Item - 2009.PW24.5

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council grant authority to the General Manager of Transportation Services to issue a Notice of Study Completion and to file the Project File for the Roncesvalles Avenue Streetscape Improvements Class Environmental Assessment Study in the public record for 30 days in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment.

2.         The appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

A Class Environmental Assessment Study was undertaken to address opportunities for improvements to the public realm in conjunction with water and combined sewer upgrades and a reconstruction of streetcar tracks on Roncesvalles Avenue between Queen Street West and Dundas Street West.  The potential improvements were developed under the guidance of the Roncesvalles Village Streetscape Strategy, prepared by the Roncesvalles Village Business Improvement Area (BIA).  The evaluation of a reasonable range of alternative solutions, which included consultation with the public and review agencies, resulted in the following Recommended Design:

-           The removal of one travel lane in each direction, to provide one 4.3 metre traffic lane and a 2.0 metre parking lay-by on both sides of Roncesvalles Avenue;

-           The provision of transit platforms as an extension of the sidewalk to allow level boarding to new TTC transit vehicles; and

-           The widening of the boulevard in certain areas to increase public space and reduce crossing distances.

A Notice of Study Completion must now be issued and the Project File placed in the public record for a 30-day review period in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment.

The estimated cost of the road modifications required to narrow Roncesvalles Avenue is $1.95 million.  This work is to be undertaken in 2010 in conjunction with the Toronto Transit Commission’s reconstruction of the streetcar tracks on Roncesvalles Avenue.

Some cost sharing will occur with the Toronto Transit Commission, Toronto Water, and potentially the Roncesvalles Village BIA.  The General Manager, Transportation Services will report on the total project costs, required cash flows, and any other financial implications as part of the 2010 Capital Budget Submission.

The Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information.