[LikeHamilton]

All city funding lead to downtown streets

Kevin Werner Jun 06, 2008 Dundas Star News

Hamilton councillors ignored the crumbling conditions of suburban roads, and instead approved spending nearly $9 million in provincial funding to fix up the city’s downtown streets instead.

“We all have roads that need to be done,” said Ward 7 councillor Scott Duvall, who was one of only a handful of councillors who opposed the recommendation. “I thought there would be a sharing option. There are roads (identified) as hot spots in the 1980s that are still not done.”

A fiery Stoney Creek councillor Brad Clark blasted city staff during last week’s council meeting for directing the provincial funding to roads in the downtown area without providing a proper criteria as to why the decision was made.

“If we don’t do something about (the suburban roads) they will become like moon scapes,” he said. “They are 60 to 70 years old. I swear the (Battle of Stoney Creek) battlefield was fought there.”

Hamilton is expecting to receive by the end of June $8.8 million from the provincial government’s $400 million one-time capital investment to fix up roads and bridges in municipalities located outside the Greater Toronto Area. The announcement was made in the province’s March 2008 budget announcement.

City staff determined the best way to use the extra money was to upgrade 12 roads in the city’s downtown core. They include Aberdeen Avenue from Longwood Road to Studholme Road, Barton Street from Ferguson to James Street, Bay Street from Bridge to Cannon street, Hunter Street from John to Wellington Street south, King Street from Bay Street to James Street, Main Street from Dundurn to Hess Street and Wellington Street from King Street to Main Street.

City staff provided an alternative option for council’s consideration that identified eight streets for needed upgrades located in wards 4, 7 and 9. They were East 38th Street from Fennell to Queensdale, West 27th Street from Sanatorium to Price, West 35th Street from Scenic Drive all the way to the end, and Lake Avenue Drive in Stoney Creek from Queenston to King Street.

Even though city public works staff characterized these road as in dire need of improvements, they argued against councillors selecting the alternative option because the improvements would also include an extra (unfunded) $7 million in sewer upgrades.

“We are $100 million short (in infrastructure funding),” said Public Works General Manager Scott Stewart. “We could spend this money any where.”

Mr. Stewart and Corporate Services General Manager Joe Rinaldo said the funding needed to be used up within a year on projects that would be easily completed.

City staff argued it could take up to two years before the suburban road upgrades would be completed compared to one year for the downtown road projects.

But under intense questioning from Mr. Clark, city staff backtracked, acknowledging the province would not take back any of its funding.

Transportation Ministry spokesperson Bob Nichols said there is no criteria, nor deadline requirements for how municipalities use the funding.

Mr. Clark, who represents residents along Lake Avenue, said the city is spending less money this year on road repair than in 2007.

“I can’t support this,” he said. “We should deal with the dire roads first.”

Mr. Clark also questioned what criteria city staff used to select the downtown roads, but he came away unsatisfied with their answers.

Mountain councillor Terry Whitehead said he was “holding my nose” and voting for the downtown roads project. He pointed out over the last four months there have been four water main breaks along Upper James.

“Instead of fixing the roads, they are bursting and popping all over the place,” he said.

:slob:

[SteelTown]

I'm a pretty laid back kind of person but holy are they ever going to finish the road repair for Garth St?

It's been under construction since June 2008, nearly a year now. They did most of all the work before Christmas but all winter there was never any road paint. After awhile I figured it was a new open road concept or something.

Finally today they painted one section of Garth St.

Next the city is going to shut down Stone Church from West 5th to Garth. FINALLY! Potholes after potholes with pebbles sidewalks. Again this is suppose to last from June until Dec 09. Omni and Stone Church will shut down as well for a new roundabout at the same time.

[Hammer Native]

I'm just guessing here as to what the hold-up might be with that, but there was a news story about the city trying some new environment friendly paint on the roads, with less toxins (if any) in them. Problem was it didn't hold up under our harsh winter conditions so the city will likely have to come up with something else. An example is King St. West between James and Bay, it was put down there last year and has already worn to the point where you can barely see any lines.

[SteelTown]

^ They are STILL working on the sidewalks on Garth St.

[Millstone]

I screamed at the roads dept about the faulty line painting on Fennell between Upper Wentworth and Upper Wellington from the construction last year... there was a wrongly-placed yellow line and people were driving on either side of it. You'll noticed that it's fixed now.

[adam]

Yep, the bike lanes along York are really faded - only after 1 winter? Must be the new paint they were trying out.

[Millstone]

Yep, the bike lanes along York are really faded - only after 1 winter? Must be the new paint they were trying out.

No matter, people drive all over them anyway. Some of those plastic poles are in order.

[LikeHamilton]

The final coat of asphalt may not go on until latter in the year. Usually after major sewer, water and roadwork, they will wait to see if the road will settle. It is not suppose to settle but it happens from time to time. They may get a bad connection or complaint about poor service and have to rip up a good road.

[Millstone]

They're making short work on Victoria Ave, looks like it might be done by now

[thistleclub]

^ They are STILL working on the sidewalks on Garth St.

Nobody said infrastructure stimulus would be painless.

Anyone recall the year in the early '90s when the downtown Hamilton sidewalks were installed along King? A few businesses went under because of the decline in foot traffic as entire blocks reverted to gravel, which had to be regularly hosed down to prevent dust devils. Real Wild West atmosphere.

Mountain roadwork is often like this, it seems to me. The worst is when the projects lag and you have two or three major thoroughfares halved at the same time. But then again, everyone has to deal with construction delays eventually.

[SteelTown]

Quick fix coming for Aberdeen bridge

May 26, 2009
Nicole Macintyre
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/572041

The bridge connecting Aberdeen Avenue to Highway 403 will disappear next summer and reappear within 48 hours.

Call it a concrete magic trick.

The aging overpass has been selected by the Ministry of Transportation for rapid bridge replacement, an innovative engineering technique that has only been used a handful of times in Canada.

It would take two construction seasons to replace the bridge the old-fashioned way.

"This will be one weekend when traffic is impacted, instead of 12 to 18 months," said Ministry of Transportation spokesperson Will MacKenzie.

"It's a much more complex process."

The Aberdeen replacement is part of a two-year plan to rehabilitate eight local highway bridges and ramps, including York Boulevard, King and Main streets.

The ministry has yet to put a price tag on the massive project, which is about to be tendered. Work will be staggered from next summer to 2012.

Drivers can expect delays throughout the process, which will require some lane reductions and ramp closures. However, MacKenzie said the ministry will only work on one access at a time to limit the headache for drivers.

"It will be one after another."

Most of the bridges were built in the 1960s and have undergone few upgrades in the subsequent decades. Ministry consultant Edward Li said the structures are in poor condition with failing road surfaces, damaged and leaking joints and deteriorating supports.

The Main Street overpass was also damaged by fire in 2003.

Though there have been emergency repairs to the structures over the years, Li said a major overhaul is needed.

The Aberdeen bridge had to be closed temporarily in 2007 after a road crew discovered a hole in the deck. MacKenzie said the overpass is a perfect candidate for rapid replacement because it's made of concrete, while the other bridges have major steel parts.

Though rapid replacement is becoming increasingly popular south of the border, it's still rare in Canada. The technology has been used twice in Ottawa to replace bridges on the busy Queensway.

The Aberdeen project will be the first multi-span replacement in the country.

Michel Vachon, who was the structural design manager with McCormick Rankin for both Ottawa projects, said the technique reduces the environmental impacts of construction, such as air emissions, and the economic consequences of traffic congestion.

"In this case, there was high risk, high reward."

During a rapid removal, construction crews remove the old bridge using self-propelled modular transporters, which can lift loads as heavy as a fully loaded Boeing 747. The new bridge, which is made nearby, is then moved into place like a puzzle piece. Correct measurements are critical, said Vachon, noting the bridge's design allows for adjustments.

The first process in Ottawa in 2007, which took less than a day, drew more than 1,000 spectators. It also attracted the attention of the Discovery Channel and was broadcast live on the local TV station.

Timeline for repairs

Aberdeen Avenue: one weekend, June to August 2010

Main Street: 12 weeks, spring-summer 2010

King Street: six weeks, July to August 2011

York Boulevard: 16 weeks, spring-summer 2012

[SteelTown]

They've finally repaved a section of the Linc from the on ramp from the 403, close to Meadowlands. That section had so many friggin potholes but now it's nice and smooth. They must have done it overnight.

[SteelTown]

The new roundabout at Omni and Stone Church is beautiful! I figured they put a cement roundabout and that's it. Instead the roundabout has dirt in the centre so obviously it'll have flowers in the spring/summer and with red bricks edge/trimming. Awesome job.

[Gurnett71]

:previous: Yeah, the roundabout looks good and works well. :)

Still a few people that don't yield - had a few close calls so far but becoming more rare as people become accustomed to it (use the roundabout every day myself as I live in that subdivision). But, all in all, the roundabout has cut down on the congestion for those who are trying to make a turn eastbound onto Stonechurch from Omni, including the bus.

A big :tup: to the city for the roundabout!

[SteelTown]

A sinkhole forced the closure of Upper James from Fennell to Mohawk St. Traffic nightmare on the Mountain obviously.

[realcity]

How long until York Blvd is done? That Library and Market seems to be taking forever. One can't even enter/exit JS on the north side anymore. And today coming from Burlington I noticed a new area of York down to two lanes.

Only thing taking longer is the Lister? What's up with that? do they intend to have it finished by 2015? Everything moves at a snails pace in this city. The ESB was built in 11 months.

Another sink hole is by Mohawk College on West 5th, curb lane southbound. It's been there for about 5 years. And the city recently only installed a sign indicating a 'bump' in the road. I move out of that lane to avoid it, it's bad, you'll kill your ball joints.

[Jon Dalton]

It's been really nice with York down to 2 lanes, hopefully an indication of what's to come with the 2 way configuration. It's so much easier and more fun to go up and down James street without the onslaught of speeding traffic at York. I wouldn't mind if it just stayed at 2 lanes!

[go_leafs_go02]

Worst Roads in the Country from what I've seen. Absolutely a Shame.

Upper Wellington from the Linc to Rymal gets a vote for me. It's paved like a country road from the 1980s.

[emge]

No Hamilton road has ANYTHING on Steeles Avenue West in Toronto... ugh.

[realcity]

I'm not talking so much about the 3 minute delay getting from Bay to James along York. It's PEDESTRIAN problem. I park north of the mall and it's getting to ridiculous to try and enter JS. It always was lame with only the library and Pete and Martys entrances, now both those are closed and it looks like forever before they ever finish this gawwdamn thing.

[go_leafs_go02]

No Hamilton road has ANYTHING on Steeles Avenue West in Toronto... ugh.

Maybe one or two streets elsewhere would beat. But the overall disrepair of almost every single road in Hamilton (particularily on the Mountain) is disgraceful. Mohawk Road, West 5th, Upper James, Upper Wellington, all filled with cracks, potholes, weeds growing in the cracks.

[SteelTown]

The new roundabout at Omni and Stone Church is beautiful! I figured they put a cement roundabout and that's it. Instead the roundabout has dirt in the centre so obviously it'll have flowers in the spring/summer and with red bricks edge/trimming. Awesome job.

The Omni roundabout is even more beautiful with the four Christmas trees all lit up at night.

[matt602]

Thought I should post that after 2 (or 3?) gas pipe breaks and months of construction, Woodward Avenue between Melvin and Brampton is finally done. Weirdly enough, they added a bike lane on each side. It's rather useless however, as neither Barton nor Melvin have bike lanes.

[bornagainbiking]

This may be an East Hamilton connector to the beach trail. Either thru Rennie or Brampton Street to the new bike bridge.

[SteelTown]

City plans traffic circles for Upper James Numerous roundabouts planned

Apr 01, 2011
http://www.hamiltonmountainnews.com/news/article/232651

A traffic roundabout is being installed at Upper James and Mohawk in an attempt to reduce crashes at the busy intersection.

If the experiment is a success, roundabouts will be installed at every intersection from Fennell south to Rymal over the next few years.

"There are just too many accidents on Upper James and this will help reduce that," said city spokesman Avril Feul. "After everyone gets used to it -- and we admit our study says most people will get into a fender bender before they get the hang of it -- it should improve things.

"Besides, it's very European."

Niek Mabuurs, a proponent of roundabouts, said the he hopes the experiment is a success so the city can achieve its goal of saving $98,000 a year in electricity savings by having traffic circles at all major intersections by 2020.

Construction is scheduled to be completed April 1, 2012.

[SteelTown]

Wow never expected a roundabout at Mohawk/Upper James or even on Upper James. When can we expect roundabouts along Main St.

[mishap]

Wow never expected a roundabout at Mohawk/Upper James or even on Upper James. When can we expect roundabouts along Main St.
As soon as the ones on Upper James are open. Main/ Cootes and Main/ Osler are expected to be ready by April 1, 2013.

[flar]

I don't see what the big deal is with traffic circles and roundabouts.

Okay, less idling compared to waiting for the light to change.

And everyone has to slow down to get through them, which is not necessarily a good thing on certain roads, but it does stop people from racing to beat the light.

But, how will pedestrians cross these things with the constant flow of traffic on roads like Upper James and Mohawk?

Are they proven to reduce accidents? I find many people don't use roundabouts and traffic circles properly.

They also take up a lot of space.

[shabooga]

City plans traffic circles for Upper James Numerous roundabouts planned

Apr 01, 2011
http://www.hamiltonmountainnews.com/news/article/232651

A traffic roundabout is being installed at Upper James and Mohawk in an attempt to reduce crashes at the busy intersection.

If the experiment is a success, roundabouts will be installed at every intersection from Fennell south to Rymal over the next few years.

"There are just too many accidents on Upper James and this will help reduce that," said city spokesman Avril Feul. "After everyone gets used to it -- and we admit our study says most people will get into a fender bender before they get the hang of it -- it should improve things.

"Besides, it's very European."

Niek Mabuurs, a proponent of roundabouts, said the he hopes the experiment is a success so the city can achieve its goal of saving $98,000 a year in electricity savings by having traffic circles at all major intersections by 2020.

Construction is scheduled to be completed April 1, 2012.
Could this be an April Fools joke?

[Gurnett71]

:previous:

Nice catch!!

[shabooga]

Could this be an April Fools joke?

Just noticed the following quote from the article:

said city spokesman Avril Feul

Avril Feul = April Fool

[flar]

second time I've been fooled today

[SteelTown]

muhahahaha

[SteelTown]

to be shut down this summer

http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/514158--linc-to-be-shut-down-this-summer

It’s going to be an interesting summer for motorists in Hamilton.

City officials have revealed the entire Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway will be stripped and resurfaced with new asphalt beginning in June.

And because it’s only a four-lane divided highway, the only way to do it, says Gary Moore, director of engineering services in public works, is to close one section of highway in one direction at a time.

“We hope to start notifying the public in May.”

The $5-million contract closed for tenders this week. Beginning in June, progressive sections of the Linc will be shut down in one direction at a time during the summer weekends, and reopened weekdays as reduced speed construction zones.

Traffic will be redirected onto city streets during the closures.

The city and police have been working for several years on comprehensive emergency detour route (EDR) plans for both the Linc and Red Hill parkways. The Red Hill detour route plan had been the designated priority in the wake of devastating rainstorms that flooded the highway.

[Dwils01]

Westbound lanes were closed on Saturday for the Linc.
All westbound traffic was using Fennell, Mohawk, Stone Church, and Rymal. They were very slow, Rymal and Stone Church were back up from at least Dartnall to Upper Paradise. Even Twenty Road was slower than usual. I used Dickenson and had no problems. Not going to go out on the weekends anymore.

[markbarbera]

When the Linc closes, it really does impact traffic on the mountain. Fortunately the work is being reduced to four weekends. Next weekend they will pave the westbound lanes, then the following weekend they'll suspend work due to the air show, then the following two weekends the eastbound ramps and lanes will close for resurfacing. As long as weather cooperates, the work will be done mid-July.

[msakalau]

i can remember taking car rides along mohawk as a kid to shop at the newly built price club in ancaster.

or even limeridge road to get across to the west mountain.

the link sure has impacted how people get around on the mountain, and these closures are evidence.

[DC1983]

i can remember taking car rides along mohawk as a kid to shop at the newly built price club in ancaster.

or even limeridge road to get across to the west mountain.

the link sure has impacted how people get around on the mountain, and these closures are evidence.

My school bus used to take Limeridge Rd all the way from Kenilworth to W5th. Now it's all chopped up and confuse-y! haha
Makes for great street-hockey coves tho!

[SteelTown]

I loved Limeridge Road, nice mature trees all long the road. I remember I would jump up and down whenever my parents passed by McDonald's on Limeridge, "oooooh please stop!!" lol. That or I'd roll the windows down to smell the fries.

Parts of the Linc was a nice smooth ride this morning!

[DC1983]

I loved Limeridge Road, nice mature trees all long the road. I remember I would jump up and down whenever my parents passed by McDonald's on Limeridge, "oooooh please stop!!" lol. That or I'd roll the windows down to smell the fries.

Parts of the Linc was a nice smooth ride this morning!

Speaking of repairs.. Limeridge Rd is desperate for em! I mean, ppl aren't flying down this road like they once used to, but the poor locals off the road. It's a pretty dense street (LOTS of townhomes and enough low-mid rises).

How is it our local streets are ignored over Highways?

[hammerton]

Sanatorium Rd east of Garth is pretty 3rd world. I invite anyone to give it a go.

[DC1983]

Sanatorium Rd east of Garth is pretty 3rd world. I invite anyone to give it a go.

I didn't even know it ran east of Garth! (apparently neither does the City lol)

Weird.. it looks like it was a continuation of the original Mohawk Rd? I wonder if this is actually the case? I'll have to check out my old maps when I get home tn!

[Millstone]

I didn't even know it ran east of Garth! (apparently neither does the City lol)

Weird.. it looks like it was a continuation of the original Mohawk Rd? I wonder if this is actually the case? I'll have to check out my old maps when I get home tn!

That diversion existed as early as 1939 and possibly earlier. Until pretty recently, there would have been a Y intersection so you could access both roads. The maps in the 30s and 40s list Garth St as West 20th St.


How is it our local streets are ignored over Highways?

That isn't the case. Hamilton ignores all roads equally.

[SteelTown]

The Linc this morning was nice with no bumps.

[Gurnett71]

The Linc this morning was nice with no bumps. Westbound lanes at least, to just before Golf Links--still a few rough spots around the 403...think the eastbound lanes are being paved this coming weekend...it certainly is nice! :tup:

[LikeHamilton]

Downtown Arterials Road Resurfacing 2011:

Barton Street West - Bay to James
Main Street East – MacNab to John
James Street South – Charlton to Beckley
John Street South – St. Joseph’s Drive to Young
Markland Street – Bay to James

Starting next month.

The James Street street car tracks are starting to show through again around Bold and Duke.

[mattgrande]

Where's Beckley?

[LikeHamilton]

Where's Beckley?

Behind the GO Centre. John to Hughson.

[fuller]

It looks as though today's Beckley Street is just the driveway serving the parking garage at the Chateau Royale.

Accessible from James Street only, with no addresses, maybe that's why google is agnostic on it. Streetview (http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=East+Avenue+South,+Hamilton,+ON&hl=en&ll=43.253015,-79.87067&spn=0.000478,0.001259&sll=43.248829,-79.854233&sspn=0.006705,0.013797&t=h&z=20&vpsrc=6&layer=c&cbll=43.25306,-79.870648&panoid=l-o7TWj9luTk09K11vKACg&cbp=12,134.37,,0,4.74) did capture the signpost, though, on the right-hand side of the frame .

[SteelTown]

Roundabout at Longwood and Aberdeen: What do you think?

http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/686013--roundabout-at-longwood-and-aberdeen-what-do-you-think

The city wants the west end to go round and round.

Staff are conducting an environmental assessment of the long-term needs of a busy segment of Longwood Road and one of the preferred options is a traffic roundabout at Longwood and Aberdeen Avenue.

The study is looking to solve traffic congestion issues in the area as well as provide safer access for pedestrians and cyclists coming through the developing district around McMaster Innovation Park.

In a 2006 traffic management plan for the area, the city recommended a four-lane cross-section for the road, bicycle lanes and sidewalks on both sides, and a three-lane cross-section for the Longwood Bridge over Highway 403.

It also proposed the roundabout, but the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) did not support the idea. The MTO has since come on board after city staff used micro-simulations of the traffic design to show a circle would work, said Lorissa Skrypniak, senior project manager of transportation planning.

“People are leery (about roundabouts) because it’s a learning process, but (it’s about) just getting the education out there that they are a good thing to have,” Skrypniak said.

“It’s not necessarily faster, but it keeps the traffic moving. If you go there today during rush hour, it’s quite backed-up to make the left turn onto Longwood. So this is to help alleviate that.”

The study area of Longwood stretches from Main Street West to Aberdeen.

While the city is also considering a conventional intersection at the site, the roundabout is preferred, Skrypniak said.

Councillor Brian McHattie said he has mixed feelings about the proposed traffic design. “I think it’s fairly good for cars — perhaps not as good for pedestrians or cyclists, which I tend to emphasize over cars,” he said. “I’m not 100 per cent sold on it.”

McHattie said he likes the idea from an environmental perspective because it would mean cars idle less, cutting down on air pollution, but he wants more answers regarding how pedestrians would cross safely.

The other benefit would be relieving the high volume of traffic at the intersection, he said, noting cars turning into Westdale from Aberdeen are stalled by vehicles going onto the 403.

Mary Lou Reiman, vice-president of the Kirkendall Neighbourhood Association, said the group plans to send a representative to the public information centre and is adding the issue to its agenda.

“I think the feelings in our brief discussion were mixed,” she said. “Some people were thinking a roundabout might not be bad idea; others were thinking (there may be) dangers.”

There are six “modern roundabouts” that have been built in Hamilton since 2002 and 35 circles on residential roadways built prior to them, said Ron Gallo, the city’s senior project manager of signals and system.

The modern roundabouts must fall into specific design requirements and give the right of way to drivers in the roundabout, Gallo said. Older circles gave the right of way to those entering the roundabouts, which has caused congestion, he noted.

Current roundabouts are built with the deflection of the road entering the roundabout in mind as well as the alignment of the entering roadway, Gallo said.

“Initially, what we find is that residents who are not familiar with roundabouts tend to be concerned about how safe they are,” he said. “After they’re constructed … they realize that they work much safer.”

[thistleclub]

Ontario’s Driver and Vehicle Licence Fees Going Up (http://www.thespec.com/news/ontario/article/686782--ontario-s-driver-and-vehicle-licence-fees-going-up) (Canadian Press/Hamilton Spectator, Mar 13, 2012)

"Millions of Ontario motorists will share the pain of eliminating the province’s massive deficit by paying more in driving and licence fees.

The governing Liberals are hiking the costs of driving, increasing fees for new driver’s licences and renewals to $80 from $75 starting next year.

Getting a vehicle licence validation sticker in southern Ontario, which currently costs $74, will go up to $82 next year and hit $98 in 2014....

Transportation Minister Bob Chiarelli said the measures will bring in $340 million a year by 2014-15, which will help maintain Ontario’s roads and bridges."

[padthai]

Roundabout at Longwood and Aberdeen: What do you think?

I'd be all for it. I like the way they keep traffic moving and I have faith that McHattie will make sure it works for pedestrians and cyclists.

[fuller]

I share your faith that Councilor McHattie will try to ensure that pedestrians and cyclists are accommodated, in addition to vehicular traffic.

But he may be fighting an uphill battle here, considering the City's current advice (http://www.hamilton.ca/CityDepartments/PublicWorks/TrafficEngineeringAndOperations/RoadsTrafficModernRoundabout.htm) to pedestrians who may encounter a roundabout:

Instructions for a Pedestrian at a Roundabout:

> Pay attention. Think. Be prepared to make decisions.

> Step up to the curb and make eye contact with drivers so they know you intend to cross.

> Keep watching all the way across as you cross a multi-lane roundabout, watch for a driver coming in the next lane. Make sure that the driver sees you.

> Look and listen for a safe gap in the traffic flow before crossing. Do not start to cross if a vehicle is so close that the driver can not safely yield the crosswalk to you, or if a driver shows by the way that they are driving that they do not intend to stop for you.

> Use the sidewalks and crosswalks around the outside of the roundabout. Do not cut across the middle of the roundabout.

> Use the splitter island. This will let you cross one direction of traffic at a time. Wait on the splitter island if needed.

> The appropriate gap in traffic is something that you can create by your behaviour, not just something that will eventually occur if you wait long enough. Most drivers slow down as soon as they see a pedestrian at a roundabout crosswalk. Whether they then yield the crosswalk to you by slowing or stopping will depend mostly on your body language. There is enough sight distance at the roundabout for the driver to see you and slow or stop. Drivers are more likely to yield the crosswalk to you if your body language shows that you intend to cross. Use the following assertive body language to clearly tell drivers that you intend to cross:

> Come up to the crosswalk briskly and deliberately – this also shows that you will not make drivers wait a long time for you to cross;

> Scan for a gap in traffic as you come up to the crosswalk;

> Look at the drivers;

> If you have to wait, step up to the curb or even stand with one foot into the crosswalk;

> Start to cross as soon as you are sure that the driver intends to slow or stop to yield the crosswalk to you.

Drivers are more likely to NOT yield the crosswalk to you if your body language shows that you are willing or expecting to wait for a very long gap in traffic before crossing. The driver will assume that you are not ready to cross or do not intend to cross. Passive body language that tells drivers that you are willing to wait may include:

- Slowly ambling up to the crosswalk;
- Not looking at drivers;
- Standing on the sidewalk back from the curb;
- Standing with your hands on your hips;
- Setting down your grocery bags;
- Playing with your cell phone or music player;
- If you are jogging up to the intersection, beginning muscle stretches to fill in the time;
- Not taking advantage of an appropriate gap in traffic to make your crossing;
- Waving drivers on; and
- Hesitating and not starting to cross even when a vehicle is slowing to yield the crosswalk to you.





(I didn't make this up. It's straight from the hamilton.ca website.)

The recommended procedures aren't really all that different from those suggested to hikers who might encounter a black bear.

[markbarbera]

Roundabouts are designed to optimize traffic flow for moving vehicles. Placing one at this intersection will do nothing to improve the current pedestrian experience here.

[sonysnob]

Roundabouts are designed to optimize traffic flow for moving vehicles. Placing one at this intersection will do nothing to improve the current pedestrian experience here.

i once had to write a presentation comparing the accident rate between vehicles and pedestrians at both signalized intersections and roundabouts for a public information centre for the Region of Waterloo. The collision data compiled in Waterloo showed that there were fewer collisions per intersection at roundabouts compared to traffic signals.

[markbarbera]

Exactly. Roundabouts by their nature allow better flow of motor vehicle traffic, thus fewer collisions between motor vehicles. So, from a moving vehicle point of view, they are an improvement. However, by their very design, they encourage constant motor vehicle traffic flow and discourage pedestrian interaction. Roundabouts are great where there is significant motor vehicle traffic with minimal pedestrian interaction such as intersections of suburban access routes. I just question if this is the kind of road infrastructure we would want at this particular intersection.

[Nords]

I'm not sure this intersection would be that big of a deal for pedestrians. If you are coming from Kirkendall and want to walk to MIP and you started south of Aberdeen, you'd likely just cross where the crosswalk is on Aberdeen I think at Chedoke Street. And if you are already on the north side of Aberdeen you wouldn't need to cross Longwood anyway, you'd just keep right onto the sidewalk on Longwood. The only destination that is tricky is the Careport building/automotive research facility. If you are going to walk from Aberdeen to Longwood to Main you can cross at the crosswalk right outside MIP anyway. Plus, I assume there will eventually be a crossing at Frid Street too? I don't see this intersection impacting pedestrians much except for those walking to work or an event at Careport from Aberdeen.

[bluevue]

they should put an exit from the Careport center directly onto Aberdeen westbound allowing easy access to the 403 ramp...currently there is a railway crossing from the center across aberdeen...this could easily be converted.

[SteelTown]

https://p.twimg.com/Aw4mbcnCQAAf9Ur.jpg:large
https://twitter.com/hamiltonecdev/status/220155684761780224/photo/1

https://p.twimg.com/Aw4od6jCMAAMawt.jpg:large
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From hamiltonecdev

Wilson St is open now.

[thistleclub]

With warmer weather, the inevitable.

Queen Street hill to be closed for five months (http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/913509--queen-street-hill-to-be-closed-for-five-months)
(Hamilton Spectator, Mark Newman, Apr 5 2013)

The 20,000 drivers who use the Queen Street hill to get up and down the Mountain each weekday will have to find an alternate route for about five months.

The route, also known as Beckett Drive (http://goo.gl/maps/J9fVr), will be closed between Glenfern Avenue (south of Aberdeen where Queen Street ends) to Fennell Avenue at the top of the hill for road, sewer and retaining wall repairs between May and September.

“There are a lot of drainage issues we need to deal with,” said Susan Jacobs, manager of the design section in the city’s public works department.

Jacob said the city wants to get the work done before September, when the new school year begins at Mohawk College and Hillfield-Strathallan College.

The $3.7-million project is among more than a dozen projects slated for the Mountain this year as part of the city’s approximately $100-million road and sewer work plan.

SELECT MOUNTAIN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Fessenden Neighbourhood Plan (Phase 2): The plan to control area flooding includes a stormwater pond added to the east side of the Sir Allan MacNab high school property. Road, sidewalk and sewer work is also slated for nearby Lynwood Drive, part of Appleford Road, Forestgate Drive and Daisy Street. Work is expected to run May to December. The cost is $5 million, including work done last year.

Mountain Park Avenue (Upper Sherman to Concession Street): This includes road, sewer and sidewalk work along Upper Sherman between Mountain Park Avenue and Concession Street, replacing the bridge over the Sherman Cut and road and sewer work along Mountain Park from Upper Sherman to Concession. Work on Upper Sherman will be from about mid-May to mid-July. The rest of the work will continue through to November.

The bridge expected to be closed from about mid-July to November. The total cost is about $5.6 million.

Sanatorium Road (Redfern Avenue to Chedmac Drive): Sewer and sidewalk work slated from the end of April to September. The intersection of Sanatorium and Redfern will be closed between April 29 and May 12. Access to area parking and Chedoke Hospital will be via a hospital road off of Chedmac.

Broker Drive (Upper Ottawa to Upper Kenilworth): Road, sewer, sidewalk and water-main work will be done starting anytime and continuing through the end of August. The cost is $2.9 million.

Queensdale Avenue (Upper Wentworth to Upper Sherman): Road reconstruction along with new cubs and sidewalks. June to October. The cost is $2.3 million.

Upper Paradise (Stone Church Road to Mohawk): Shave-and-pave road resurfacing, July and August. The cost is $1.2 million.

Inch Park Neighbourhood: Shave-and-pave road resurfacing and curb and sidewalk repairs on Upper Wentworth (Queensdale to Concession), Upper Wentworth (Concession to Mountain Park), East 13th (Mountville to Concession), East 16th (Inverness to Concession), East 17th (Queensdale to Concession), East 19th (Queensdale to Concession), Mountville (East 14th to East 18th), June through August. The cost is $1.7 million.

Twenty Road (Dartnall to Glover): Road and sewer work, including the addition of a centre turn lane, mid-May to December. Project may continue into 2014. Work on the Dartnall Road extension south of Rymal Road to Twenty could also begin this year. The cost is $5 million.

Valve Replacement: Large 60- to 70-year-old water-main valves will be replaced at Fennell and Upper James, Garth and Fennell, and Garth and Galt starting in early July and continuing to August. Each replacement takes about three weeks. Fennell and Upper James will be done first. The streets will remain open during the work but traffic will likely be restricted. The cost is $500,000.

[SteelTown]

Queen St hill closed for 5 months? Holy that's going to be pure hell misery for West Mount.

[NortheastWind]

Queen St hill closed for 5 months? Holy that's going to be pure hell misery for West Mount.

A minor inconvenience. There's the 403 to the Linc to Mohawk or Garth. There's James Mountain Rd to West 5th up to Fennell and then westward. Or there's the Claremont Access to Upper James or West 5th. Many of the users of the Queen St hill are actually east mountain residents. The residents on Aberdeen and Queen St will sure have a peaceful 5 months though.

[SteelTown]

Majority of West Mount population is west of Garth St to Ancaster border. So that brings it down to the 403 as a real option. Try using it during rush hour in the morning, it's likely backed up to Garth St.

[Jon Dalton]

Good time for a Queen St. traffic calming project. Without mountain traffic the street could be reduced to two lanes and once the access reopens, traffic will readjust to the new scenario.

[durandy]

it also would be the right time to two-way Herkimer and redisgn that god awful intersection of Herkimer and Queen. A big chunk of that traffic is people coming down Queen and heading downtown.

[LikeHamilton]

Construction Notice for contract C15-16-12 (HW)
Burlington Street from Gage Avenue to Ottawa Street

The City of Hamilton has a contract with Terracon Underground Ltd. to complete works as called for under contract C15-16-12 (HW). Construction is scheduled to commence on or about April 15, 2013 and be substantially completed by late November 2013, weather permitting.

The work involves continuing the water main replacement, reconstructing the road, sidewalks and curbs, new street lighting, constructing multi use trail and landscaping.

During this time you may experience some inconveniences such as noise, dust, and restricted traffic movement and water supply interruptions which you will be advised 48 hrs in advance of. Every effort will be made to do the work in a timely manner and to keep any inconvenience to a minimum. We ask for your patience during this period.

Brace for Burlington Street East traffic delays

A stretch of Burlington Street East will be reduced to two lanes Monday as the city resumes a road reconstruction project expected to last until December.

The road is being rebuilt between Gage Avenue North and Ottawa Street. That stretch will permanently be reduced to three lanes with the south curb lane turned into a multi-use path.

Expect traffic delays in the area until the end of November.

The Hamilton Spectator

[durandy]

is it just me or is this a dumb decision? Burlington as a freeway is exactly why Main and King don't need to be. Who's going to use a multiuse trail at Burlington and Ottawa? That's pretty much Sauron's eye in our industrial mordor.

[mattgrande]

I would use that trail if it was a good way to bike across the city. Burlington Street is pretty much deserted on the weekends. As it is right now, though, Gage & Ottawa are only 850m apart...

[matt602]

I think it's actually a good, and surprising idea. Burlington Street has a huge excess lane capacity, especially on weekends. It's not like those steel mills are gonna be hiring back thousands of jobs in the future.

[SteelTown]

Longwood Road Transportation Review

http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/F66FF789-DA6C-4589-9F05-4D6A1D4B732D/0/May1654_PW13035.pdf