Recently, the Province of Ontario and Metrolinx announced an agreement in principle has been reached with Canadian National Rail to initiate further GO Regional Express Rail enhancements along the Kitchener GO Corridor. This agreement also provides a framework to initiate the planning and analysis work needed to advance the "Missing Link" freight rail bypass in consultation with stakeholders and the community. The "Missing Link" project provides an unprecedented opportunity to move Canadian Pacific Rail's freight traffic off the CP tracks that run through Toronto (which form the northern border of Ward 18) and to increase rail safety along this important corridor.

This initiative also opens a new potential for increased transit service in Toronto and across the region. I voted to direct City staff to engage in discussions with stakeholders and government partners to move this important project forward. I look forward to reviewing their feedback when they report to back in 2017. 

I am happy to report that the Argyle Street contra-flow bicycle lanes are now complete from Dovercourt Rd to Gladstone Ave. This lane connects to the Florence street bike lane, as part the City's strategy to better connect Toronto's west end. Parking signage will be updated as parking will no longer seasonally alternate from side to side. The Annette-Dupont-Dundas intersection just to the west of Ward 18 has also been painted to better reflect where the bike lane is for both motorists and cyclists coming into Ward 18. The photo shows the painting in progress. 

The City is proposing a pilot project to install bike lanes on Bloor St W between Shaw St and Avenue Rd. This pilot project is an important step in investing in safer and more accessible cycling infrastructure and it will support cycling as a sustainable commuting option to ease our congested urban areas. I am looking forward to working with Ward 18 residents, BIAs, and other stakeholders on the impacts and benefits of bike lanes on Bloor St W. Please take a moment to have your say on the various possible design options for bike lanes that are being considered. You can take the survey at: http://cityoftoronto.fluidsurveys.com/s/bloorbikelanes-survey1/

The City of Toronto is extending the cycle tracks – separated bike lanes – that are currently in place along Richmond Street and Adelaide Street in the downtown area extending west from the vicinity of University Avenue. The new extension eastward from the University Avenue area is part of a pilot project to improve cycling infrastructure and enhance safety for all road users in the downtown core.

The new work will result in the extension of cycle tracks on Richmond Street, which is one-way westbound, from Parliament Street to York Street, and on Adelaide Street, which is one-way eastbound, from Simcoe Street to Parliament Street. Cycle tracks will then be in place on both Richmond and Adelaide between Parliament Street in the east and Bathurst Street in the west.

In addition, bicycle lanes will be installed on both sides of Peter Street, from King Street to Queen Street.

Beginning this week, the following work will be initiated as part of the cycle track extension:

• minor pavement repairs on both Richmond Street and Adelaide Street
• changes to on-street parking and stopping regulations, and
• installation of signage, pavement markings and flexi-post bollards (posts that bend when struck/contacted) to extend the cycle track on the north side of Richmond Street and the south side of Adelaide Street.

The installation of the cycle tracks is expected to be completed by the end of September, weather permitting. A map of the changes can be accessed at http://www.toronto/transportation/cycling. 

These changes are part of the Richmond-Adelaide Bikeway Environmental Assessment (EA) Study to evaluate the feasibility of cycle tracks and other cycling infrastructure in this area. 

The pilot project evaluation will focus on the effectiveness of the cycle tracks, options for the design of the separation between the cycle tracks and traffic lanes, the impacts on parking and loading for area businesses, and the effect on traffic flow.

More information about cycling in Toronto is available at http://bit.ly/1JrHGnB and by following them on Twitter @TO_Cycling.

Click on the image or this link to view the full pdf version of this notice.