Woolwich Street

The Dunvegan Drive and Margaret Avenue studies have their own information sections. The information for all three studies, including an explanation of traffic calming, can also be viewed in a single PDF in our Document Library. The maps for the draft plans are not accessible, if you would like this information in an alternate format, please contact the Project Team.

The Woolwich Street study area falls within the neighbourhood bounded by University Avenue and Bridle Trail to the west, the Grand River to the north, east and south. The study focuses on Woolwich Street between University Avenue East and Bridle Trail.

Table 4 summarizes the characteristics of Woolwich Street based on the City’s warrant analysis for traffic calming.

TABLE 4: Woolwich Street Study Area Highlights

The following observations were noted during a site visit on Friday, January 15, 2021:

• Road cross-section is 9.0 metres and includes on-street exclusive bike lanes;
• Bike lanes were covered in snow;
• Multi-use path provided along one side and sidewalk on the other. Pedestrian crossings at intersections are marked but require refreshing;
• On-street parking is prohibited. No illegal on-street parking was observed;
• Roundabout at Woolwich Street, Kiwanis Park Drive and Falconridge Drive intersection;
• Mini-roundabout at Woolwich Street and Carriage Way/Falconridge Drive intersection;
• Observed a driver on Woolwich Street failing to yield right of way to side street traffic at the Woolwich Street and Carriage Way/Falconridge Drive intersection
• Pedestrians observed crossing Woolwich Street at Carriage Way/Falconridge Drive; and
• Wismer Street does not connect through to University Avenue

Considerations for Traffic Calming

Based on the collected data and discussions with the City, speeding is the main concern in the study area. Woolwich Street is the main road into the neighbourhood and is perceived as a by-pass for Bridge Street East and University Avenue East. The City recently reconstructed Woolwich Street between University Avenue East and Kiwanis Park Drive with traffic calming in mind, including narrower lanes, on-road exclusive bike lanes, mini-roundabouts and knock-down signs. Potential traffic calming measures selected for the study area should reduce vehicle speeds and complement the existing measures.

Vertical deflection measures are anticipated to have the greatest benefit in terms of speed reductions. This category of measures was selected as the basis for the Woolwich Street Study Area traffic calming plan. Measures were spaced based on the guidance detailed in the Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) Traffic Calming Guide to achieve an 85th percentile speed of 50 km/h.

Additionally, the existing traffic calming measures and proposed vertical deflection measures can be supplemented through the use of knock-down signs in the most developed areas of the Woolwich Street corridor. The signs remind drivers to slow down and be aware of their surroundings.

Proposed Traffic Calming Plan

The Woolwich Street plan drawing shows the study area being examined. The traffic calming plan created features the following measures (the numbering corresponds to the numbered boxes shown on the plan):

1. Install speed humps on Woolwich Street (10).
2. Install knock-down signs on Woolwich Street during the spring, summer and fall seasons. The City has already implemented a set between Wismer Street and Cedarcliffe Drive. Additional sets should be placed between Hawkswood Drive and south of Carriage Way, and south of Sunbridge Crescent and north of Bridle Trail.

The draft Woolwich Street plan is also available in PDF

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