 19)

- Deauville Lane (bicycle and traffic and parking, Ward 16)

- Hibernia Avenue at Laughton Avenue (traffic and parking, Ward 9)

An additional report is anticipated for Cycling Network Plan projects in the third quarter of 2024.  

Missing Links Sidewalk Projects

The Missing Sidewalk Installation Program seeks to provide safe, comfortable, and accessible sidewalks on all public streets. Transportation Services reviews opportunities to install sidewalks on all roadway classifications through bundling with other state-of-good-repair roadway or utility work, as well as stand-alone delivery, as a fundamental objective of the Vision Zero 2.0 Road Safety Plan.

In July 2019, Council requested that sidewalk proposals not otherwise delegated to the

General Manager, Transportation Services, or those requested by a Member of Council, be reported on an annual basis to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee for recommendation to City Council. This report recommends the installation of sidewalks on the following local roads:

- Edgebrook Drive from [30 metres West] Bankfield Drive to Bankfield Drive (south side, Ward 1);

- Fishleigh Drive fronting Scarborough Heights Park (south side, Ward 20);

- Mayfield Avenue from Armadale Avenue to Willard Garden Parkette (south side, Ward 4);

- Rannock Street from Craigton Drive to [15 metres East] Rannock Street (north side, Ward 21); and

- Sorauren Avenue fronting 239 Sorauren Avenue (east side, Ward 4).

A map of the cycling network and sidewalk projects proposed in this report is included as Attachment 1 and 2, respectively.  

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council endorse, in principle, the Under Gardiner Public Realm Plan, Attachment 4 to the report (March 13, 2024) from the Interim Chief Planner and Executive Director City Planning, the General Manager, Transportation Services, the Acting General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture.

2. City Council direct the Interim Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, the General Manager, Transportation Services, the Acting General Manager, Parks Forestry and Recreation and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, and the General Manager, Toronto Shelter and Support Services, to establish an interdivisional advisory committee, with representation from The Bentway Conservancy and the Province, to provide guidance on the development of an implementation strategy for projects along the Under Gardiner corridor (from Dufferin Street to the Don River), identified in the Under Gardiner Public Realm Plan, including identification of near-term priorities, a prioritization framework to support the long-term vision, a guide for implementation partnerships, funding strategy and a resource for reviewing future development applications along the corridor, which in the case of City financial contributions, will inform future budget submissions for relevant City Divisions.

The Bentway Conservancy ("The Bentway") and the City have collaborated to provide a vision for underutilized public space under and adjacent to the F.G. Gardiner Expressway ("the Gardiner") in the City of Toronto's downtown core. The findings of this work are summarized below and attached to this report as the Under Gardiner Public Realm Plan. The Under Gardiner Public Realm Plan supports the City's Central Waterfront Secondary Plan and the Downtown Parks and Public Realm Plan where key policies in the "Shoreline Stitch" are to improve north-south connections to the waterfront, as well as east-west linkages between the Fort York National Historic Site and the Don River Valley.

City Divisions including Transportation Services, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, City Planning, and Economic Development and Culture have been working closely with The Bentway in response to a Member's Motion from 2020 (MM24.18), requesting that the City review how The Bentway’s Under Gardiner proposals align with City plans, policies and programs, and report on how implementation could be realized through planning and development applications / approvals, rehabilitation / maintenance programs related to City roads, sidewalks and related infrastructure, and capital programs related to public realm improvements.

The Under Gardiner Public Realm Plan is a collaboration that was developed between the City's Divisions and The Bentway, and through extensive public consultation. The Under Gardiner Public Realm Plan provides a public realm vision with recommendations for "baseline" improvements that will provide a cohesive public realm; where residents and visitors could encounter amenities such as pedestrian lighting, public wi-fi, accessible seating, wayfinding and public art. Ideas for site specific improvements have also been included in the plan that respond to various qualities and features of the lands under and adjacent to the Gardiner. City staff, working with The Bentway, will develop an implementation strategy for the plan, including a prioritization framework and funding strategy. Further study is required to confirm the details of the proposed improvements and their feasibility and to integrate further public input. Council approvals, including any City finding contributions approved through the annual budget process, will be sought as necessary once feasibility is confirmed in order to advance detailed design and implementation. The implementation plan would be structured as a rolling near - term implementation plan, allowing for the flexibility to add and prioritize projects as opportunities arise and available funding is allocated.

The Under Gardiner Public Realm Plan is consistent with the vision for public realm improvements for Lake Shore Boulevard East Public Realm Plan that was developed along with the Gardiner East Environmental Assessment, and aligned with current City policies, plans, guidelines, and strategies, including: the City of Toronto's Official Plan (Central Waterfront Secondary Plan and Downtown Plan), the Vision Zero Road Safety Plan, Toronto's Public Art Strategy, Visitor Economy Strategic Directions 2023-2028, TransformTO Net Zero Strategy, and Complete Streets Guidelines. The City's downtown core has been growing and moving organically towards Toronto's waterfront. Investment in the Gardiner and surrounding public spaces present an opportunity to further connect the downtown to the waterfront.

The Gardiner Expressway Strategic Rehabilitation Plan that was approved by Council is underway. As part of the "Ontario - Toronto New Deal", the City of Toronto is working with the Provincial government on the upload of the Gardiner. The City has communicated the Under Gardiner Public Realm Plan to the Province, and preserving the public realm and programming as part of the upload is a priority for the City.

The Under Gardiner Public Realm Plan provides both a vision as well as an inventory of strategies, identification of opportunity sites and potential interventions to improve public space underneath and adjacent to the Gardiner that can be implemented over time, as opportunities and funding become available. This joint effort will guide public and private investment in the public realm in the underutilized spaces underneath the Gardiner and be structured to be implemented following rehabilitation work that is required for the Gardiner.

The General Manager, Transportation Services recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the continuation of the closure of the south sidewalk and a 2.1 metre-wide portion of the eastbound curb lane on Broadway Avenue, between a point 110 metres west of Redpath Avenue and a point 53 metres further west, from March 28, 2024 to December 31, 2025 inclusive.

2. City Council direct the applicant to continue to pressure wash or sweep (weather permitting) the construction site and adjacent sidewalks and roadways daily, or more frequently as needed to be cleared of any construction debris and made safe.

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

4. City Council direct the applicant to continue 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 continue to install appropriate signage and converging mirrors to ensure that pedestrian, cyclist and motorist safety is considered at all times.

6. City Council direct the applicant to continue to provide a sufficient number of traffic control persons as determined by the Work Zone Traffic 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.

7. City Council direct the applicant to continue to provide a sufficient number of pay-duty Police Officers as determined by the Work Zone Traffic 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.

8.  City Council direct the applicant to continue to install cane detection within the covered and protected walkway to guide pedestrians who are visually impaired.

9.  City Council direct the applicant to continue 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.

10.  City Council direct the applicant to continue 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.

11.  City Council direct that Broadway Avenue be returned to its pre-construction traffic regulations when the project is completed.

This report is submitted to Infrastructure and Environment Committee as Broadway Avenue forms a shared boundary between the Toronto and East York Community Council and the North York Community Council.

Times Group Corporation is constructing two 45-storey residential towers at 55-65 Broadway Avenue.  The south sidewalk and a 2.1 metre-wide portion of the eastbound curb lane on Broadway Avenue, between a point 110 metres west of Redpath Avenue and a point 53 metres further west is currently closed for construction staging operations. City Council, at its meeting on June 8, 2021, approved the subject construction staging area on Broadway Avenue from June 14, 2021 to December 31, 2022.  At the time, the developer indicated they would require the staging area for a total of 55 months, from June 14, 2021 to December 31, 2025.  As the previous permit was only approved for a 19 month period, the developer has requested an extension of the duration of the construction staging area on Broadway Avenue.

Transportation Services is requesting authorization to extend the duration of the construction staging area on Broadway Avenue for an additional 22 months, from March 28, 2024 to December 31, 2025, to allow for the construction of the development to be completed.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. Received the report (March 13, 2024) from the General Manager, Transportation Services, for information.

This report provides an update on the progress of work prepared to date by Transportation Services to revise its Major Snow Event Response Plan, formerly known as the Extreme Winter Weather Plan.

The purpose of this Major Snow Event Response Plan is to describe how Transportation Services will address weather events which result in significant snow accumulation beyond what Toronto normally experiences. This accumulation creates obstructions in the right of way, primarily due to insufficient snow storage capacity. Storms of this kind have a much greater impact on the transportation infrastructure, and by extension the public, and such events can not be fully addressed within the Council-approved levels of service for a normal snowfall. Recovering roads, sidewalks and other infrastructure after these major events requires extensive snow removal activity in addition to typical salting and plowing.

In recent years, enhancements have been made to the winter services program for typical snow events, to incorporate the City’s equity and accessibility goals, reflect new and different types of infrastructure, and maintain a rapidly expanding cycling network. The City’s approach to major snow events needs to be modernized in the same way to address the changing needs of the City and its residents. The Major Snow Event Response Plan does not address the City’s entire response to extreme winter weather that can include one or a combination of freezing rain or ice precipitation, flash flooding, flash freezes, high winds, extreme cold temperatures, and/or any of these combined with snow. Snow event response forms one area of action under Toronto Emergency Management’s Extreme Winter Weather Coordination Plan.

Since the major storms in January 2022 and March 2023, Transportation Services has created some new processes for a major snow event, including earlier preparation and more frequent release of communications to the public; creating new protocols with 311 that ensure winter maintenance teams can best focus on priority areas but also assist residents with time-sensitive emergency needs; and updating the PlowTO website to provide residents with an alternative to 311 for information about the snow clearing activities.

Work to update the Major Snow Event Response Plan began in 2023 with both internal and third-party reviews of existing practices, and a review of best practices in other jurisdictions. More detailed analysis continues to review levels of service, available equipment and staff resources, reassessing priority areas for response, applying lenses of accessibility, equity, and goals in the City’s Vision Zero Road Safety Plan and Net Zero Climate Strategy, and communication strategies. Consultation with selected communities and interest groups will take place in spring 2024, including people with disabilities and people who cycle.  An updated Major Snow Event Response Plan will be presented to Infrastructure and Environment Committee in July 2024 along with the first annual winter maintenance operations update. This plan will be a dynamic document, with review and updates after new major snow events to iteratively drive continuous improvement.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that: 

1. City Council request that the General Manager, Transportation Services, as part of the approved Superior Avenue: Mimico Neighbourhood Mobility Plan project, implement adjustments to the project design based on new public feedback that continues to support reducing motor vehicle speeds and includes the addition of on-street parking; and after a standard review period, publish before and after motor vehicle speed data and to implement safety adjustments to the project if necessary, in consultation with the local Councillor.

The residents of Superior Avenue have brought a petition to the attention of my office regarding the on-street redesign work on the portion of Superior Avenue between Lake Shore Boulevard West and Stanley Avenue. They have voiced important and reasonable concerns regarding the design and consultation process and have organized to urge the local Councillor to champion new design options for this portion of roadwork. The project was approved through City Council as part of IE4.3 Cycling Network Plan - 2023 Cycling Infrastructure Installation - Third Quarter Updates, prior to the community engagement for the Mimico Neighbourhood Mobility Plan.

I have met with the residents to discuss options and worked closely with City staff assigned to this project to propose solutions based on their input and consultation.