City called on to spend $14.4M for bike lane improvements

torontosun.com
July 7, 2022

The City of Toronto is being asked to spend $14.4 million to create an additional 3.3 kilometres of bike lanes and to make improvements on another 1.2 kilometres of existing lanes.

The Cycling Network Plan update will go before Thursday’s meeting of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee, and ultimately city council.

“The changes proposed would improve safety and mobility options by providing improved cycling connections to transit, parks, local schools, businesses, and residences,” the report says. “Pedestrian improvements have also been included in the projects, wherever feasible, including curb extensions and new sidewalk installations, and motor vehicle lane adjustments.”

New bikeways would be built on Gerrard St. E., near Parliament St.; Don Mills Rd., north of Gateway Blvd.; Overlea Blvd., from Thorncliffe Park Dr. to Don Mills Rd.; and along Thorncliffe Park Dr. and Martin Grove Rd.

Another 1.2 kilometres of existing lanes on Gerrard St. E., Gateway Blvd. and Shuter St. would see improvements.

The estimated annual cost of maintaining the new cycling infrastructure is about $50,000 for sweeping and $105,750 for winter maintenance.

The projects would require the removal of 12 pay-and-display street parking spaces on Gerrard. However, the plan calls for the creation of seven new street parking spaces on Trinity St. and an expected gain of $33,200 in annual parking revenues to the city.

“Transportation Services continues to work with the TPA to identify additional (park-and-display) parking spaces that could be added in the areas impacted, which in turn, will help to support local businesses, Business Improvement Areas (BIA)s and the local community,” the report says.

Looking ahead to next year, a proposal for a “complete street design” of Eglinton Ave., between Keele St. and Mount Pleasant Rd., will be brought forward, the cycling plan says.