Bloor Street integrated project

The Community Meeting was held virtually on June 23, 2021 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Community Meeting #1 introduced the study, presented background information, discussed next steps and how to keep informed.

Community Meeting #1 Presentation Boards

The commenting period was open from June 23 to July 14, 2021 and is now closed.

The second community meeting was held virtually on October 27, 2021 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Community Meeting #2 presented the alternative solutions being considered, evaluation of the alternatives, recommended design concepts, next steps and how to keep informed.

Community Meeting #2 Presentation Boards

The commenting period was open from October 27 to November 19, 2021 and is now closed.

The third community meeting was held virtually on March 9, 2022 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Community Meeting #3 presented a new design concept, including recommended safety, operational, pedestrian and cycling improvements. The recommended design concept was presented, including next steps and how to keep informed.

Community Meeting #3 Presentation Boards

The commenting period for public feedback was open until August 31, 2022 and is now closed.

The various planned improvements for Bloor Street are all supported by current City plans and policies. In particular, the project is seeking to advance the City’s Vision Zero policy and reduce serious injuries by prioritizing the safety and access of our most vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists and transit users).

The City has planned for road resurfacing along Bloor Street as part of the Annual Resurfacing Program. This has provided an opportunity to identify and implement various safety improvements along the road corridor including a new pedestrian crossing, new cycling facilities and intersection improvements. The bundling of these projects into a single construction contract will reduce the overall construction cost of the improvements and construction nuisance/fatigue for local residents.

As part of the recommended design concept, the Project Team is proposing to move the existing curbs inwards. By doing so, it will narrow the travel lanes to 3.5m (curb lane) and 3.0m (inside lane), respectively. The narrower lanes will be able to accommodate transit and delivery vehicles, while also slowing down vehicle travel speeds. Slower vehicle speeds will make Bloor Street more safe for all road users.

The concrete strip within the boulevard, beside the curb is known as a maintenance strip or splash-pad. It’s purpose is primarily for snow storage and to accommodate salt spray.  It replaces what would otherwise be a strip of grass that would struggle to survive due to its close proximity to the road.  Some residents use it as a sidewalk or cycling facility, but this is not the intended purpose.

The Project Team has evaluated a number of design alternatives for the Bloor Street corridor. At this time, the City is recommending a one-way cycle track on both sides of Bloor Street. The one-way cycle track will be located within the boulevard, separate from both motor vehicles and pedestrians.

As part of the evaluation of alternatives, the impacts to trees and the ability for re-planting opportunities have been considered.  From a streetscaping perspective, our goal is to maximize the number of trees that can be planted within the Bloor Street corridor. A project priority is to balance the needs of the corridor, while ensuring safety for all road users.

There have been some concerns raised that if cycling infrastructure were introduced, it would make it more difficult to back-out of individual residential driveways.

As cyclists are currently using the existing sidewalk or biking on the road, the public will continue to back-out of or back-in to their driveway when it is safe to do so, as they do today. By implementing a separate facility to accommodate cyclists, it will provide a safer environment for all road users as cyclists would be separated from motor vehicles and pedestrians.  Industry best practices support separate space for cycling within the right-of-way, as it offers greater safety, security and protection to users of the road. The public will need to continue looking both ways for pedestrians and cyclists when entering/existing driveways and proceed when it is safe to do so. All road users have a shared responsibility to be cautious, alert and follow the rules of the road when operating a motor vehicle, cycling, scootering, walking or jogging.

There is supporting evidence that residential property values remain unchanged when cycling infrastructure is introduced. By providing greater access and mobility choice, it increases the attractiveness of a community and a neighbourhood.

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Under existing conditions, both pedestrians and cyclists may use the Applewood Trail under Bloor Street at Little Etobicoke Creek. During rain storm events, Little Etobicoke Creek routinely floods and the path is not accessible. As part of the Bloor Street improvements, a new pedestrian crossing will be recommended to accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists at street level.  Therefore, the new pedestrian signal will include separate space for pedestrians and cyclists to safely cross Bloor Street.

City staff will be presenting a final recommendation to Council for their consideration and approval. Timing of the report to Council is yet to be confirmed, but currently anticipated for winter or early spring 2023.

The construction schedule for the project has not yet been finalized; however, the City anticipates construction will commence within the 2024/2025 timeframe.  Works are to be coordinated with the Region of Peel, and Bloor Street funding and timing is to be confirmed as part of annual Council budget review and approval process.