Councillor Gord Perks has informed the BIA that the 2009-10 reconstruction of Roncesvalles is tentatively scheduled to take place between August 2009 and August 2010. The reconstruction time has expanded due to a provincial requirement that the lead water mains beneath Roncesvalles be replaced. This requirement adds an additional big project to the existing two (the sidewalks and the street/streetcar … Read More
Roncesvalles EA display boards available online
On July 9, the City of Toronto and the TTC hosted an open house to outline various proposals for the 2009-10 reconstruction of Roncesvalles. The open house is part of the Environmental Assessment process, required under provincial law. The City’s Roncesvalles EA page can be viewed here. The City also posted the display boards that were shown during the open … Read More
Roncesvalles Avenue Environmental Assessment Public Open House July 9th
The public is invited to an Open House and Public Consultation regarding the planned streetscape improvements of Roncesvalles Avenue in 2009. The Open House will be on Wednesday, July 9th from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Room at Emmanuel Howard Park United Church (214 Wright Avenue at Roncesvalles). The City regards public consultation as an important part of … Read More
No more left turns along Roncesvalles?
Left turns along streetcar routes may soon be a thing of the past, according to yesterday’s Toronto Star and today’s National Post. Traffic services staff are considering a ban, which would prevent streetcars from being blocked behind a row of motorists as they try to turn left. The King route, of which Roncesvalles is the final leg, is among those … Read More
Sharing space along Roncesvalles
The recent death of a cyclist on Eglinton Avenue reminds us of the dangers of riding on roads dominated by cars. In this tragic case, the driver of a parked car thoughtlessly opened her door into the path of the cyclist, who then fell into the path of a cube van. His death has prompted cycling activists to push for more … Read More
The challenges of greening Roncesvalles
Trees and greenery are an important community priority, for both aesthetic and environmental reasons. Urban trees provide shade, cool the air and actually consume 15 times as much carbon dioxide as the same trees in a rural setting. For these reasons, the City wants to double the urban tree canopy from the current 17 percent to 30 percent. To achieve … Read More
City announces EA for Roncesvalles reconstruction
In 2009, the TTC will be replacing the streetcar tracks along Roncesvalles, and the City will perform major repairs on the sidewalks at the same time. The BIA has been working with community members, City staffers, the TTC and Councillor Gord Perks’ office to seek streetscape improvements beyond the basic state-of-good-repair. As a result of these efforts, the scope of … Read More
A new subway line for Roncesvalles?
Today’s National Post reports that the TTC will "seriously consider" a plan for a new subway line that would run underneath Roncesvalles from the Dundas West station. One proposed map of the route (above) shows the subway stopping at Sorauren and Dundas, and then travelling down to Liberty Village. The subway then travels east-west along the rail corridor then turns … Read More
Roncesvalles reconstruction WILL take place in 2009
Councillor Gord Perks has just called us to confirm that the planned reconstruction of Roncesvalles will indeed take place in 2009. Work will likely begin in early spring after the thaw, and will continue through the summer. The Roncesvalles Village BIA is preparing a disruption plan to help businesses cope during the reconstruction.
How to balance accessibility with bike safety
One of the more appealing features of the proposed reconstruction plan for Roncesvalles is the promise of being able to board the streetcar directly from the curb. However, this is more complicated than one might think. For one thing, there is the question of how traffic will move if snow is not completely cleared away from the curb. This was … Read More