This map shows the proposed bike lane on Lawrence Ave. E. from Port Union Rd. to Rouge Hills Dr.

By Rob Elbertsen

One of the proposed projects in Toronto’s Cycling Network Plan will create bike lanes on Lawrence Ave. between Port Union Rd. and Rouge Hills Dr. The city notes that these bike lanes will provide improved bike connections to Rouge National Park, Rouge Hill GO Station, the Waterfront Trail, and the future bike lanes planned for Port Union Rd.

On Wednesday, April 10, the city hosted a two-hour public drop-in event at the West Rouge Community Centre to present plans for the proposed bike lanes on Lawrence Ave. This event allowed residents to view the draft bike lane designs, provide feedback and to ask questions and speak to city staff in attendance. Staff were pleased with the estimated 30-50 residents who attended the drop-in and provided much feedback.

There were several display boards set up with detailed information, maps and drawings of the proposed bike lanes. The current lane configuration on Lawrence Ave. changes between Port Union Rd. and Rouge Hills Dr. To accommodate these different lane configurations, there are three proposed bike lane configurations: Port Union Rd. to East Ave., East Ave. to Frank Faubert Dr., and Frank Faubert Dr. to Rouge Hills Dr. These proposed street cross-section drawings were on display at the drop-in, and can be viewed on the project website at toronto.ca/lawrencebikelanes.

City staff will produce a Public Consultation Report, which they hope to present to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee in June. The proposal will then be considered by Toronto City Council in July, and if approved the installation of the bike lanes will take place in late 2019. Note that this project is dependent on two major Lawrence Ave. resurfacing projects between Meadowvale Rd. and East Ave.