Item - 2020.IE11.13

The Infrastructure and Environment recommend that:

1. City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 937, Temporary Closing of Highways, to delegate to the General Manager, Transportation Services, until December 31, 2030, inclusive, the authority to temporarily close to pedestrian and vehicular traffic highways or portions of highways for a period up to and including 365 consecutive days but ending no later than December 31, 2030 inclusive, with the exception of those highways listed in Section 937-4 of Chapter 937, as required for the purpose of the construction of the Line 2 Scarborough Subway Extension and exempt the General Manager, Transportation Services, in carrying out this delegated authority from Section 937-5 of Chapter 937, that being the requirement to notify the local Ward Councillor of the pending closure and the requirement to report on the proposed closure if so requested by the local Ward Councillor.

2. City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 27, Council Procedures, to provide that the current delegation to Community Council to temporarily close local roads, collector roads, and minor arterial roads does not include closures delegated to the General Manager, Transportation Services, in carrying out the authority in Part 1 above.

3. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services, to request Metrolinx to expand its use of a 24 hour, 7 days a week hotline to accept and track complaints and reports of issues associated with the Line 2 Scarborough Subway Extension.

4. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services, to work with Metrolinx to provide details of long-term road occupancy permits to the public on project websites, consistent with current practices deployed within the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit, Finch West Light Rail Transit and GO Expansion projects.

5. City Council direct that the traffic lanes and sidewalks be reopened when the project is complete.

The purpose of this report is to seek approval to authorize the General Manager, Transportation Services until December 31, 2030 to temporarily close to pedestrian and vehicular traffic highways or portions of highways for a period up to and including 365 consecutive days, but ending no later than December 31, 2030, inclusive, as required for the purpose of construction of the Line 2 Scarborough Subway Extension.

This recommended delegation is similar to authority previously granted to the General Manager, Transportation Services in relation to the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit, Finch West Light Rail Transit and GO Expansion projects. This authority is necessary as the scope of Line 2 Scarborough Subway Extension necessitates numerous concurrent and consecutive lane closures that will extend beyond thirty days during a multi-year construction period.

Delegation minimizes the chance of project delay and significantly reduces the administrative burden on City of Toronto staff, enabling them to focus on working with Metrolinx, contractors, local ward Councillors, and the community to maximize the effectiveness of traffic management and construction scheduling.