Penetration by Outside Traffic

The North York City Centre has been targeted by City & Provincial Planners for intensification without adequate provision for arterial roads and highway access. The Yonge & Sheppard intersection thus became one of the busiest intersections in the GTA with frequent gridlock on Yonge Street between Sheppard Ave and Highway 401. As a consequence, an excessive number of vehicles have increasingly been using our residential streets to bypass this escalating gridlock.  This resulted in: 

• Serious safety concerns 
• Threat to property values 
• Eroding / diminishing quality of life

ATraffic Committe consisting of volunteers has been established in 2004 to study the situation and make recommendations.

The first phase of recommendations included the addition of right-turn, 7-9 AM restrictions for eastbound traffic at Easton Rd, Senlac Rd, Fennel St, Pewter Rd and Beaman Rd. Additional stop signs were installed at 6 locations in the neighbourhood and a left-turn 7-9 AM & 4-6 PM turn restriction was installed for westbound traffic at Poyntz Ave and Botham Rd. Click here to download the original report and recommendations [PDF].

Following the implementation of the first phase, the traffic situation has been monitored by the committee for several years. Based on observation and feedback from residents, it was determined that additional measures needed to be considered to safeguard the neighbourhood. It was also recognized that the proposed addition of three new developments created a potential for additional bypass traffic in the future:
 


Two surveys, an short online survey and a comprehensive door-to-door survey were conducted to measure the willingness of the community to impose further restrictions on traffic. The community overwhelmingly supported additional restrictions on traffic. Click here to download the comprehensive survey results [PDF].

In late 2008, a community consultation meeting was organized and held by Councillor John Fillion. The committee made a presentation to the residents proposing additional traffic restrictions. The meeting was followed by a vote at which a majority voted in favour of new restrictions. Click here to download the meeting presentation [PDF].

As a result, in early 2009 the neighbourhood received a new set of turn restrictions along Sheppard Ave to control penetration by outside traffic. Right-turn AM restrictions have been extended to 10 AM (from 9 AM) for eastbound traffic at Easton Rd, Senlac Rd, Fennel St, Pewter Rd and Beaman Rd. In addition, 4-7 PM restrictions have been added to Pewter Rd and Beaman Rd. Westbound left-turn restrictions have been added to the AM and PM  peak periods at Pewter Rd and Beaman Rd. Westbound left-turn restrictions have also been added to northbound traffic turning left onto Sheppard at Pewter Rd and Beaman Rd.

All current turn restrictions mitigate penetration by outside traffic using our neighbourhood for a quick access to and from Yonge Street. They also safeguard our neighbourhood against future penetration by traffic generated by new condominium development in the North York City Centre and directly adjacent to our neighbourhood at the Yonge & Sheppard intersection. The situation continues to be monitored.

Click here for more information about development directly affecting traffic in our community.

Speeding

A 40 km/hr neighbourhood-wide speed limit has been implemented in 2009. The limit is a response to concerns about speeding by residents. The committee requested a follow-up speeding stydy to be conducted by the city in the summer of 2010. The results will be posted on this page as soon as they come in.

Parking

As a result of complaints by a local resident, new parking restrictions are being implemented along Florence Ave west of Pewter Rd.


401 Flyover Ramp Alternative  - Double Cross-Over Diamond Concept

There has been much discussion and frustration with the congestion on Yonge Street due to southbound traffic turning left to get onto the 401. Funding for a feasibility study was approved in 2011 to assess a fly-over ramp solution. The feasibility study has not yet begun. A resident of West Lansing, Mr. Raymond Jean has offered an alternative solution - a double cross-over concept. We are sharing this information, not as an endorsement, but rather to promote conversation about this important issue. We thank Mr. Jean for his efforts and for sharing his ideas 401-Double-cross-over-Diamond-concept-Executive-Summary3

For all issues related to traffic, please contact the chair of the traffic committee Dimos Zarkadas.