yongeTOmorrow - Municipal Class Environmental Assessment on Yonge Street from Queen Street to College/Carlton Street

There is overcrowding and insufficient clearway on some sections of sidewalk. The number of pedestrians on the street is expected to continue to grow due to a projected doubling in population and employment in the surrounding area by 2041 along with a continued mode shift towards walking. Without improvement, the sidewalks will become critically deficient, risk pedestrian safety, and deter significant economic and cultural investment. Yonge Street also lacks space for seating, sidewalk cafes, and plantings which support enjoyment of the street as a destination. With a limited right-of-way of 20 metres there are many demands being placed on the street by people walking, cycling, and driving. Prioritization and management of the interactions between all modes is critical. Consideration must also be given to the operation of surface transit, as well as curbside activities like deliveries and ride hailing which support the local economy. The Downtown Plan (TOcore) adopted by City Council in May 2018 identified Yonge Street as one of Toronto's Great Streets, a Cultural Corridor, and a Priority Retail Street. The goals set for Yonge Street in TOcore, along with consultation feedback, have guided the evaluation of alternatives for yongeTOmorrow and the prioritization of space within a physically limited public right-of-way. yongeTOmorrow is a Municipal Class 'C' Environmental Assessment focused on the development and evaluation of design alternatives for Yonge Street from Queen Street to College / Carlton Street. A number of opportunities have been considered to increase pedestrian space and improve the way people move through and experience downtown Yonge Street. This report summarizes the yongeTOmorrow Environmental Assessment process and the resulting Recommended Design Concept which proposes shifting the existing curb alignment to increase sidewalk widths by removing two driving lanes on Yonge Street from College / Carlton Street to Queen Street. While the design of the street recommended through the yongeTOmorrow Environmental Assessment process would be consistent for the entire stretch, the study also evaluated various traffic operational strategies and proposes a flexible approach that would change the way the street functions from day to night. During the day, the one kilometre long stretch of Yonge Street between College / Carlton Street and Queen Street would be prioritized for people walking, cycling, and experiencing the street, while still providing for access and delivery routing needs through pedestrian priority zones, one-way and two-way driving access combined strategically to reduce traffic volumes. Overnight all blocks would have two-way driving access to support Toronto Transit Commission night bus service, deliveries, and general traffic. A cast iron watermain constructed in 1889 exists beneath Yonge Street from Queen Street to College / Carlton Street. This watermain is due for replacement and Yonge Street will need to be reconstructed to facilitate replacement of the watermain. There is an urgency to arrive at a long term design solution for Yonge Street so that road works can be bundled with the watermain replacement.

Study Report for the yongeTOmorrow Schedule "C" Municipal Class Environmental Assessment on the public record for a minimum 30 days in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Act.