Summer Parkdale interchange work

One of the major construction projects this summer in our ward will be the re-alignment of the westbound off-ramp from the 417 at the Parkdale intersection and rehabilitation of the bridge. It will mean the ramp will be closed for around two months with traffic expected to use a variety of diversions including the Kirkwood/Island Park and Bronson exits.

The construction will see the existing use of Westmount as the westbound off-ramp changed to create a new off-ramp that will more closely hug the Queensway, and Westmount separated from it by a barrier and turned into a cul-de-sac at Parkdale. There will also be a slight widening of the eastbound off-ramp to normalize its existing use as two lanes. And, the eastbound on-ramp will see the curbs brought closer together to make a tighter, slower turning radius and shorter crossing distance. There’s more info here.

I've asked for the City's view of how traffic is likely to be diffused, noted below. The main closures shouldn't affect school traffic, and summer traffic is slower. But, I will be closely monitoring along with the City how things progress.

The City and our MPP Yasir Naqvi have provided me with the following information related to the closures, and I'll be posting more information as I receive it.

Schedule

Area of Work	Details	Start Date	End Date
417 Eastbound Parkdale ramps north and south	Both ramps will experience full closures.	June 26	August 19
417 Westbound Parkdale ramps north and south	Both ramps will experience full closures.	May 22	September 17
417 Eastbound Parkdale ramps north and south	Ongoing construction on the new alignment. Traffic delays expected.	May 20	June 26
417 Eastbound Parkdale ramps north and south	Full closure of the westbound ramp expected.	June 26	August 19
Westmount Avenue	Landscaping work.	August 20	August 31
417 Westbound North and south sides	Install noise wall.	July 13	July 23

Signage

During the overnight ramp closures, highway lane reductions and long term ramp closures the MTO will be advertising with their permanent Variable Message Signage located along Hwy. 417 from Woodroffe to Nicholas.

Traffic Analysis

• Peak hour traffic volumes on the Hwy. 417 westbound off-ramp at Parkdale are approximately 700 vehicles/hour.
• During ramp closures traffic is expected to be redirected through the Bronson, Island Park and Kirkwood interchanges.
  • Traffic destined for northbound Parkdale is expected to split 60% via Bronson and 40% via Island Park.
  • Traffic destined for southbound Parkdale is expected to split 50% via Bronson and 50% via Kirkwood.
• Based on the above noted redistribution of traffic all intersection with the exception of Bronson/Carling are expected to operate at an acceptable level of service (based on city standards).
  • Based on the analysis the Bronson/Carling intersection is expected to operate above the city’s acceptable level of service during the PM peak period. It should be noted that during existing conditions this intersection operates with 1% of the city’s acceptable standard.