Toronto Fire Services are against a plan to install speed humps along Hay Avenue to curb speeders.
Etobicoke York Community Council will decide on May 13 if six speed humps will be installed on Hay from Ourland Avenue to Royal York Road, in Mimico.
The City’s Transportation Services has recommended the speed humps, which will cost about $24,000 to install, according to a report.
Several dozen residents have signed a petition calling for traffic calming measures on the two-way, east-west street.
“The residents are concerned that motorists travel at a high rate of speed on Hay Avenue,” according to the report. City staff had no problems with speed humps being installed on the 750 metre roadway.
A City survey said about 870 vehicles use the road daily and the speed limit is 50 kilometres an hour.
The report said parking, or the number of spots, will not be affected on the street if humps are installed. There will also be minimal affects to street cleaning, winter services or garbage collection.
Only Toronto Fire Services, of Toronto Police and Paramedic Services, objected to the humps.
“Toronto Fire Services advised they do not support the installation of speed humps as it may negatively impact their service delivery,” according to the report.
District Chief Joseph Del Vasto told City staff the humps will have a negative impact in firefighting service delivery.
“The physical restrictions imposed by speed humps have a greater impact on fire vehicles,” Del Vasto wrote. “Response time increases with every obstacle encountered responding to any emergency incident.”
He said several speed humps can greatly increase response times.
Del Vasto asked that non-physical measures be considered to slow down traffic rather than imposing a physical obstacle to emergency vehicles.
The City said speed humps will result in slower operating speeds for all vehicles, including emergency service vehicles.
A decision is pending by Etobicoke York Community Council.