Road Safety at the intersection of Fleet Street, Bathurst Street, and Lake Shore Boulevard West

In 2006, City Council endorsed closing vehicular access to one block of westbound Fleet Street between Bathurst Street and Iannuzzi Street, which would shorten the crossing distance for pedestrians and simplify the intersection for drivers. Concern about this intersection was one of the most common themes I heard from community members throughout the consultations for the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Plan in 2014 and 2015. In July, 2015, City Council gave direction to City staff to revisit the feasibility of such a closure (TE7.60). In addition, in 2018, City Council approved the Waterfront Transit Network Plan (EX30.1) including a long-term goal to completely reconfigure the intersection of Bathurst, Lake Shore, and Fleet by relocating streetcar tracks and permanently pedestrianizing the adjacent block of Fleet Street. As part of the Waterfront Transit Network Plan, I fought for and secured City Council authority to pilot quick, short-term improvements to the intersection that don't need to wait for the full, long-term reconfiguration. After years of study and approval, progress is long overdue on safety improvements here. City staff are currently preparing a report on any outstanding approvals needed from City Council in order to finally try closing the block of westbound Fleet Street to vehicles from Bathurst to Iannuzzi. With a target to implement the closure this summer when traffic volumes are lowest, it is necessary for City Council to give direction in June, which is unfortunately not possible under the standard reporting timelines. I am requesting that Toronto and East York Council authorize City staff to report directly to City Council about these matters.