Item - 2018.PW28.15

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee:

1.  Referred the item to the General Manager, Transportation Services.

Currently, Toronto Hydro is replacing and upgrading its infrastructure along Davenport Road between Bathurst Street to east of Dovercourt Road. A new pole reduces the sidewalk width to .889 metres (see attachment 1). While the old pole left the sidewalk width substandard, the new pole further reduces the sidewalk width.

The City of Toronto has a minimum standard of 1.5m to meet the Accessibility for Ontarian's with Disabilities Act (AODA), with a recommendation of 1.7m. The City is also striving to increase active mobility. The "Complete Streets" guidelines state specifically in "Chapter 4 – Pedestrian Design Principles":

1.   Coordination with Utilities. The location, use, and maintenance of utilities needs to be coordinated early on in street projects. Ensure pedestrian clearway needs are met for universal accessibility. Seek ways to minimize conflicts among utilities, street furnishings, trees, and landscaping.

I suggest that in 2018 the City should have planned this hydro project to meet the "pedestrian clearway". There are other examples of city departments installing structures on sidewalks that do the same (see attachment 2: hydrant at St. Clair Ave. & Bathurst St.). Moving forward, the City should better coordinate "early on" with utility upgrade planning and regard the work as an opportunity to carry out street design changes that meet current pedestrian guidelines. The earlier the conversation, the easier it is to consider sidewalk widening and other right-of-way strategies.