Yonge Street, North York Streetscape Improvements

[amnesiajune]

The picture also shows why EB 401-NB Yonge is configured as free-flowing: look at the traffic volume, vs. that of EB 401 to SB Yonge. It's also a reason why localizing Yonge in the NYCC stretch may not be the wisest idea. It may be to the best interest of condo dwellers, but Yonge serves a regional function, even though it's no longer a provincial highway. (before people jumping in to say Bayview can serve as the alternative, no it can't - the 11 Bayview buses already get messed up every rush hour by the long traffic queue around the 401 interchange.)

Yonge does serve some regional function, but not as access to the 401. Everyone who wants to take the 401 eastbound from north of Finch is already taking Bayview or Leslie. Even from Sheppard & Yonge, it's often just as fast to drive east to Leslie and take the 401 there (or go west on the 401, turn around at Avenue and take the Express lanes) because of the regular traffic between Bayview and Leslie on the 401 Collector lanes.

 

[lead82]

Looks like this project is shelved until funding becomes available. I thought they were going to use Section 37 funds collected in NYCC area to fund this. I guess not.

 

[amnesiajune]

Looks like this project is shelved until funding becomes available. I thought they were going to use Section 37 funds collected in NYCC area to fund this. I guess not.

It's not shelved. It's still in the development process. A lot of Yonge Street needs to be rebuilt no matter what, and this project is just figuring out if the reconstruction will include changing the design of the street.

 

[lead82]

True but without funding it won’t proceed any time soon. It’s similar to the John Street rebuild. Designs have been done years ago but it’s sits on the back burner.

 

[11th]

Yonge does serve some regional function, but not as access to the 401. Everyone who wants to take the 401 eastbound from north of Finch is already taking Bayview or Leslie. Even from Sheppard & Yonge, it's often just as fast to drive east to Leslie and take the 401 there (or go west on the 401, turn around at Avenue and take the Express lanes) because of the regular traffic between Bayview and Leslie on the 401 Collector lanes.

Agreed, but taking Bayview or Leslie would only work if they are going EB on the 401.

 

[lead82]

It would be helpful to have a Bathurst SB to 401 WB ramp. Yonge gets a lot of use as a regional road for SB to 401 WB traffic.

 

[sunnyraytoronto]

It would be helpful to have a Bathurst SB to 401 WB ramp. Yonge gets a lot of use as a regional road for SB to 401 WB traffic.

Impossible,.... weaving!

Here's some Yonge-Sheppard-401 traffic volume data,.... from 8 years ago, so just add 8 years of development and more congestion,...

 

[sunnyraytoronto]

What’s the solution for the north set of lights?

Think about it,... what part of ParClov works well (free-flowing) and what part doesn't. Ditto for Four Leaf Clover,... basically any interchange configuration. Then figure out how to adapt what works well (the free-flowing part) to the part that doesn't (the not free-flowing part),... hence the perfect solution!

 

[Leo_Chan]

Think about it,... what part of ParClov works well (free-flowing) and what part doesn't. Ditto for Four Leaf Clover,... basically any interchange configuration. Then figure out how to adapt what works well (the free-flowing part) to the part that doesn't (the not free-flowing part),... hence the perfect solution!

So a cloverastack? Add an extra free flowing ramp from westbound to southbound and a loop from southbound to eastbound. And BAM, no more traffic lights.

 

[Root]

Delays delays delays... I'm hoping the design part one gets accepted, yonge definitely needs a HUGE rework from south of sheppard right to steeles even. We just gotta get that funding, pronto. Cycling, walking, public transit. Yes, every major arterial road needs it. We can't assume all people drive cars, nobody bikes. It's not the 1950's no more. It's 2018. As a bike user, I travel where I need to go, because I chose, and choose to. Including the right to use ALL roads as defined in the Highway-traffic act.

Once yonge street is reimagined and redone, regardless how many traffic signals there are, it'll be much safer with cycle tracks, despite the opposition (nobody uses them, really?). The really cold weather, yes, nobody wants to go out. It's already been clearly demonstrated and shown once it goes below -15'C with a deep windchill. I ride in it, I had no other choice. OR freeze waiting for a bus. We need to factor this other part in: Cycling and public transit goes together hand-in-hand. This is another way more individuals will be going to/from/on yonge, to avoid the hills (which I don't have a problem with).

All we can do now, is wait for more news and updates.

 

[sunnyraytoronto]

So a cloverastack? Add an extra free flowing ramp from westbound to southbound and a loop from southbound to eastbound. And BAM, no more traffic lights.

Argh,... you're too focus on design template. Cloverstack (like 404-407) are multi-level, ugly, not pedestrian/cyclist friendly and will cost about $500million far in excess of $50million budget.

Yonge-Jedi,... focus on basics,.... interchange has 4 direction of travel, as each approach interchange, there's 3 choices (traffic movements): straight through, right turn, left turn,..... thus full interchange need to handle 4 right turn, 4 left turn and 4 straight through.
- Which of these traffic movement is (generally) always free-flowing (regardless of interchange design)? Why? Where is it relative to the interchange?
- Which of these traffic movement is (generally) not naturally free-flowing (regardless of interchange design)? Why? Where is it relative to the interchange? Now, how can you "easily" convert these traffic movement to free-flowing???

Yonge-Jedi,... may the force be with you,....


Here's some various interchange designs,... mark up right turn VS left turn VS straight-through,....

Partial Clover A4 at Bayview-401:

Full Clover at Lawrence East - DVP:

Typical American Diamond at Lawrence West - Allen Rd (NOTE: two very inefficient 3-phase signalized intersections):

Our odd Yonge-401 ParClov-Diamond hybrid interchange:

 

[Root]

Interesting, isn't there a way to use traffic-calming measures in that area once off the highway?

Argh,... you're too focus on design template. Cloverstack (like 404-407) are multi-level, ugly, not pedestrian/cyclist friendly and will cost about $500million far in excess of $50million budget.

Yonge-Jedi,... focus on basics,.... interchange has 4 direction of travel, as each approach interchange, there's 3 choices (traffic movements): straight through, right turn, left turn,..... thus full interchange need to handle 4 right turn, 4 left turn and 4 straight through.
- Which of these traffic movement is (generally) always free-flowing (regardless of interchange design)? Why? Where is it relative to the interchange?
- Which of these traffic movement is (generally) not naturally free-flowing (regardless of interchange design)? Why? Where is it relative to the interchange? Now, how can you "easily" convert these traffic movement to free-flowing???

Yonge-Jedi,... may the force be with you,....


Here's some various interchange designs,... mark up right turn VS left turn VS straight-through,....

Partial Clover A4 at Bayview-401:
View attachment 131896

Full Clover at Lawrence East - DVP:
View attachment 131897

Typical American Diamond at Lawrence West - Allen Rd (NOTE: two very inefficient 3-phase signalized intersections):
View attachment 131898

Our odd Yonge-401 ParClov-Diamond hybrid interchange:
View attachment 131899

 

[Northern Light]

Report to PWIC is up.

http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2018.PW26.6

As expected, it recommends the cycle tracks on Yonge and the full enhancement pkg.

Also recommends funding detailed design this year w/debt and PTIF money.

Construction timeline TBD

 

[ADRM]

It's not shelved. It's still in the development process. A lot of Yonge Street needs to be rebuilt no matter what, and this project is just figuring out if the reconstruction will include changing the design of the street.

Exactly. To wit, from staff:

Reconstruction of the Yonge Street corridor is required within five to ten years. Irrespective of the design carried forward, streetscape and safety improvements that should be implemented through a reconstruction of Yonge Street include replacement and extension of the centre landscaped median and improvements to the public realm, including new trees/planters, street furniture and street lighting, a balancing of sidewalk widths on both sides of the street where possible, etc.

Reconstructing this section of Yonge Street on simply a like-for-like basis without relocating curbs and without any improvements to the steetscape quality or safety, would cost approximately $24-29 million. This includes approximately $5 million to reconstruct and extend the existing median, but this approach is not recommended.

 

[constructo]

The next city meeting of the PWIC is Fri. Jan. 19. Here's the info.
Please submit your request to speak and comments by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 18.
You may arrange to speak or submit comments by contacting the City Clerk's Office using one of the following methods:
Email : pwic@toronto.ca
OR
Mail: Public Works and Infrastructure Committee
Nancy Martins, City Clerk's Office
Toronto City Hall, Floor 10, West Tower
100 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
Telephone: 416-397-4579
Fax: 416-392-1879
For further information about speaking or submitting comments at a committee meeting, please visit - http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/tmmis/have-your-say.htm.
Anne-Marie Croce
Public Consultation Research Analyst
Public Consultation Unit
City of Toronto
Metro Hall, 19th Floor
55 John Street
Toronto, ON M5V 3C6
416-392-2896
AnneMarie.Croce@toronto.ca