One of Toronto's most congested neighbourhoods for traffic might get some much needed relief as plans for a new street in Liberty Village have received support from city staff. A recommendation to add the street to the city's Official Plan goes to a vote at Toronto and East York Community Council on November 15, where it is expected to pass.

According to the report, the new street is proposed as an "east-west pedestrian, cycling, and vehicle connection between Dufferin Street and Strachan Avenue, linking to several existing north-south streets in Liberty Village. [It] comprises two lanes of vehicular travel, a sidewalk on the north side, a multi-use pedestrian and cycling path on the south side, and associated public realm improvements."

Plans for the new thoroughfare have been around for a long time, going all the way back to a proposed extension to Front St., which was ultimately shot down in part due to funding issues and concerns expressed by Parkdale residents worried about traffic dispersing at Dufferin St.

In place of that major project, what's merely referred to as "New Street" would address some of the problems organic to Liberty Village by offering residents a new way to enter and exit the neighbourhood. It would also add cycling infrastructure that would help to connect routes from the west with the new Fort York bridge and Richmond/Adelaide lanes.

An environmental assessment has already been completed, and the project already has city council approval. The street must, however, be added to the Official Plan "in order to secure necessary lands and, potentially, the construction of portions of the New Street through redevelopment of abutting properties," explains the city report.

That means relief is still a long ways off for the neighbourhood, but with municipal support for the street strong, it's likely to become a reality in the years ahead.

Photo by Mary Crandall.