On June 15 council agenda there is a staff report including recommendations for improving traffic flow at Keele/King Road by regulating parking and for uploading two road segments to York region. Addressing the intersection congestion is long overdue. I think the proposal is an improvement and is respectful of the need for some street parking by the businesses. The recommendations to upload the segments of Keele St. and 17th Sideroad makes sense, particularly the Keele segment. As indicated, the recommendation is for Council to make a resolution on these matters which will then go to York Region for approval and implementation in 2024.
I doubt that anyone argues that it is acceptable to do nothing in terms of the traffic flow at the intersection of Keele/King Rd. The predictable congestion during the two rush hour periods is such that commuters use local residential roads to avoid the intersection which in turn creates issues in those neighborhoods. If it weren’t for the important and celebrated buildings on the east and west side of Keele south of King Rd. the solution would be widening the road to create new turning lanes; but as we value those buildings such is not possible. The proposal includes transforming an existent lane into both being a turning lane and a through lane; but this can only occur if in the defined area there is no parking.
To enable the turning lanes to function parking/stopping must be regulated.
Parking study in 2018 showed that there is adequate parking in the area but for a variety of reasons it is not being used. Either it is not known or it is not accessible in a satisfactory manner. The municipal parking lot north of King Rd. on the west side is a well kept secret; better signage is required. Parking on Doctors Lane and accessing businesses on Keele will be made easier and more pleasant with the footpath north side of All Saints; it will be illuminated and will receive winter maintenance. A pedestrian crosswalk on Keele is proposed to be installed also.
Although I support the overall concept I do have a couple questions. Is it necessary to have such a lengthy “no stop” strip on east side 4-6pm and west side in the morning? And why is there no “no stop” short segment on west side as there is on east side?
If you wish to make a deputation and/or provide your comments in an email you need to register (or send that email) by noon June 12 to clerks@king.ca. And as always comments on this blog are welcomed and can inform my comments at Council.
I have been driving through that intersection in all directions for 20 + years. By far, the most congested direction is going north on Keele at the evening rush hour. I believe that the congestion would be greatly relieved by prohibiting parking on the east side of Keele from the church to King Road for 4 to 6 pm on weekdays.