Bloor Street West Complete Street Extension

Data, monitoring and evaluation

Cycling activity data collection accuracy and reliability

Cycling activity is measured at both intersections and mid-block locations by third party vendors specializing in traffic data collection. Data is collected using videos and sensors. The vendors must complete quality control of the data through accuracy checks and testing. City staff also conduct periodic checks to ensure reliable and accurate data.

Assessing project impacts on traffic flow, emergency response times, and local businesses

To achieve project goals and limit impacts, the project team studied traffic and consulted with representatives of emergency services, businesses and Business Improvement Areas (BIAs).

• Traffic: The traffic study summarizes the vehicular traffic analysis and was used to optimize traffic signal timing, including left/right turn arrows, green time and improving flow from one traffic light to another. After installation and more data collection, adjustments will be made to improve traffic operations and road safety for all road users.
• Emergency Services: Emergency Services operations were among the highest priorities in the design process. Representatives from Emergency Services were consulted at various stages through the design including a detailed review of plans. The final design incorporates their comments, and we continue to monitor impacts to essential services and address any concerns from our Emergency Services partners.
• Businesses: The City consulted businesses and Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) on the design of the project at various stages, including a survey to all businesses to gather parking and loading demands and requirements of businesses and buildings. Two separate studies of Bloor Street West in the Annex found positive economic impacts associated with the Bloor Street Pilot, including increases in the average number of customers, and customer spending.
• Monitoring and evaluation: Within the first year following the installation, the City will observe new travel behaviour along the corridor, conduct new traffic, speed and travel time counts on Bloor Street West, monitor traffic volumes on nearby streets, report on any changes in emergency response times, conduct counts of people cycling and continue to collect, record and respond to public feedback. After the first year of installation, City staff will post an analysis to the project web.

Safety

Safety measures and their evaluation

Safety measures for all road users include new crosswalks, cycle tracks separated by concrete curbs, bollards and planters, centre-left turn lanes, painted curb extensions, raised bus platforms and new signage. Right-turn-on-red (RTOR) prohibitions were also implemented at select signalized intersections along the corridor with a documented history of collisions to improve safety for pedestrians crossing the intersection and to reduce conflicts between people driving and cycling.

More safety measures are planned for 2024-2025 including giving dedicated traffic signal time to different modes and enhancing the visibility of pedestrians and people cycling to turning drivers by changing the radius of curbs and adding turn-calming features. Post-installation, Transportation Services will continue to observe and collect data along Bloor Street West and make adjustments to improve safety for all road users.

Painted curb extensions

At many intersections along the corridor, painted curb extensions have been added to reduce exposure of vulnerable road users in the intersection and to slow the speed of turning drivers. Some are painted to indicate this is pedestrian space and not typical roadway, and for placemaking purposes. The geometry of these extensions follows the City’s Curb Extension Guidelines. Some of the locations are candidates for permanent curb extensions, which can be constructed as part of upcoming civil works or future planned capital work along the corridor.

Cost

Cost-benefit analysis

Transportation Services did not conduct a cost-benefit analysis and does not typically conduct this type of study for similar projects. Rather, City Council provided direction to implement new bikeways in order to achieve the goals within the Vision Zero Road Safety Plan – with a goal to eliminate serious injury and death, and TransformTO: Toronto Climate Action Strategy – which target’s 75% of all trips under 5 km to be on foot, bike or transit by 2030.

Project cost

City Council approved the project as part of its June 2023 meeting. The installation of Phase 1 of the Bloor West Complete Street Extension was awarded through the City of Toronto’s Bid Award Panel on July 26, 2023, to the lowest bidder on a Request for Quotation basis. The process followed all Council-approved procurement and cost-control bylaws and policies.

Routes and the Cycling Network

Bloor Street West between Runnymede Road and Resurrection Road was prioritized in the Cycling Network Plan’s Near-Term Implementation program (2022-2024) endorsed by City Council in December 2021. Bloor Street West is one of the City’s Major City-Wide Cycling Routes. Please see the prioritization framework and maps of prioritization considerations.

Environmental impacts

Motor vehicle trips are the greatest local source of air pollution emitted in Toronto. Research conducted for the TransformTO Net Zero Strategy states that traffic-related air pollution and its health effects will be improved with increased active transportation infrastructure and transit ridership.

Accessibility

Accessibility is a priority in all street design. The Bloor Street West Complete Street Extension prioritizes accessibility through Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act upgrades and improvements at intersections, new dedicated accessible loading zones and raised platforms to service Wheel-Trans and accessible taxis, and new or maintained accessible parking spaces. The addition of cycling infrastructure also makes the street safer for people cycling who have a disability by providing a protected space separate from motor vehicle traffic, as well as keeping people cycling from using the sidewalk and conflicting with pedestrians.

Designs

The project design follows the City’s Lane Width Guidelines and On-Street Bikeway Design Guidelines in the determination of lane widths. General design practices within the City of Toronto and elsewhere aim to reduce lane widths to promote slower vehicle speeds. Lane widths for active transportation users are, in comparison, preferred to be wide enough to support snow clearing, provide opportunities to pass safely within the lane and to give additional operating space for people cycling to avoid hazards such as potholes and debris.

Enforcement

Enforcement is the responsibility of the Toronto Police Service and parking enforcement officers. Concerns around behaviour of road users should be brought to their attention. The project team works with TPS’ Traffic Services and their Parking Enforcement Officers before project implementation and afterwards if issues arise.

You can request enforcement by the Toronto Police Services (TPS) via their Citizen Online Report Entry (CORE).
In addition, you can reach the police non-emergency line at 416-808-2222, which allows residents to connect with police services, personnel and programs. Toronto Police Service will take all reports of crime over the non-emergency line, however, they do encourage everyone to use the online reporting services for convenience.

Requests for parking enforcement can be submitted to the Toronto Police Services online via their website.

Red bus lanes and reduced loading between Armadale Avenue and Jane Street

The north side of Bloor Street West between Armadale Avenue and Jane Street is critical to TTC operations. Three regular service routes and one express service route occupy this space during the daytime. It is common that the TTC runs more than 20 buses per hour in the peak periods from 6-9 a.m. and 4-7 p.m. Operating buses in mixed traffic would reduce the TTC’s ability to move tens of thousands of customers per day. This design reduced the ability of businesses on the block to accept and make deliveries adjacent to their properties. There is loading space across the street, as well as on the north side east of Armadale Avenue, which can be used as an alternate location for deliveries and other commercial loading. Passengers being picked up or dropped off can do so from the “No Standing” zones on Armadale Avenue (east side, north of Bloor Street West) and Jane Street (eastside, north of Bloor Street West).

Changes to Bloor Street West include materials that can be installed quickly, such as bollards, roadway paint, planters and signage. No major road reconstruction is planned.

Phase 1, Runnymede Road to Aberfoyle Crescent, was installed in 2023.

• August 2023 – Phase 1 Installation Notice  

Phase 2, Aberfoyle Crescent to Resurrection Road, was installed in June 2024.

• May 2024 – Phase 2 Installation Notice 

Updates currently underway include:

• Traffic signal modifications at the following intersections: Old Mill Trail, Jane Street (complete), and Windermere Avenue. These signal modifications include the addition of bicycle signals and changes to phasing to improve safety for all roadway users.
• Traffic signal re-timing: adjustments to signal timing will be applied corridor-wide in the fourth quarter of 2024. These changes will incorporate the City’s latest policies for traffic signal timing and aim to provide a coordinated flow along Bloor Street W. 
• Removal of no right-turn on red signage: right turns on red between the Humber River and Aberfoyle Crescent that were previously restricted as part of the installation of the Bloor Street W Complete Street Extension project have been restored, as directed by City Council in June 2024 (IE14.3) and until such time as the traffic signal timing is updated.

Further upgrades are planned in 2025, with design work currently underway at several locations. This includes pedestrian safety improvements at select intersections, a new sidewalk along the Park Lawn Cemetery and additional traffic signal improvements to add bicycle signals and make changes to phasing to improve safety for all roadway users. Transportation Services is also working to identify opportunities to improve traffic flow, safety, and attractiveness along the corridor and will provide an update to the local Ward Councillors by the fourth quarter of 2024.

If you would like to receive future installation notices, please email bloorcompletestreet@toronto.ca to be added to the recipients list.

The following documents are draft roll plans for the project The legend for the roll plans can be found below.

Please note that the roll plans are large files and may take time to load. In addition, the roll plans are not accessibility compliant – if you require assistance please contact us.

Phase 2: Aberfoyle Crescent to Resurrection Road

• Segment A: Aberfoyle Crescent to Green Lanes
• Segment B: Green Lanes to Resurrection Road

Phase 1: Runnymede Road to Aberfoyle Crescent

• Segment A: Runnymede Road to Jane Street 
• Segment B: South Kingsway to Brule Terrace 
• Segment C: Riverside Drive to Old Mill Terrace 
• Segment D: Old Mill Terrace to Kings Lynn Road 
• Segment E: Prince Edward Drive to Royal York Road 
• Segment F: Cliveden Avenue to Lothian Avenue 

Legend: 

Accessible and Commercial Loading Zones

The project team reviewed potential locations for new commercial and accessible loading zones in consultation with Business Improvements Areas and Wheel-Trans, and informed by pick-up/drop-off demand data along the corridor, Wheel-Trans guidelines and Complete Streets Guidelines. The table below summarizes the locations of both existing and new accessible and commercial loading zones on Bloor Street West.

If you would like to request a new loading zone on Bloor Street West, please email: bloorcompletestreet@toronto.ca.

TTC Bus Stop Modifications

The following stop modifications were identified alongside TTC stakeholders, with consideration for the TTC surface stop spacing guidelines.

TTC bus routes 66 – Prince Edward and 300 – Bloor-Danforth Night Bus will be impacted by these changes.

The table below summarizes changes, including the removal of, relocation of, shifting of, or new stops, made to TTC bus stops along this section of Bloor Street West. All other stop locations will be maintained.

TTC Bus Stop Modifications:

The City monitors and reports on its Complete Street projects in ways that are specific to each project. Note that it takes time for people to adjust their travel habits to the changes along the Bloor Street West corridor.

For the Bloor West Complete Street Extension, and within the first year following the installation, the City will:

• Observe new travel behaviour along the corridor;
• Conduct new traffic, speeding and travel time counts on Bloor Street West;
• Monitor traffic volumes on nearby streets, including: Beresford Avenue, Colbeck Street, Edgemore Drive, Glenroy Avenue, Greenview Boulevard, Jackson Avenue, King Georges Road, Leland Avenue, Meadowvale Drive, Morningside Avenue, Riverside Drive, The Kingsway, Traymore Crescent, Wendover Road and Willingdon Boulevard;
• Work with partners to report on any changes in emergency response times;
• Conduct counts of people cycling;
• Proceed with upgrades and adjustment such as traffic signal infrastructure and signal timing; changing pavement markings, curbs and bollards; and rebuilding some sidewalks and curb extensions to better meet project goals; and,
• Continue to collect, record and respond to public feedback

In June 2024, Transportation Services published an Interim Condition Data Update, which included preliminary data collected after many of the pavement markings, signage and accessible platforms had been installed but before the completion of all the complete street elements, including some painted curb extensions, physical separation and signal adjustments.

The Interim Condition Data Update has been revised to include information from Toronto Fire Services and Toronto Paramedic Services on emergency response times. The City will continue to collect data to monitor the project and surrounding areas, to assist with any required changes in the future.

• • July 2024 – Interim Condition Data Update (with Emergency Response Time data)

Toronto Fire Services

Toronto Fire Services ran an analysis of a 500m buffer around Bloor Street West from Aberfoyle Crescent to Runnymede Road to assess travel times for emergency response. Toronto Fire Services examined response times from before the installation (2022), during construction (July – September 2023), and post installation (October – December 2023).

For the period of July to September 2023, the 90th percentile travel time for the first arriving truck at an incident decreased 13 seconds compared to the same time period in 2022, while city wide it increased by 4 seconds. For the period of October to December, the 90th percentile travel time for the first arriving truck at an incident increased 30 seconds compared to the same time period in 2022, while city-wide it increased by 2 seconds.

As the sample size of events available for this evaluation was small, the data may be subject to limitations and a higher variability in the results.

Toronto Paramedic Services

Toronto Paramedic Services conducted an analysis of a 500m buffer around Bloor Street West from Aberfoyle Crescent to Runnymede Road to assess travel times for TPS emergency response. Toronto Paramedic Services examined response times for the periods provided by Transportation Services  before install period July 10, 2023 to September 10, 2023 and after install period of October 10, 2023 to December 10, 2023.

For the period of July 10 2023 to September 10, 2023, in the 500m buffer an average response time of 08:29 and the City-Wide average was 09:11. For the period of October 10, 2023 to December 10, 2023, in the 500m buffer an average response time of 9:11 and the City-Wide average of 09:56. This was an in increase of 0:42 and 0:45 respectively.

Toronto Paramedic Services average of over 320,000 calls annually. The data reviewed was for a very small sample size and may not accurately reflect impacts on response times.

The traffic study summarizes the vehicular traffic analysis. Traffic analysis is only one type of analysis that informs the design of complete street projects. Complete street projects aim to balance the needs of different types of road users and to promote the safety of vulnerable road users, including people cycling and pedestrians.

• Bloor Street West Complete Street Extension Traffic Study Summary 2023

The purpose of the traffic study is to:

• Improve traffic operations and road user safety within the context of complete street design objectives; and,
• Optimize traffic signal timing, including left/right turn arrows, green time, and improving flow.

Major considerations in the traffic study include:

• Reducing conflicts between drivers and vulnerable road users;
• Prioritizing the movement of TTC vehicles and reducing their delay entering and exiting stations; and,
• Balancing east-west travel demand with north-south travel demand to serve all road users as efficiently as possible.

Transportation Services consulted with local residents and businesses between January and May 2023 to identify overall needs and priorities, before completing the design and implementing the project. Below is a summary of consultation and communication activities during that period.

• Individual stakeholder and ratepayer association meetings: January to May 2023; over 9 meetings
• Loading and delivery survey for businesses: January 23 to February 6, 2023; 72 responses
• Virtual stakeholder meeting: April 4, 2023; 26 attendees
• Two public drop-in events: April 12 and April 13, 2023; over 300 attendees
• Survey: March 23 to April 27, 2023; 1,866 responses
• 120 emails and 15 phone calls from January to May 2023
• School engagement: May 4, 2023
• Targeted emails to project stakeholders
• 33,894 notices distributed throughout the project area

Additional details about consultation activities as well as a summary of feedback received can be found in the Consultation Report. Overall, consultation activities saw a contrast between participants who supported a complete streets design and the proposed bikeways, and participants who had concerns about traffic congestion and impacts.

The June 2023 Project Update summarized comments received through the consultation and incorporated into the final proposal presented to Infrastructure and Environment Committee and City Council. Most notably, the project team addressed feedback related to increasing the number of right-turn-on-red restrictions; installing a physical barrier at Mossom Road; extending the westbound right-turn lane at Old Mill Road; accommodating loading space at Royal York Road and Bloor Street West; and adding a right-turn arrow at Thompson Avenue.

Consultation Materials

• Bloor Street West Complete Street Extension Consultation Report 
• Bloor Street West Complete Street Public Drop-in Event Panels

Roll Plans

• Segments 1 and 2: Runnymede Road to Jane Street
• Segment 3: Please find details on the South Kingsway intersection on panels 27-30 of the Bloor Street West Complete Street Public Drop-in Event Panels
• Segment 4: Old Mill Drive to Riverside Drive 
• Segment 5: Riverside Drive to Old Mill Trail (Humber Creek Bridge)
• Segment 6 and 7: Old Mill Trail to Prince Edward Drive
• Segment 8: Prince Edward Drive to Royal York Road
• Segment 9: Royal York Road to Aberfoyle Crescent

Please note that the roll plans are large files and may take time to load. In addition, the roll plans are not accessibility compliant – if you require assistance please contact us.

In addition to the consultation efforts lead by the project team, Councillor Amber Morley (Ward Etobicoke-Lakeshore) has organized additional opportunities to share project information with the public, including virtual events.

Hearing feedback

Residents are invited to provide feedback via the dedicated project email, bloorcompletestreet@toronto.ca, and phone line, 416-338-1066. Community feedback, along with monitoring, will be used to inform any modifications to the installation, including to signal timing, curbside uses, and safety measures.

Business delivery survey

The City recognizes that spaces for loading and deliveries are critical for the operation of businesses and organizations. To help inform the design of the project, the City engaged with businesses and property owners to understand loading demands and requirements along Bloor Street West within the project area (Runnymede Road to Resurrection Road) through a Business Delivery Survey.

Map of Bloor Street West Complete Street Extension project corridor. Phase 1 from Runnymede Road to Aberfoyle Crescent was substantially completed in December 2023, while Phase 2 from Aberfoyle Crescent to Resurrection Road was substantially completed in June 2024.

Summary of Changes: Phase 1 – Runnymede Road to Aberfoyle Crescent

The following road safety improvements and complete street elements were installed along Bloor Street West from Runnymede Road to Aberfoyle Crescent as part of phase 1.

• New cycle tracks with physical separation on both sides.
• One motor vehicle lane removed in each direction.
• Centre median maintained between Kingscourt Drive and Royal York Road, and a new painted median over the Humber River and the Mimico Creek bridges.
• Existing turn lanes at major intersections maintained between Prince Edward Drive and Aberfoyle Crescent.
• Centre lane or median converted to new, centre left-turn lane from Armadale Avenue to South Kingsway; Old Mill Drive to Riverside Drive; Old Mill Trail and Kingscourt Drive; and Royal York Road and Aberfoyle Crescent.
• Westbound bus lane and right-turn lane on the north side of Bloor Street West from Armadale Avenue to Jane Street.
• On-street parking retained on both sides of the street from Runnymede Road to Armadale Avenue, and in existing parking lay-bys from Armadale Avenue to Aberfoyle Crescent. In the summer, on-street parking can become cafés beside the sidewalk as part of the CaféTO program.
• One painted pedestrian lane on the south side between Kingscourt Drive and Prince Edward Drive to address the existing sidewalk gap before a permanent sidewalk can be built.

Summary of Changes: South Kingsway Intersection

The intersection of Bloor Street West, South Kingsway, Riverview Gardens and Mossom Road was reviewed for ways to improve safety and optimize traffic flow. Phase 1, including the following intersection improvements was installed in 2023 to increase safety:

• New cycle tracks and removal of one motor vehicle lane per direction on Bloor Street West.
• Close the eastern entrance of Mossom Road. Mossom Road would be converted to two-way travel to provide residential access. A new left-turn lane would be provided at Riverside Drive and the existing left-turn restriction from Bloor Street West would be removed.
• Extend the left-turn lanes for drivers turning from Bloor Street West onto South Kingsway and/or Jane Street.
• Add more green signal time for the busiest motor vehicle movements.

Additional consultation on long-term options is planned in the second quarter of 2025.

Summary of Proposed Changes: Phase 2 – Aberfoyle Crescent to Resurrection Road

The following road safety improvements and complete street elements were installed along Bloor Street West from Aberfoyle Crescent to Resurrection Road as part of Phase 2.

• New cycle tracks with physical separation on both sides.
• One motor vehicle lane removed in the eastbound direction.
• Centre left-turn lane between Aberfoyle Crescent and Green Lanes.

Changes since installation

Since the start of installation in September 2023, the City has monitored public feedback on potential changes to the design and installation. This feedback is reviewed, compared with technical considerations and includes site observation before changes are made. The following changes have been implemented since installation:

• Added a commercial Loading Zone east of Durie Street on the south side of Bloor Street West
• Widened parking lay-bys in The Kingsway Business Improvement Area (BIA) that were installed narrower than designed
• Signage adjustments along the corridor and side streets based on comments received from the BIAs and residents
• Removal of dashed painted lines in The Kingsway intersection to improve understanding of vehicle lane alignments for turning drivers
• Removal of Right-Turn-on-Red restriction at Old Mill Trail and Aberfoyle Crescent/Gardenvale Road in response to TTC feedback
• Adding additional orange and black barrels and other temporary measures during construction to help people adjust to the new configuration
• Adjustments to pavement markings, curbs and bollards to improve access to driveways and deter illegal parking and loading that impedes travel by cyclists and other motorists along the corridor
• Removal of Right-Turn-On-Red restrictions along Bloor Street W between Humber River and Aberfoyle Crescent, until such time as the traffic signal timing is updated

Changes as a result of public consultation

Following the public consultation in winter 2023, the project team reviewed comments and identified actionable comments that can be incorporated into design or operational changes for this project. The June 2023 Project Update provides a summary of comments that were incorporated and information on the changes from what was previously been presented.

Since 2016, protected bikeways have been installed in phases along Bloor St. In 2016, the Bloor Bike Lanes were installed as a pilot project from Avenue Road to Shaw Street. Following an evaluation of the pilot project, City Council approved a permanent installation of the cycle tracks in 2017. In fall 2019, the City carried out consultation on the Bloor West Bikeway Extension from Shaw Street to Runnymede Avenue. Cycle tracks were installed on this segment of Bloor Street West in 2020 and 2021.

The current Cycling Network Near-Term Implementation Program was adopted for 2022-2024, which includes The Bloor St W Complete Street Extension.