Guildwood Village Traffic Response Prepared by City of Toronto Transportation Department

Transcription

1 Guildwood Village Traffic Response Prepared by City of Toronto Transportation Department 1. Traffic Impacts Associated With Improvements to the Lake Shore East GO Transit Rail Corridor Proposed by Metrolinx 1) Comment: Concern about increased traffic inbound to the Guildwood GO Transit station south parking lot in the morning and outbound traffic in the afternoon. Interior streets, including: Dearham Wood, Cumber and Toynbee Trail, will experience heavier traffic volumes as a result of increased traffic on Guildwood Parkway. 1) Response: According to the Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) that Metrolinx completed (September 2015) to support the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) for the Lake Shore East GO Transit rail corridor improvements, the major intersections surrounding the Guildwood GO station are anticipated to operate at satisfactory levels of service following implementation of the proposed improvements to the Lake Shore East GO Transit rail corridor. Transportation Services has reviewed the TIA and is in agreement with the study recommendations. For further information, Metrolinx's TIA can be viewed at: 2) Comment: As part the correspondence from the GVCA, a proposal for the closure of Galloway Road was presented in Appendix A. The proposal expresses concern about increased traffic travelling through the community as a result of Metrolinx's proposed grade separation of Galloway Road with the Lake Shore East GO Rail corridor and proposes that Galloway Road be closed at either side of the rail corridor instead. 2) Response: As part of Metrolinx's proposed Lake Shore East GO Transit corridor improvements, grade separations are contemplated at three locations, including: Scarborough Golf Club Road, Galloway Road, and Morningside Road. Transportation Services has reviewed the analysis provided by Metrolinx and is in agreement that grade separated crossings of the rail corridor are appropriate at all three locations. With the increase in future rail service along the Lake Shore East GO Transit rail corridor, Metrolinx's TIA demonstrates a need to grade separate the road from the rail corridor at all three locations in order to maintain effective and safe road/rail operations. Grade separated crossings of the rail corridor will ensure connectivity of all modes of transportation within the community and ensure that response times of emergency services are not adversely affected. In addition, analysis carried out by Metrolinx shows that the future operations of up and downstream intersections on Scarborough Golf Club Road, Galloway Road, and Morningside Road will continue to operate under satisfactory conditions with the grade separations in place.

2 3) Comment: Concern has been expressed about the construction of an underpass at Galloway Road and potential increases in traffic heading to Guildwood Parkway with the opening of the Dynamic Hospitality facility. 3) Response: Metrolinx's TIA accounts for future traffic growth in the area, including the additional traffic generated by the Dynamic Hospitality facility. The major intersections surrounding the Guildwood GO Transit station are anticipated to operate at satisfactory levels of service following the implementation of GO Transit service improvements and build out of the Dynamic Hospitality facility. 4) Comment: Various options for addressing the impact of electrification on Poplar Rd. 4) Response: Given the existing low traffic volumes on Poplar Road at the rail crossing, Metrolinx is proposing to close Poplar Road to vehicular traffic. To prevent the corridor from being a physical barrier, a grade separated crossing (e.g. a bridge or a tunnel) for pedestrians and cyclists is proposed. Transportation Services has reviewed this request and is in agreement that a grade separation of Poplar Road and the rail corridor for general traffic is not warranted, but that a crossing should be provided for pedestrians and cyclists. The City has requested in writing that Metrolinx develop a proposal for a pedestrian/cyclist crossing of the corridor and that the proposal be made available for the review of both the City and the community. 5) Comment: Concern about the future impact of the planned rapid transit (RT) from Kennedy-Kingston RdMorningside and the impact of potential diversion of traffic through Guildwood Village both at the lights and at Livingston (on the west side) and at Morningside (on the east side). Traffic now moves south on Galloway and along Westlake, originating from residences north of the rail corridor. Will this traffic, to some extent, divert down Morningside and across Cumber and Dearham Wood with decreased traffic, but traffic nonetheless, moving north on Galloway to Westlake, and then reverse in late afternoon? 5) Response: This comment relates to the proposed extension of the Eglinton East Light Rail Transit (LRT). On July 12th 2016, City Council adopted recommendations (City Council Motion ITEM NO 2) to conduct further technical and planning analysis with respect to an extension of the Eglinton East LRT to the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus (UTSC). This analysis will be carried out

3 by the City of Toronto and the Toronto Transit Commission, in partnership with Metrolinx and in consultation with the UTSC. As part of this undertaking, additional traffic analysis will be carried out and opportunities for public engagement and input will be provided. 6) Comment: What is the feasibility of strategically placed sidewalks on Galloway Road and is there a potential for bike lanes to be added? 6) Response: As part of Metrolinx s TPAP and detail design exercise, the City is reviewing plans for Metrolinx's proposed grade separation and has identified a need to include appropriate sidewalk facilities. The review process is on-going and the City will continue to work with Metrolinx to ensure that appropriate pedestrian facilities are included. In addition, Galloway Road is identified in the City of Toronto Cycling Network 10-Year Cycling Network Plan as an existing Quiet Street Route. This route currently has wayfinding signage for cyclists. Galloway is a low volume residential road that offers cyclists an alternative route to the adjacent arterial roads. With the construction of the Galloway Road grade separation by Metrolinx, the City has requested that Metrolinx include cycling lanes within the immediate area of the grade separation. This will provide an added level of comfort to cyclists who choose to ride along Galloway Road at an underpass. Additional information about the City s 10 -Year Cycling Network Plan for Ward 43 can be viewed here: Ward43_TTE-AllWards pdf 2. Local Traffic Operations 1) Inquires / Concerns: Concern about increased traffic in the school year to Jack Miner and Laurier schools using both Galloway Rd and the Morningside-Guildwood Parkway corridor. 1) Response: Metrolinx's TIA concludes that the major intersections surrounding the Guildwood GO Transit station are anticipated to operate at satisfactory levels of service after service improvements have been implemented. This analysis has taken into account traffic travelling during peak periods, including traffic destined to/from area schools. The City has reviewed the TIA and is in agreement with the findings presented. Should unexpected operational issues arise, the City will review and take action, as appropriate.

4 If there are specific location of concerns, the City s Traffic Operations Unit can assess in greater detail. 2) Inquires / Concerns: Concern about increased use of Toynbee Trail has led to some support for sidewalks on Toynbee Trail because of safety considerations. The experiences of several residents concerning safety issues are documented in Appendix B of the incoming correspondence. 2) Response: City policies recommend that all local roads have a sidewalk on at least one side of the road. In order to promote this, the City has an annual capital program to add missing sidewalks where opportunities to bundle this work with road reconstruction exist. City staff will investigate this request and will make recommendations to the local Councillor about the addition of potential sidewalks. 3) Inquires / Concerns: Morningside Avenue has 4 lanes but it does not move traffic efficiently. If a Guildwood resident wishes to access Kingston Road eastbound to reach the 401, they can travel on Galloway with only one traffic light at Kingston Road. In contrast, Morningside Avenue has 6 traffic lights (Coronation, Danzig, Lin, Lawrence, No Frills, Kingston Road) and 1 cross walk at Cumber. 3) Response: Traffic control signals and pedestrian crossings are considered by the City when there is an opportunity to improve traffic safety and operations. The signalized intersections referenced would have been analyzed for safety considerations and the overall volume of traffic on both approaches. Galloway Road is classified as a collector road and has less traffic than Morningside Drive. As a result, there has been no historical need to install signals or pedestrian crossovers south of Kingston Road. If there are specific location of concerns or requests for traffic control signals along Galloway Road, the City s Traffic Operations Unit can assess in greater detail. 4) Inquires / Concerns: Guildwood Parkway: The situation around Laurier is particularly problematic for drivers and dangerous for students. The bus stops, crosswalks, and Toynbee Trail are too close together creating many blind spots. The congestion is worsened by cars making left turns from the parkway unto the school property. 4) Response:

5 Sir Wilfrid Laurier C.I. is located at 145 Guildwood Parkway on the south side of the street. The Traffic Operations Unit at the City would be pleased to investigate these issues further. In order to assist with these investigations, it would be useful if specific locations where sightline are limited or restricted could be identified by the GVCA. Should the school wish to consider leftturn lanes into their main driveway, the school can make the request through the City s Traffic Operations Unit. For more information, please contact Marko Oinonen at moinone@toronto.ca / ) Inquires / Concerns: Morningside and Guildwood Parkway are a relief valve for vehicles trying to avoid congestion on Kingston Road. Some of that traffic does not exit Guildwood Parkway at Kingston Road, but at Bethune. Increased traffic on the Parkway is especially high during the school year and will increase with the opening of the Dynamic Hospitality facility. This traffic flow will not decrease, begging the question: some potential solutions: (1) left turn lanes, (2) reduced speed limit (3) increased police surveillance (4) move the bus stops closer to Livingston where there are more lanes (5) move the pickup and dropoff circle to Livingston (6) restrict left turns unto Laurier school property from the parkway (7) vehicles currently using Toynbee Trail as a short cut to Laurier present safety issues. A solution may be a reduced speed limit, 40kph to 30kph, as has happened in Leaside. 5) Response: In response to the potential solutions noted: (1) left turn lanes - please identify specific locations for consideration and the City s Traffic Operations Unit can assess in greater detail. (2) reduced speed limit - please identify specific locations for consideration and the City s Traffic Operations Unit can assess in greater detail. (3) increased police surveillance the Toronto Police Services should be contacted about increased police surveillance. Please contact the Toronto Police Non-Emergency contact line at (4) move the bus stops closer to Livingston where there are more lanes the Toronto Transit Commission will be made aware of this request and will be asked to follow-up with the GVCA to discuss further.

6 (5) move the pick-up and drop-off circle to Livingston this request should be made by the School. Changes to the pick-up and drop-off circle will require the review of the school s accesses and site plan. (6) restrict left turns unto Laurier school property from the parkway the school can request that the City s Traffic Operations Unit carry out a study to assess left turns into and out of the driveways. Potential outcomes of this study could include turn prohibitions or maintenance of the existing conditions. (7) vehicles currently using Toynbee Trail as a short cut to Laurier present safety issues. A solution may be a reduced speed limit, 40kph to 30kph, as has happened in Leaside. i. Under the City's Traffic Calming policy, residents of Toynbee may submit a petition through the local Councillor to implement a reduced speed limit on Toynbee Trail. For information regarding Traffic Calming and Speed Limit Reduction related policies, please see below links for information. Traffic Calming: VgnVCM d60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=e e1410VgnVC M d60f89RCRD 30km/hr Speed Reduction Policy: 40km/hr Speed Reduction Policy: 6) Inquires / Concerns: The community is currently facing the follow challenges. Current traffic volumes during the school year on: Guildwood Parkway, east and west of Galloway, both directions, peak periods; Galloway Road, south of the rail corridor at Westlake and Dearham Wood, both directions, peak periods; Cumber and Dearham Wood, both directions, peak periods; and Toynbee Trail, Dearham Wood to Guildwood Parkway, principally during the school year. 6) Response: Recent assessment of these roads through Metrolinx's TIA indicates that the major intersections surrounding the Guildwood GO Transit station are anticipated to operate at satisfactory levels of

7 service following service level improvements by Metrolinx. Transportation Services has reviewed this assessment and is in agreement with the findings. However, should traffic operational issues be identified following the service level improvements, the City will investigate and take action, as appropriate. 3. General Inquiries 1) Inquires What is the process of closing a street? If Metrolinx owns the property that is the corridor, what studies need to be undertaken by the City? Would the City undertake its own environmental assessment including both access to emergency vehicles and the possibility of an emergency evacuation? 1) Response Metrolinx will need to assess the impacts of changing road configurations as a result of the service level improvements to the Lake Shore East GO Transit rail corridor. Should a road closure be determined to be the most appropriate solution, Metrolinx will work with the City to implement the changes to the road configuration and the regulatory changes needed to give effect thereto. A separate environmental assessment carried out by the City would not be necessary. 2) Inquires What is the process for a street closure? What jurisdictions are involved? What is the process for widening a street? What is the process for requesting reduced speed limits 2) Response Street Closure: Please refer to the attached "Permanent Highway Closure/Sale" Process. Street Widening: In general, the process of widening involves the following: Determine future requirements for the street under the City s Official Plan (OP). The City s O P is intended to ensure that the City of Toronto evolves, improves and realizes its full potential in areas such as transit, land use development, and the environment.

8 The OP identifies transportation network improvements that are required to support the City's growth management objectives. Right of Way width or street width is one element that is identified in the OP. For more information, see: CM d60f89RCRD If there are policy-based and/or operational reasons to widen the street, then an Environmental Assessment study can be initiated by the City to study the impacts of the road widening. The goal of conducting the Environmental Assessment study is to determine the preferred solution for the road widening, outlining any impacts and mitigating measures associated with the road widening. Upon completion of an Environmental Assessment, City staff will schedule the road widening subject to available funding and competing priorities. Speed Limits Reduction: The process for requesting a reduction in speed limits is outlined above. Please refer to Speed Limit Reduction related policies, for which links are provided above.