PUBLIC WORKS

TTC Construction – Service changes on Queen Street E and Kingston Rd

Beginning May 7, 2012, TTC began replacement of watermain and combined sewer and streetcar tracks on Queen St. East from Greenwood to Coxwell Ave, and on Connaught Ave between Queen St and Eastern Ave.

The work is expected to take 6 months. Transit Service changes include:  

-       501/301 Queen streetcar operating as far east as the TTC yard at Connaught Ave.

-       replacing 501 Queen streetcar with temporary buses between Broadview Ave and Neville Park Loop

-       replacing  502 and 503 Kingston Rd streecars with buses between Queen/Broadview intersection and the Bingham Loop.

Over the past few days, Councillor McMahon's office has received multiple complaints about the inadequacy of replacement buses on the Kingston Rd routes – both in terms of frequency and shortened service (downtown bound passengers needing to transfer at Parliament St), leading to increased waiting and commuting times and high frustration.

In response to phone calls/emails from Councillor McMahon and others, TTC CEO Andy Byford has responded with these actions:

-        Re-routing a portion of the Queen service north on Broadview to come back south on Parliament and continue West on Queen. This will address delays that may result from the 502 Bus Service

-       Supervisory and other staff placed at Parliament during rush hours to report back to CEO Byford on effectiveness of additional measures, and to ensure that gaps between services are managed and customers kept informed

-       Discussions with the City over moving detour to alleviate pressure on Connaught and resulting delays

-       (Transfer between bus and streetcar is not restricted to Parliament.
Westbound customers can transfer anywhere between Leslie and Parliament
while those travelling east can transfer anywhere between Carrol (east
of Don Bridge) and Leslie to an eastbound bus.)

Please see attachments for more information.

 

 

Safety and Beautification coming to Kingston Rd and Dundas St.

Have you noticed the construction work at Kingston Rd. and Dundas St.? There has been a significant amount of work done at the small island on the southwest corner over the past few months. Toronto Water has installed a cistern to store water runoff. This cistern supports water control measures in the neighbourhood.  And here's the best thing – following requests and support from local residents, the Edgewood channel will now be permanently closed to traffic.

This project has become a team effort.  Inspired by people who got in touch with our office, the short section of Edgewood Avenue on the south side of the triangle will be closed and a parkette created. The Councillor assembled a team involving many City departments to improve pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle safety as well as add greenery to the public realm. The final plan will ensure turning angles allow for full range of vehicles and transit.

With all this planning, the anticipated completion date is now spring 2013. The asphalt top currently in place is TEMPORARY and allows for the construction hoardings to be removed. The landscape design will involve permeable surfaces, grasses and some small seating areas.  The water tank underneath the parkette does not allow for the planting of trees due to inadequate soil depths, but the design will control rainwater runoff and prevent the heat created by sun baked roads

The Edgewood section of street will remain closed until the landscaping is complete as well. Although small in size, the project will make a great addition to our Ward. Thank you to the local residents who got in touch and helped us push this through to make this intersection greener, safer and more attractive.

The Glen Stewart Ravine Improvements

The Glen Stewart Ravine capital infrastructure replacement project will be complete by the end of April.  At this point a staircase and two bridges have been completely rebuilt. A boardwalk has also been added to make the ravine features more accessible.  Mark your calendars for the grand opening  scheduled for Saturday May 26 at 11 am, meeting at the Glen Manor drive entrance. Come join the fun and explore this precious strip of woods and ravine at our doorsteps.

 Here's a few frequently asked questions about the ravine improvement projects and the rationale behind it.

1. Why close the secondary trail?

The secondary trails run across steep ravine slopes and are contributing to forest decline.  Tree roots are being damaged by soil compaction and exposed by soil erosion.  Trees and other plants protect the soils from erosion to reduce the risk landslides and other types of erosion failure. Trees also benefit wildlife and people who use the ravine and they require more protection if they are to remain healthy and regenerate seedlings to sustain the forest in the long term. Currently there is no regeneration and the trees are declining, with many that have become hazardous as a result of the lack of protection. The main trail has been improved to benefit people and dog walkers who wish to enjoy travelling through the ravine. By keeping traffic on the main trail the negative impacts to the forest are minimized. 

2. Why build a boardwalk?

This boardwalk has been constructed to enable the path to be lifted above the ground and allow the natural water seepage coming from the base of the ravine slopes to flow under the boardwalk to the creek. Previously the granular materials used to support the pathway were being washed into the creek, leaving the trail wet and muddy.

The boardwalk also provides accessible access for park users with wheelchairs, mobility devices or strollers.  The vista point created at the north end of the boardwalk creates a destination point and a potential turn around area for those park users that choose not to proceed over the steeper gradients associated with the rest of the ravine trail.

3. Why build fences adjacent to the trail?

Fences  contain the trails to a limited area, reducing the damage to the forest caused by soil compaction, erosion and trampling of vegetation.  Fences have been installed to prevent access to secondary trails. Reduced traffic on the slopes will allow newly planted and naturally regenerating vegetation to grow without disturbance With fewer trails to maintain, tree pruning and removal required to manage risk to park users can also be reduced .

4. What are the environmental features  that are being protected?

• The plant community dominated by red oak and red maple trees, witch hazel and maple leaf viburnum shrubs,  is a rare forest type in the Toronto area. 
• This ravine provides important shelter for migratory birds
• The active ground water seepage coming from the base of the slopes provides for clean water to sustain flow in Ames creek. Specialized plant communities grow in the wet soils at the base of the slopes.

 

5. What are the black bags in the ravine?

The black bags in the ravine are a low-impact retaining wall system that has been used to replace old wooden retaining walls  that were collapsing and  decomposing.  These new retaining walls will support the growth of vegetation on top  or between the bags,  creating a living structure that is more durable over time and more aesthetically and environmentally suited to the natural  ravine setting.

6. How can we enjoy nature if we cannot use the trail that has been closed?

The main trail will remain open and gives similar experiences of the forest and nature. It is simply not possible to protect the forest in Glen Stewart ravine if we continue to allow all the current pathways to remain.   There are many other natural areas in Toronto that may provide for alternative, enjoyable nature experiences.  Call 311 to request a free Parks and Trails Map.

7. What will be done to restore the forest once the trails are closed?

Many sections will be actively planted while others will be left undisturbed to allow for natural regeneration.  It will take time and continued protection for the forest to return to health.   When the  fencing is installed and trail users stay to the main trail, the forest can to a degree restore itself.   Forest soils will recover and seeds can germinate, allowing saplings to grow without trampling.

8. Will the east slope trail ever be re-opened?

No. The closure is permanent in order to restore and preserve this valuable natural area.

9. I have been coming to this ravine for years with my pet, and have been allowed to run my dog off leash. The signs posted say this is no longer allowed.  Why?

While there has been much dog-off leash use at the site, Glen Stewart Ravine has never been an authorized dog-off leash area.  The ravine has been progressively degraded by multiple types of use that disturb the sensitive slopes, one of these uses is off-leash dog use.  This natural ravine forest is not compatible with concentrated off-leash dog use.  The City has invested significantly to improve access on the main trail, and propose to begin significant restoration through planting.  To support these improvements regulating dog off-leash use will be increasingly important to protecting the slopes, plants and the safety of other users, such as those using the accessible entrance.  

10. What can I do to support the work that the City is doing to protect the ravine?

Contact Cheryl Post at 416-392-1948 or cpost@toronto.ca if you are interested in supporting work that protects the ravine, such as planting initiatives or pulling invasive weeds that grow in the ravine.  If there is significant interest an event can be scheduled for the community.

Contact Mari Caravaggio at 416-338-5059 or mcarava@toronto.ca  if you are interested in donating funds to future improvements in Glen Stewart Ravine. 

The stairs and boardwalk at the north end of the ravine is getting old. Will these be replaced soon?

A capital funding request has been submitted for replacing the staircases at Kingston Road and at Beech Avenue.  At this time, this funding has not yet been approved.  There are many financial issues facing the City, and many projects competing for funding.  The good news is both of these staircases are in better shape than the previous Balsam staircase was before replacement.    Additionally, there are options for removing rather than reconstructing the Kingston Road Staircase that can be explored.

11. How can I get more information about this special ravine forest?

Please visit the link below which provides detailed information on the Glen Stewart Ravine Management Plan, http://www.schollenandcompany.com/glenstewart.zip/

New city website about roads and traffic

The City of Toronto has a website that makes it easier for motorists to find their way around City streets. The site,toronto.ca/torontostreets, shows on-going and emergency road construction, existing travel conditions on City roads and a variety of special events taking place. 

The goal is to help residents and visitors get around the city as easily as possible.  By making this site one of your favourites and checking it before you leave home, you can find the best route for where you want to go. Of course, Toronto is known for its wide range of special events and community activities and using this website will help you get to these locations more easily.  If you are trying to get somewhere else, however, we can also help you steer clear of busy areas in the city so that you can get to your destination, hassle free.

The City is also offering those interested the opportunity to receive e-mail information about emergency road closures as they happen.  To subscribe to receive these updates, visit www.toronto.ca/e-updates.

 

Queen Street East TTC and Watermain Replacement Work

Expected Construction Start Date: May, 2012
Expected Completion Date: November, 2012

As part of the City of Toronto's capital improvement work, Queen Street East between Greenwood Avenue and Coxwell Avenue is scheduled to undergo infrastructure replacement. The construction activities include the replacement of:

• watermains and combined sewers (only on Queen Street East, from Woodfield Road to Vancouver Avenue, and on Connaught Avenue),
• streetcar tracks,
• existing sidewalks, and
• road surfaces

Public Notification
An initial public notice been distributed to the local community. Further notice will be made available to the public prior to construction.  It will provide a more accurate start date and other information regarding the work including the construction schedule and impacts.  The City of Toronto and Toronto Transit Commission staff are committed to providing regular construction updates by mail. These updates will also be available on the project webpage and by email. Please contact Josie Franch (see contact information below) to sign up for email alerts.

On-site signage will also be posted indicating impacts to road access, restrictions or closures due to construction work.

We recognize that any form of construction is disruptive to a community. It is our intention to carry out the work with the least amount of inconvenience to area residents and businesses, and to complete the work as efficiently as possible. Your on-going co-operation and patience during the construction period is  appreciated.

Construction and Work Hours
Efforts will be made to minimize noise during construction between the regular work hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday. However, weekend and overnight work will take place as required in order to install streetcar tracks during offline hours and to facilitate an earlier completion date.

Traffic Access
Access to local streets located north of Queen Street East will be maintained throughout the project.

Queen Street
The construction schedule will attempt to maintain vehicular and bicycle traffic throughout the project. However there will be extended periods of lane restrictions, which you will be notified of in advance. Pedestrian access and access to local businesses on Queen Street will be maintained throughout the project.

Connaught Avenue
Traffic will be closed on Connaught Avenue for a period of time during the construction schedule. The Queen Street and Connaught Avenue intersection will require a complete closure from traffic for one week. Alternate parking will be provided for Connaught residents.  Affected residents will receive further details in an upcoming Construction Notice prior to the street closure.

Transit Service
During construction, changes will be made to streetcar service on Queen Street East.  This will require a bus replacement service along a portion of Queen Street East. Details will be provided in a future notice to the community, and will be posted at transit stops along the route in advance of the service changes.

Street Parking
During construction, on-street parking along Queen Street East will be restricted.. No parking will be permitted in the active work zones.

Deliveries to Businesses
During construction, deliveries to the front of businesses within the work zone may need to be coordinated with the on-site City inspector. Contact information will be provided prior to start of construction.

Waste Collection
Follow your normal recycling and garbage collection routine. If required, the contractor will move the items to an appropriate location and return the bins/containers. Please label your bins/containers with your address.

Keeping you Notified
Once construction begins, the City of Toronto and Toronto Transit Commission staff are committed to providing regular construction updates on the project website or by email. Please contact Josie Franch to sign up for email alerts.

For more information, please contact:

City of Toronto Staff            Easan Vallipurarm
evallip@toronto.ca
416-338-5548

TTC Staff                               Diego Sinagoga
diego.sinagoga@ttc.ca
416-393-2197

Email Alert                            Josie Franch
jfranch@toronto.ca
416-338-2859

24 Hours                                311
311@toronto.ca
TTY                                         416-397-0831

 

 

Fairford Coxwell Road Alerations Update

The proposed plan for improvements to the Fairford/Coxwell/Gerrard intersection came to city council for a vote on November 30, 2011. At that time Councillor Fletcher moved to defer a vote to accept the report and this motion passed.  The reason for this deferral was to give the TTC time to examine and weigh in on the potential impact of the proposed changes to the intersection.

Between the time this plan came to Toronto/East York Community Council in October and the City Council session on November, Councillors McMahon and Fletcher sat down and worked out an agreed upon list of improvements that did not alter the plan but merely added a number of operational measures that would mitigate the impact of the proposed changes on pedestrian safety and congestion east of Coxwell Ave and on sidestreets like Gainsborough Rd. These measures included ongoing monitoring of traffic and pedestrian movements, left turn prohibitions, installation of appropriate signage and zebra striping, prioritizing the request for crossing guards and a study of traffic calming options on sidestreets east of Coxwell.

The agreed upon amendments to the road alterations were put forward by Councillor McMahon and welcomed by Councillor Fletcher in the interest of overall neighbourhood safety. The deferral means that the proposal will come back to Council for a full vote during the January council sessions scheduled for January 17, 18 & 19, 2012.

"What we've done here by adding these amendments is make a better solution for more people," says Councillor McMahon. "The TTC definitely needs to take a look at the plan and see how it can work for them as well. For instance, we're hoping to move the streetcar shift change location at lower Coxwell, which would help move the streetcars along quicker.  It's just a matter of sitting down to work out these final details and I'm confident this can happen before the January council dates."

Councillor McMahon thanks all the residents of Ward 32 and Ward 30 who have done an amazing job on making this corner of our shared neighbourhood safer for all in the long run.