The CLRA Executive led by Robert Levy had a constructive video call meeting with Councillor Josh Matlow on June 20th.

The CLRA spoke to our concerns:

  • We feel we are being lectured to and not consulted.  A rushed and limited consultation process that used the 6 World Cup matches next June as the need for urgency when other options are available for game days.
  • The likelihood that stores will close on Bathurst because deliveries and curb side pickups will no longer be possible 24/7, not only affecting owners and employees but the many residents who use the stores and want them as part of our neighbourhood fabric.
  • The spillover of traffic into neighbourhoods as cars, delivery trucks, etc. look for alternatives.
  • Much greater congestion on alternative routes such as Christie and Spadina Rd. which are already congested, especially during rush hours, affecting commuter travel times as well as bus passengers on those routes.
  • With only one lane of northbound traffic available to service through and left turn traffic, there will be an immense traffic snarl caused by cars making left turns at Vaughan Rd. to access St. Clair West or at Strathearn and streets north to access the Allen Road.
  • New left and right turn lane restrictions and their impact on traffic flows and access to neighbourhoods by residents, service trucks, school buses etc. haven’t been fully evaluated
  • There is no consideration of the impact the eventual opening of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT will have on bus passengers south of Eglinton or the impact the underground pedestrian passage to the St. Clair West subway station incorporated into the complex under construction at Bathurst & St. Clair will have on bus passengers south of St. Clair. The subway is a realistic alternative for the Bathurst neighbourhoods south of Eglinton.
  • There is no acknowledgment of nor consideration for the traffic congestion study currently underway by the City and the new position of Traffic Czar
  • We are skeptical about the data used to support the recommendations when the TTC staff in a report to their Board states that it will only take 4 minutes longer for a car to drive the 7 km. from Eglinton to Lakeshore during rush hour despite a 50% reduction in capacity and the introduction of left and right turn restrictions and that car traffic will drop by 30% on Bathurst as more people will use the bus and traffic will find alternatives through adjacent neighbourhoods.

Councillor Matlow stated that the concept behind RapidTO is correct. Unlike Montreal, Toronto never invested in a robust subway system so we have to look at alternatives for public transportation and dedicated bus lanes are a valid option. “But a good idea can become a bad idea – details matter”.

He recognized that the Study was done in a matter of weeks because of pressure from the FIFA World Cup. He believes that for FIFA, Bathurst south of Bloor may be more critical. Bathurst north of Bloor is a different story. One option may be for the TTC to move Bloor to Eglinton into a Phase 2 Study. Such a delay will allow for the incorporation of the Eglinton Crosstown (hopefully opening this fall) and a pedestrian and bike overpass at the entrance to the Allen Road to address the traffic flow congestion at the entrance to the Allen Road.

He also understood the merits of limiting the bus lanes to rush hours and using overhead lane signals like on Jarvis street to designate when the bus lanes are in force. This would keep businesses open on Bathurst St. as they are already accommodating no parking/stopping measures during rush hours. It would enable drop-offs and parking for medical appointments, grocery shopping, religious services, schools, recreational facilities, people with mobility constraints and food pickups.

As a result of our discussion with Councillor Matlow we are hopeful that a more reasonable approach will be taken to Bathurst St., especially by limiting the proposed restrictions to rush hours only.

The final recommendation will be made to the Executive Committee on June 17th. We are hopeful that staff will incorporate the many comments and suggestions made during the comments period. As the comments period ends at the end of day on Monday May 26th, if you haven’t already done so, please complete the study SURVEY and the PETITION organized by the businesses along Bathurst. St. south of Dupont.

We think Councillor Matlow will push for the amendments as outlined above but we cannot assume the full Executive Committee will be agreeable to these changes.

The CLRA is coordinating with nearby Residents Associations in the Annex and Wychwood Park.

We will be making a submission to the Executive Committee before their meeting.