Working Together for Safer Streets

There has been a lot of talk about speed cameras lately, and I’ve been clear that they’re an important part of our Vision Zero strategy to reduce serious injuries and fatalities on Toronto’s roads.

Of course, cameras are just one of many tools we’re using to make Don Valley North’s streets safer for everyone.

You may have already noticed new 30 km/h speed limit signs appearing across the ward. Through the City’s Area Local Speed Limit Reduction Program, all local roads in Don Valley North are being reduced to 30 km/h. Signs are posted at the entry and exit points of each neighbourhood. By reducing speeds on neighbourhood roads, we can help protect children and seniors while allowing traffic to move safely and efficiently on our arterial roads.

It will take about six months for the entire ward to be completed, but you can follow the rollout on the Vision Zero Mapping Tool. The City is also launching a public education campaign about these changes, and the Safe Speeds Toolkit offers resources for residents who want to take action on speeding concerns in their own neighbourhoods.

Another one of the Vision Zero tools we often hear about, even from Premier Ford recently, is speed humps.

You may have seen new ones going in around Don Valley North. Recent installations include:

• Brian Drive from Sheppard Ave E to Old Sheppard Ave

• Kingslake Road from Godstone Rd to Gleneagle Crescent

• Adra Grado Way from the west end to Leslie Street

So how do speed humps get approved?

Our approach to traffic calming is community-initiated, starting with a request from a resident like you. We do ask for some support from your neighbours before beginning the process, and my office is here to help guide you every step of the way.

Once a request has shown clear community support, my office can submit a formal request to the City’s Transportation Services Division for a traffic calming study.

That study reviews traffic data and safety conditions to determine whether the street meets the City’s criteria for traffic calming. If it does, staff will recommend the most effective solution — often speed humps — and prepare a detailed report that must ultimately be approved by North York Community Council.

Before anything goes to Community Council, we make sure local residents are consulted. My office and I hand-deliver letters and share notices through this e-blast to inform them of the proposed changes, and residents are encouraged to send us feedback directly or speak at Community Council when the item appears on the agenda.

Once approved, the installation is added to the City’s capital works schedule.

We’re also addressing neighbourhood-wide issues through Neighbourhood Streets Plans (NSPs), a newer program that looks at broader traffic and travel patterns.

Right now, the City is developing The Peanut Streets Plan, focusing on:

• Safety for vulnerable road users — especially pedestrians, children, older adults, and cyclists

• Reducing speeding

• Managing traffic volume on local streets

Phase 1 of public consultation took place earlier this year and drew over 400 comments on our online map, along with strong participation at our public drop-in event.

The Phase 2 public consultation and online survey will launch on Wednesday, October 22 on the project webpage. Residents will be able to review the proposed actions and share their feedback through the survey.

I’d also like to invite you to a Public Drop-in Event for the Peanut Streets Plan:

• When: Wednesday, November 5

• Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

• Location: Georges Vanier Secondary School (Cafeteria) 3000 Don Mills Road East, North York, M2J 3C8

If you’d like your street or neighbourhood studied for traffic calming measures, please reach out to my office. Together, we can keep making Don Valley North safer for everyone.

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