On June 1, 2016 I hosted a joint community consultation with neighbouring City Councillor Mike Layton (Ward 19, Trinity- Spadina) to discuss a proposal to turn Dovercourt Road between Dundas Street West and Queen Street West into a one way road. This proposal came forward as a result of safety concerns on this narrow but busy section of Dovercourt and a petition to turn it into a one-way road.

At the meeting there were some concerns regarding turning Dovercourt into a one-way road, such as traffic spilling onto other neighbourhood streets and increased vehicle speeds as a result of wider lanes. Therefore, City staff will examine a variety of options including speed humps, bollards, textured paving surfaces and other measures to address the safety concerns on this street. We will report back to the community for your input and feedback once a new proposal is developed and I hope to provide an update on the next steps soon. 

In March, many City Councillors & Mayor Tory sent a joint letter to the Federal Minister of Transport Marc Garneau calling for the federal government to take action to improve protection for communities living along commercial rail lines. Our letter proposed several specific actions for the Ministry and Transport Canada to undertake in order to enhance community safety. To read the full letter, please click here.

Minister Garneau has responded to our letter and outlined the current steps and direction his staff and Transport Canada are pursuing with respect to this issue. The Minister outlined the following positive measures the Federal Government is taking.

• Speed restrictions of 40mph and 50mph on freight movements through urban areas.
• Renewed efforts to establishing a communications framework for industry, the regulators and the public that directly engages local communities.
• Review of the DOT-111 phase out period (currently scheduled for completion on May 1, 2017) to assess the potential to accelerate this timeline. 
• As part of new insurance regulations which come into force on June 18, 2016, Railways will now be required to payout compensation to victims of an accident involving crude oil without needing to prove fault or negligence.
• A new industry-financed compensation will be established to fund any claims and costs exceeding a railways insurance levels, in the event of an accident. 
• 2016 Federal budget includes $143 million for increased inspections and first responder training and equipment. 

To read the Minister's full response, please click here.

While these measures represent a decisive start towards establishing sufficient protections for communities along rail lines, I will continue to advocate for further action on this important issue.

The City of Toronto will be performing spring maintenance activities on the Gardiner Expressway as well as demolishing the Dowling Avenue bridge over the expressway starting this Friday. A full closure of the expressway is needed to ensure safety for the public and for the workers involved.

This weekend presents an opportunity for City workers to perform maintenance on the expressway as there are few major events occurring in the downtown core. The Mayor's Road Closures Committee meets monthly to select traffic closure dates with the goal of limiting disruption to motorists.

In order to mitigate traffic congestion associated with the expressway closure, the City will make changes to traffic-signal timing to enhance traffic flow on nearby routes.

The Gardiner Expressway will be closed between Carlaw Avenue and Highway 427/Queen Elizabeth Way from 11 p.m. on Friday, May 13 to 5 a.m. on Monday, May 16 for the maintenance work.

Specific activities that will be undertaken during this closure:

• demolition of the Dowling Avenue bridge that spans the Gardiner Expressway
• resurfacing 2.5 lane-kilometres of roadway
• crack sealing and repair of about 8,900 metres of asphalt surfaces
• 800 square metres of bridge deck repair
• in-depth inspection and chipping of 32 bridges west of Dowling Avenue and 24 bridge sections on the elevated portion of the expressway
• flushing of 120 bridge joints
• cleaning and repair of 600 catch basins, and flushing and inspection of culverts
• shoulder re-grading to restore drainage at several locations
• sign maintenance for entire length of roadway
• maintenance of 20 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras
• inspection and repair of seven overhead signs
• repairs on RESCU vehicle detectors
• repair of approximately 500 metres of guiderail, including end treatments and safety systems
• mechanical sweeping operations and debris removal
• inspection, repair and re-lamping of street lights
• pothole repairs, and
• pavement markings.

Motorists can use Lake Shore Boulevard, the Queensway, King Street, Bloor Street and Evans Avenue as alternative routes during the weekend closure.   

The work schedule for the project on Lake Shore Boulevard between York Street and Rees Street has been adjusted so all westbound lanes of traffic can re-open during the full closure of the Gardiner Expressway. The lane reductions currently in effect at that section of Lake Shore Boulevard will go back into effect at 5 a.m. on Monday, May 16.

The City has a web-based map to help residents and visitors make their travel plans, available at http://www.toronto.ca/roadrestrictions.

In addition, the City's T.O. INview map shows planned capital construction work taking place across the city. T.O. Inview can be accessed at http://www.toronto.ca/inview.

This work is part of the City's comprehensive and co-ordinated strategy to rehabilitate and upgrade Toronto's roads, transit and underground infrastructure for current and future needs.

Two special events in Toronto this weekend will involve road closures. Residents and visitors are encouraged to come out and enjoy these events. Businesses in the areas affected are open to pedestrian traffic but some roads will be closed to vehicles.

Festivals and other special events are important to the city, injecting hundreds of millions of dollars annually into Toronto’s economy, and they are enjoyed each year by local residents.

In addition to road closures related to special events, there is a significant amount of road work taking place in the city. People are encouraged to take public transit as a greener, faster and more affordable way of getting to their destinations.

Those who need to drive in the general vicinity of special events should allow extra time to get to and from their destination. A complete list of events and road work is available at http://www.toronto.ca/torontostreets/.

University of Toronto Science Rendezvous – Saturday closure

St. George Street, from College Street to Harbord Street, will be closed in both directions from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 7.

Sporting Life 10k – Sunday closures and delays

Yonge Street between Lawrence Avenue and Eglinton Avenue will be closed from 4:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 8 to accommodate the formation area for the run. Along the route for the run, closures will occur between 7:30 and 11:30 a.m. at the following locations:

• Yonge Street between Eglinton Avenue and Richmond Street
• Richmond Street from Yonge Street to Peter Street
• Peter Street/Blue Jays Way between Richmond Street and Front Street
• Westbound Front Street between Blue Jays Way and Bathurst Street
• Bathurst Street from Front Street to Fort York Boulevard
• Fort York Boulevard from Bathurst Street to Fleet Street

Expect delays on Lake Shore Boulevard at Fort York Boulevard as runners enter Coronation Park. 

Note: after all runners pass an intersection, that intersection will reopen to traffic in the area. It is expected that all roads will re-open by 12:30 p.m.

A special event in Toronto this weekend – the Goodlife Fitness Toronto Marathon – will involve some road closures on Sunday. Residents and visitors are encouraged to come out and enjoy this event. Businesses in the areas affected are open to pedestrian traffic but some roads will be closed to vehicles.

Festivals and other special events are important to the city, injecting hundreds of millions of dollars annually into Toronto’s economy, and they are enjoyed each year by local residents.

In addition to road closures related to special events, a significant amount of road work is taking place in the city. People are encouraged to take public transit as a greener, faster and more affordable way of getting to their destinations.

People who need to drive in the general vicinity of special events should allow extra time to get to and from their destination. The City has a web-based map to help residents make their travel plans, at http://www.toronto.ca/roadrestrictions.

Information about the City's planned capital construction work is available at http://www.toronto.ca/inview.

The road closures and lane restrictions described below will occur on the day of the marathon – Sunday, May 1.

The race will begin at the North York Civic Centre at 7:30 a.m. but road closures will begin earlier, at 6 a.m. The main segment of the race will take place on Yonge Street from Finch Avenue to Davenport Road.

Some lane restrictions will occur in the area bounded by Bayview Avenue in the east, South Kingsway in the west, Lake Shore Boulevard in the south and Finch Avenue in the north.

In addition, the following Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway ramps will be closed from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday:

• Gardiner Expressway eastbound ramp to Jarvis Street: access to Jarvis Street will be closed but access to Lake Shore Boulevard will remain open.
• Gardiner Expressway ramp to northbound Spadina: access to westbound Lake Shore Boulevard will be closed.
• Spadina ramp to the westbound Gardiner Expressway: access to westbound Lake Shore Boulevard will be closed.
• Don Valley Parkway Bayview/Bloor ramp: access to southbound Bayview Avenue will be closed.

The route map and identification of roads in the vicinity of the marathon that will remain open during the event are available at http://www.torontomarathon.com.

The City of Toronto in 2016 will be coordinating its infrastructure and road improvements works to reduce the impact to residents, businesses and traffic in Toronto. The planned projects in 2016 include $263 million for roads, bridges and expressways, $227 million for sewer and watermain projects, and $71 million for basement flooding protection work. 

Efforts to minimize traffic and congestion include extended work hours (including 24/7 work where feasible), traffic signal timing changes on alternate routes and bundling projects where work can be combined. Through these efforts, the City aims to reduce the length of work and ensure collaboration and efficiency to reduce impacts to residents, businesses and traffic.

Major projects for this year include:

• Completing the west deck replacement of the Gardiner Expressway from Jameson Avenue to Spadina Avenue
• Road resurfacing on Bayview Avenue from just south of Highway 401 to Steeles Avenue
• Road resurfacing on Warden Avenue from Sheppard Avenue to Steeles Avenue
• Road resurfacing on Martin Grove Road, from Vulcan Street (north of Highway 409) to Finch  Avenue
• Watermain replacement and road work on Gerrard Street from Yonge Street to Sherbourne Street
• Road resurfacing on Don Mills Road from Lawrence Avenue to York Mills Road
• TTC track replacement, and road and sidewalk repairs on College Street at Bathurst Street and Lansdowne Avenue
• Watermain replacement, TTC track replacement and road resurfacing on Richmond Street from Church Street to York Street
• Watermain replacement on Queen Street from Bathurst Street to Spadina Avenue
• Trunk sewer replacement on Lake Shore Boulevard from Dwight Avenue to Superior Avenue
• Watermain replacement on Finch Avenue at Highway 27. 

The City has repaired 64,000 potholes this year and residents are asked to report issues to www.toronto.ca/311 to facilitate their timely repair.

To plan their routes and avoid delays, residents are encouraged to visit www.toronto.ca/roadrestrictions for a live map of road restrictions and travel conditions. Residents can also consult www.toronto.ca/inview for further information and maps of construction activities happening across the city. 

Toronto's Adelaide Street/Charlotte Street intersection will be partially closed to traffic from April 11 to 22 for streetcar-track replacement work and sidewalk repairs.

One lane of eastbound traffic will be maintained at all times during the construction work. While travelling on Adelaide Street, cyclists will need to share the road with vehicular traffic at this downtown location, which is east of Spadina Avenue.

A safety barricade will be placed between the construction and pedestrians. Pedestrian access to businesses and walkways will be maintained at all times during the work.

Construction hours for this project have been extended to reduce the number of days needed to complete the work.

The City has a web-based map to help residents and visitors make their travel plans, available at http://www.toronto.ca/roadrestrictions. Information about the City's planned capital construction work is available at http://www.toronto.ca/inview.

This work is part of the City's comprehensive, co-ordinated strategy to rehabilitate and upgrade Toronto's roads, transit and underground infrastructure for current and future needs.

The City of Toronto's Design Review Panel met yesterday on April 5, 2016 to discuss the Davenport Diamond Grade Separation Project. This is the first time that this project has been reviewed before the Panel and this initial review was meant to be an information session for the Panel. I have been advised that this project will be before the Panel at least one more time for a more full commentary. Once I have those details I will be sharing them with you.

Unfortunately we were unable to get the meeting recorded on video but my office was able to audio record the meeting and you can listen to that recording by clicking here. You will have to turn up the volume on your computer in order to fully hear the discussion.

The City presented first and went through the general background of the project from the City perspective and some of the City Council decision history. The City then highlighted some land use and urban design considerations for the area impacted by the project. Based on our notes, some of this includes but is not limited to:

• The need for a station at Bloor St W and Lansdowne Ave.
• Some development in the area was not originally intended to be so close to the overpass.
• Restoring Dupont St at grade.
• The need to connect to the West Toronto Railpath.
• Issues of focus for the City are the relationship of the overpass to Bloor St W, Dupont St, and adjacent parks with a need for a larger cycling and parks focus.

Following the City's presentation, Metrolinx presented on the project and gave an overview of their public realm plan and preliminary design strategy. After the presentations, the Panel asked questions of both the City and Metrolinx. At the end of the meeting, the Panel then provided their initial comments on this project. All of this is included in the audio recording. Urban Toronto also wrote about the Panel meeting and you can read it by clicking here. 

To view the slides from Metrolinx's presentation, please click the image below to download the PDF.

The Design Review Panel is comprised of private sector design professionals – architects, landscape architects, urban designers and engineers – who provide independent, objective advice to city staff aimed at improving matters of design that affect the public realm. This includes matters such as preserving the uniqueness of place, maintaining vitality, ensuring comfort and safety, and making new development compatible with its surroundings. The Panel provides advice for both private development and public projects, including advice on new urban design policy. Advice is based on professional judgment, understanding of good design principles, conformance with the Official Plan and other related documents (design guidelines, secondary plans etc.), and the design quality of the subject project.

Design Review Panel meetings are open to the public, however there is no opportunity for members of the public to ask questions or to make a deputation during these meetings. The public nature of the meetings is intended to ensure a transparent process, while also contributing to public education about design of the public realm. To find out more about the Design Review Panel, please click here.

Dear Neighbour,

I would like to inform you that the City of Toronto's Design Review Panel will be reviewing Metrolinx's Davenport Diamond project on Tuesday April 5 at 11am in Committee Room 2 at Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St W.

The Design Review Panel is comprised of private sector design professionals – architects, landscape architects, urban designers and engineers – who provide independent, objective advice to city staff aimed at improving matters of design that affect the public realm. This includes matters such as preserving the uniqueness of place, maintaining vitality, ensuring comfort and safety, and making new development compatible with its surroundings. The Panel provides advice for both private development and public projects, including advice on new urban design policy. Advice is based on professional judgment, understanding of good design principles, conformance with the Official Plan and other related documents (design guidelines, secondary plans etc.), and the design quality of the subject project.

Design Review Panel meetings are open to the public, however there is no opportunity for members of the public to ask questions or to make a deputation during these meetings. The public nature of the meetings is intended to ensure a transparent process, while also contributing to public education about design of the public realm. To find out more about the Design Review Panel, please click here.

Sincerely,


Ana Bailão
City Councillor
Ward 18, Davenport

Over the last several years, the West Queen West triangle neighbourhood has undergone a substantial amount of change.  As a result of all the new development in the triangle, many new residents, businesses and community organizations have moved in and made this neighbourhood their new home.  

The extensive development in the area has had a significant impact on the amount of traffic in the triangle.  This added traffic has made travel for pedestrians, cyclists and even motorists less safe.  In response, I have been working together with residents and City staff on a comprehensive traffic management plan to make the neighbourhood safer.  I presented this plan to residents at a community meeting in June 2015.  While some of the elements were approved in late 2015, the majority were recently approved at Community Council on February 23, 2016. 

The following is a list of the transportation improvements in the West Queen West triangle:

• Abell Street (once open), to operate in a "1 way South" direction: approved and awaiting installation;
• Lisgar Street (Queen St. West to Sudbury Street), to operate in a "1 way North" direction: approved and awaiting installation; 
• Removal of parking spaces adjacent to driveway entrances on Sudbury Street to improve sightlines for motorists entering/exiting underground parking lots: approved and installed in fall 2015;
• "All-way stop control" (sign) on Sudbury Street, at Lisgar Street: installed in December 2015 - white pavement markings to be painted this summer;
• "All-way stop control" (sign) on Sudbury Street, at Abell Street: approved and awaiting installation;
• Speed humps on Dovercourt Road (Queen to Sudbury) with 30 km/h speed limit: approved and awaiting installation;
• Speed humps on Subdury Street (Queen to Dovercourt) with 30 km/h speed limit: residents polled and resident petition received, awaiting approval at Community Council;
• "Pay-and-Display" parking on the west side of Abell Street: approved and awaiting installation;
• Loading zone on the west side Abell Street: approved and awaiting installation;
• Accessible parking space on the west side of Abell Street: approved and awaiting installation; and
• Installation of a "traffic control signal" (light) on Queen St. West, at Beaconsfield Ave: installation feasibility study forthcoming from City staff.

Thank you to all the residents that participated in this process.  Together we are working towards a safer and vibrant community.

Should you have any questions on any of the items listed above, please do not hesitate to contact my office. 

Sincerely,

Ana Bailão
City Councillor
Ward 18, Davenport