Traffic & Safety – eglintonTOday Complete Street Project - March 2024 update

Below is a quick summary of what was shown and discussed:

·      Metrolinx officially handed over control of the Allen/Eglinton intersection to theCity.  This gives the City jurisdiction and unencumbered access to the intersection to implement operational and signage changes to alleviate congestion.

·      Recent data collected by the City indicates lower traffic volumes at Allen/Eglinton compared to 2012.  The City acknowledged that the lower volumes are likely a result of congestion and queuing and not from a reduction in vehicles.  More analysis is required.

·      The City is examining a series of revisions to the Allen/Eglinton intersection to improve traffic flow. Some of the solutions being tested include:

(i)           Reverting back to a configuration that allows a simultaneous eastbound left and a dual westbound right onto Allen northbound;

(ii)         Increasing the running cycle of the vehicular traffic light to clear queues;

(iii)         Removal of the westerly island near Allen south ramp to allow for two full queuing lanes, which will help keep the eastbound through-lane clear for vehicles exiting Allen South ramp.

(iv)         Light timing refinements to optimize traffic flow of vehicles and buses, which include push-call buttons for pedestrians and cyclists.

(v)         Commitment from City Staff to a functional Allen/Eglinton intersection.  They stated that Complete Street infrastructure (including bike lanes) in our neighbourhood will not be implemented until after the required changes to the intersection are complete, and successful.

·     Community engagement surrounding residential infiltration concerns can be conducted.  Options include possible new one-way mazing programming, turn-restriction bylaws (and enforcement), etc.  This should take place after the revisions are made to the Allen/Eglinton intersection are complete and their impacts assessed.

·     March 27, 2024 – The City plans to report to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee (IEC) for final approval of the Complete Street design and implementation.   The agenda will be distributed for review the week before the IEC. Members of the CUVCG will plan to attend the meeting and depute as required.

·     Summer/Fall 2024 – The City committed to a phased-approach to the implementation of the EglintonTOday Complete Street.  This means that our neighbourhood will not receive Complete Street infrastructure elements until the Allen/Eglinton issues are resolved and our neighbourhood is properly studied.

This will prevent new infrastructure from exacerbating current traffic woes.  This is a big win for our community!

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