Addressing Traffic Concerns: A New Relief Road

Addressing Traffic Concerns: A New Relief Road

New streets are proposed to reduce traffic in the Humber Bay Shores neighbourhood

When you want to get from point A to B, there’s really nothing more frustrating than traffic. Day-to-day tasks, like walking to the grocery store and commuting into the city, are much more enjoyable when you remove unnecessary traffic from the streets. That’s why a key focus of the proposed plans for 2150 Lake Shore is to tackle the “congestion” issue head-on by studying and understanding existing traffic flow challenges.

Existing Traffic Flow Challenges

Some of the findings of our research, led by BA Group, include:

  • The area struggles with long commute times and congestion during peak periods given its proximity to Lake Shore Blvd. W. and the Gardiner Expressway;
  • There is a large volume of commuter traffic from people who don’t live in the neighbourhood but use local streets as shortcuts to reach the Gardiner Expressway. This leads to intense congestion levels along Park Lawn Road and Lake Shore Blvd. W.;
  • There is a lack of quality and easily accessible transit options in the area. Existing residents rely on the TTC 501 Queen streetcar service and surface bus routes, which typically involves extended travel times. As a result, travel within the Humber Bay Shores and surrounding area is predominantly car-focused, intensifying local traffic and congestion levels.

The study’s findings align with the comments and feedback we’ve received from community members at several of our idea fairs and public open houses, and shows the pressing need for a new transit network in the Humber Bay Shores area.

Read the full transportation study here.

Building a New Network

Armed with this knowledge, our focus at 2150 Lake Shore is to invest in major transportation infrastructure that will:

  • Redirect commuter traffic to the north end of the site via a new “Relief Road” away from neighbourhood streets and intersections;
  • Divert commercial loading and servicing traffic away from neighbourhood streets;
  • Improve traffic flow and reduce traffic on Park Lawn and Lake Shore Blvd. W.;
  • Provide better access to multi-modal travel options;
  • Create “complete” streets that will connect 2150 Lake Shore with neighbouring communities in Humber Bay Shores, and;
  • Create a strong neighbourhood character and bring convenience and delight to local pedestrian and cycle movement networks while reestablishing Park Lawn Road and Lake Shore Blvd. W. as true “main streets” with vibrant streetscapes, wider sidewalks, and bike lanes.

This is a huge opportunity for the community. See the plans for these new connections by watching our Mobility Video here.

What’s involved?

Appropriately addressing these concerns will include:

  • The construction of a new rail underpass adjacent to the proposed Park Lawn GO station;
  • Modification to City-owned lands north of the rail corridor opposite the current Gardiner Expressway off-ramp on Park Lawn Road, and;
  • Modifications to the Gardiner Expressway / Lake Shore Blvd. W. ramps at the east end of the site.

While building a new network is complex work that can take time, a significant piece of infrastructure such as this will improve quality of life by addressing congestion, delays, and commuter overflow in the Humber Bay Shores area. It will also support cycling, pedestrian, and transit access and create a truly integrated transportation and mobility hub.

The proposed plans for 2150 Lake Shore will continue to evolve and grow as we work with the City of Toronto and the local community to address the needs of a rapidly developing area.

Want to hear more from us? Opt-in to receive regular updates on the project and information on upcoming meetings.

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