[MsMe]

By NICOLE MacINTYRE
The Hamilton Spectator
Hamilton is $48 million richer today.
Premier Dalton McGuinty announced this morning that the province is giving $1.1 billion in infrastructure funding to municipalities thanks to its budget surplus.
Hamilton can use its portion to fund any capital project it wishes. Mayor Fred Eisenberger said he’d like hard services, like roads, water and sewer, to be the first focus of the funds.
“I think it’s a one time opportunity to do some catchup.”
The city’s roads budget alone has a $40 to $50 million annual shortfall.
A provincial spokesperson said Hamilton doesn’t have a deadline to spend the funding, but all municipalities are being encouraged to move quickly.
City staff plan to report back to council this fall with a priority list for spending the funding.
Though the funding is greatly appreciate, Eisenberger said the city still needs to province to establish a permanent funding agreement.
In his speech yesterday, McGuinty cautioned municipalities they shouldn’t expect another surplus next year because of the softening economy.

nmacintyre@thespec.com
905-526-3299

http://www.thespec.com/News/BreakingNews/article/424752

[SteelTown]

Ah......How about money towards B-Line!

[DC83]

I wonder if any of that surplus is going directly to Metrolinx?

[adam]

If they build a light rail line before taking care of the old sewage and water system, they'll just have to rip it up in a couple years anyway. At least this Mayor is taking care of these essential services... as the article says "picking up slack" (...from the last mayor!)

[SteelTown]

I'd put some money towards Rymal and Stone Church for the Mountain. Money towards North End and Corktown traffic calming. Streetscaping projects. Bike lane for York and the rest to suburbs.

It's likely 100% of this money will go towards roads, bridges and water not HSR.

[vid]

The money is for infrastructure projects. Thunder Bay got one million, and is rebuilding a bridge on one of our freeways. :P I think they should have put it to pavement rehabilitation, as they said the bridge was fine... The city has been replacing lots of bridges now that I think of it. They mayor must be looking for some sort of weird legacy.

If you have any lead water pipes, you should probably replace them, and this would be a good way to finance that. Lead free water is nice. :) Or pot hole fixing. Or some big white elephant thing, like a new expressway.

[DC83]

^^ Shhh... don't mention expressways in this city :s
I think the Mayor of Bridges would be a fun legacy... weird, but fun. Better than our last Mayor's 'Legacy': Don DiIanni -- Mayor of Expressways-to-Nowhere

I agree w/ Mayor Fred on this one. The roads are in terrible shape especially after Winter Wallop '08. Adam makes a good point too.

I was wondering if any of the surplus went to Metrolinx b/c if so, this $48million should be spent 100% on road/sewer fixing. Hopefully there's enough left over to Streetscape John??

[vid]

I mixed it up, this is different than the infrastructure spending a few months ago. Thunder Bay got 10.3 million, as it was a per-capita thing. (Hamilton has 480,000 people, hence 48 million, something like that. $100K/1K people)

Our mayor-before-last in the early 90s had a legacy of being the worst mayor ever. He's now a county administrator in Florida, where he moved to "get away from stress and bad times in Canada". That's how bad he was. They city pretty much died under his watch. :(

But we have replaced almost all of our major bridges in the past decade, and any that weren't replaced were new anyway. We probably have the best bridge infrastructure in the country now. The road surfaces are crap though (our freeze-thaw cycle is possibly worse than Hamilton's, but I would think you guys go above 0 in winter more which might make yours worse? I don't know.), and many roads are overcrowded and need expansions or dedicated turning lanes. Our widest road is only four lanes. I can't really think of anything else we need. We've already overhauled our water and sewage networks, transit's problems stem from a lack of drivers and they seem to have money to renovate city hall and fix up other offices so this is a nice bonus for us. (So much for depressed economy, huh? Take that, Windsor!)

The expressways comment was a joke. I'd rather see this go to mass transit, or replacing ageing water/road infrastructures. Especially lead pipes and bridges in poor condition.

[SteelTown]

Toronto got around $250 million so there's like another $300 million laying around somewhere from the $1.1 billion, so perhaps Metrolinx/GO Transit got some money.

[SteelTown]

Hamilton gets $48m infrastructure windfall

August 25, 2008
By NICOLE MacINTYRE
The Hamilton Spectator

Premier Dalton McGuinty announced yesterday the province is giving $1.1 billion in infrastructure funding to municipalities thanks to Ontario’s budget surplus.

“It’s a lot of bread,” said local MPP Ted McMeekin. “It is huge.”

Mayor Fred Eisenberger, who was surprised by the size of Hamilton’s share, said he wants to target the backlog of work required in road, sewer and water infrastructure.

“It’s a one-time opportunity to do some catch-up,” he said. “It’s a good stop gap measure.”

In roads alone, the city has a $40 to $50 million annual shortfall in its capital budget. It’s behind another $30 million in renovations to city facilities.

The city can use the funding for any capital project. A government spokesperson said there’s no deadline, but the province is urging that the funding be spent quickly.

Gerry Davis, director of capital planning and implementation, expects Hamilton could expend the funding envelope within two years.

“It’s definitely a great gift. It will help tremendously...right across the city we can accomplish things.”

This fall, Davis said he’ll report to council on the best way to use the funding. He expects to move up projects planned down the road in the city’s capital plan.

“It’s not like we’ll have to scramble for projects,” he said. “We have a significant backlog.”

Davis said he could see projects like repairs to Wilson Street in Ancaster or renovations to the Norman Pinkie Lewis Recreation Centre moved up two to four years.

McGuinty cautioned that the province may not be able to offer the same funding next year because of Ontario’s softening economy. He also warned his government won’t have a permanent funding deal for cities as soon as hoped.

While yesterday’s cash is appreciated, Hamilton needs the stability of a new deal, said Eisenberger.

“We’re looking for a long-term solution.”

[DC83]

I mixed it up, this is different than the infrastructure spending a few months ago. Thunder Bay got 10.3 million, as it was a per-capita thing. (Hamilton has 480,000 people, hence 48 million, something like that. $100K/1K people)

Ya, Hence!!

Hamilton actually has 505,000. London is closer to the 480,000 mark.

That's awesome news for T-Bay! $10.3, and again, doesn't have to be used right away. They can save that in their Infrastructure coffers until another bridge needs repairing hehe jks or better yet to implement some type of attractive/fun/easy Public Transit innitiative!

I would assume TBay's roads get it worse than Hamilton's on a regualr basis, but this past winter was extreme down here.

$300 million, eh Steeltown? Has Harper announced any federal partnership (or funding, at least) with Metrolinx yet? If there's an election around the corner, they might want to jump on that super-popular bandwagon. Although I don't think they really have a chance in non-suburban Hamilton.

[SteelTown]

- Toronto: $238,182,872.
- Peel Region: $67,043,893.
- York Region: $52,748,348.
- Halton Region: $22,077,181.
- Durham Region: $28,399,241.
- Mississauga: $24,951,690.
- Brampton: $16,190,575.
- Barrie: $12,219,893.
- Ottawa: $77,272,674.
- Windsor: $20,597,033.
- Chatham-Kent: $10,292,855.
- Hamilton: $48,007,919.
- London: $33,529,777.
- Waterloo Region: $22,596,062.
- Niagara Region: $20,156,951.
- Thunder Bay: $10,384,483.

When you add it all up it's $704,651,447.00, $395,348,553.00 is still unaccounted for.

[vid]

You're missing most of Northern Ontario, that's at least 75,000,000 there, -10.3M for Thunder Bay. There's more to Simcoe than Barrie, more to Middlesex than London, etc.

Nipigon got $166,000, and you missed them. Have fun adding them all up. :)

[SteelTown]

Yea I missed some places but still there's no city bigger than Toronto in Ontario so there's money unaccounted for, around $300 million.

Maybe the rest went towards debt repayment?

[vid]

There is no city bigger than Toronto, but when you add up all the cities smaller than Thunder Bay, you'd get one.

[SteelTown]

Northern Ontario can't chew up $395 million, probably $75 million the most. So there's still around $300 million.

I'm thinking $300 million went towards debt reduction.

[vid]

Yeah, and there are thousands of towns in Southern Ontario with about 100 to 5000 people. If a town the size of Nipigon (1,500 people, if that) got money, than most of those little places did too.

[DC83]

^^ unfortunately for Metrolinx (and the GTHA), Vid is totally right!

Arran-Elderslie - $ 435,861
Barrie - $ 12,219,893
Brockton - $ 622,815
Blue Mountains - $ 492,798
Bruce County - $ 1,955,044
Chatsworth - $ 461,533
Clearview - $ 1,043,808
Collingwood - $ 1,281,051
Georgian Bluffs - $ 758,584
Grey County - $ 2,120,225
Grey Highlands - $ 684,502
Hanover - $ 516,048
Huron-Kinloss - $ 420,874
Kincardine - $ 721,784
Meaford - $ 790,499
Midland - $ 1,207,700
Northern Bruce Peninsula - $ 248,713
Orillia - $ 2,879,092
Owen Sound - $ 1,570,672
Penetanguishene - $ 693,057
Saugeen Shores - $ 757,120
Simcoe County - $ 5,517,752
South Bruce - $ 383,664
South Bruce Peninsula - $ 543,615
Springwater - $ 1,293,350
Wasaga Beach - $ 1,113,529
Wellington County - $ 3,360,585
West Grey - $ 880,394

http://www.radioowensound.com/news.php?id=13987

And that's just mid-southern Ontario!
And it seems the counties get seperate, addtional amounts.
example: Owen Sound gets 1.5 million, yet Grey county (where OS is located) gets an additional $2.1million. That of course would include small hamlets like Bognor and the like.

[SteelTown]

That's $44,974,562 still nearly a quarter of a billion leftover.

[vid]

Well we excluded Southwestern Ontario, so you have to look there. And Southeastern Ontario. I would imagine that the money obtained by Peel, Mississauga and Brampton are all separate funds if counties and municipalities get their own amounts, so some communities would get the funding on two levels.

Here is a list of Ontario's municipalities:

http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page1591.aspx

Every single one got money.

[SteelTown]

The Spec poll so far....

The provincial government is giving Hamilton $48 million to be used for capital projects in the city. (It can't be used for operating expenses.) How should the money be spent?

Infrastructure, roads etc. (50.00 %)
Public transit. (9.27 %)
Downtown core. (23.39 %)
Waterfront. (4.84 %)

[matt602]

Ah, now it looks more like the usual spec poll.

Gotta fix all those suburban roads that have been destroyed by people driving vehicles that are way too large.

[go_leafs_go02]

No. The roads across the city are terrible in many spots.

Even the Linc is slowly starting to fall apart.

[SteelTown]

They better damn well take $3 million to cover the limestone for City Hall.

[adam]

The roads across the city are in great shape and very driveable at the posted speed limit. Roads in Toronto are way worse and that city is thriving.

Infrastructure like sewage and water systems need to be fixed in the downtown before LRT track gets laid down.

[markbarbera]

First thing on the 'to-do' list should be to correct the sewage problems in the city's east end. Continuous neglect has left these homeowners with annual basement flooding and cancelled insurance policies. Monies beyond that should go to other deferred capital infrastructure like road repair. Wilson and Barton East both come to mind. Sewage repair and roadwork are intertwined and should be conducted accordingly.

[adam]

As of around 8:30pm on Tuesday

Infrastructure, roads etc. (43.95 %)
Public transit. (10.26 %)
Downtown core. (32.37 %)
Waterfront. (5.26 %)

[FairHamilton]

The roads across the city are in great shape and very driveable at the posted speed limit. Roads in Toronto are way worse and that city is thriving.

Infrastructure like sewage and water systems need to be fixed in the downtown before LRT track gets laid down.

Agreed, if you do 50kmh on King, Main, or any other street in the lower city the roads are not bad.

Try Kingston Road in Toronto if you want a bad strip of asphalt.

[SteelTown]

Remember there's a bunch of road resurfacing for downtown Hamilton, thanks to a seperate money, around $10 million, from Premier McGuinty.

[adam]

When I hear Hamiltonians complain about traffic congestion and poor road conditions I shudder to think how they will respond to any significant downtown revitalization. Can you imagine the outcries when 5 minutes or 10 minutes is added onto downtown travel time? I spent 1 HOUR getting from around Maple Leaf Gardens to the Gardiner cutoff at Lakeshore West earlier this week. Sure its an inconvenience, but its the price to be paid for traveling through an urban centre. Going 60km/h (or oftentimes 80km/h) through downtown is a uniquely Hamiltonian experience (hopefully not for long). And forget about Toronto, take our neighbour Burlington, you can't go more than 40km/h through their downtown..

[SteelTown]

The $48-million question
How councillors would like it spent

August 27, 2008
Nicole Macintyre
The Hamilton Spectator

There's $48 million burning a hole in Hamilton's pocket.

The province handed over the cash this week. It can be used for any capital project.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger has already stated he'd like to use the funds to catch up on hard services, such as roads, sewer and water. The Spectator asked councillors to list their spending priorities.

Here's the edited responses from councillors who replied.

Brian McHattie

I'd like to see the funding go to bike lanes and pedestrian improvements, including the Locke Street pedestrian bridge. Also parks and recreation facilities, such as completion of the Victoria Park Master Plan, new soccer facilities at Churchill Park, upgrades to Ryerson and Dalewood recreation facilities and fix the tennis courts at Westdale High School. Plus more affordable housing and fix local streets.

Bob Bratina

A number of my residents are facing a crisis because of flooding, which is directly related to infrastructure problems, either inadequate sewer capacity or disrepair.

Many of our infrastructure issues can be worked out over time but, in these particular cases, something has to be done immediately.

Bernie Morelli

We clearly need to address our immediate infrastructure needs, such as water and sewer. In addition to investing in our strategic areas, I would like to see redevelopment and cleanup of our east harbour. It serves as a major gateway to the city, which is exposed to millions of people annually and is one of our most valuable pieces of land.

Sam Merulla

In limiting our continual exposure to liability coupled with the horrendous number of times residents have been subjected to flooding, most, if not all, these moneys must be allocated to eliminate Hamilton's flooding crisis.

Chad Collins

The funds need to be allocated toward those areas where we have identified infrastructure deficiencies, such as roads, sidewalks, sewers and water pipes and parkland acquisition. These investments could prospectively "free up" funding for other projects such as waterfront and downtown development.

Tom Jackson

We need to focus on hard infrastructure such as roads, sidewalks and sewers. Plus, I want to use this money to target the list of local neighbourhood streets that are in dire straits.

Scott Duvall

I would certainly support this money going towards many of our sewers, side streets and sidewalks.

Terry Whitehead

I would like to fund any infrastructure deficits found in the South Mountain storm water management study. Also we have roads that are in bad, bad shape. I would like to see a strategic plan to fix local roads in neighbourhoods.

Brad Clark

I would encourage moving up the rebuild on Centennial Parkway as well as Lake Avenue and installing the Stoney Creek Gateway on Centennial and King, since the 200th commemoration of the Battle of Stoney Creek is only a few years away.

Lloyd Ferguson

Resurface roads in the Spring Valley community in Ancaster. Twin the Morgan Firestone Arena -- the population of Ancaster has almost doubled since the first ice pad was opened. Build a water feature with ice pad at the renovated City Hall. Fix the various flooding problems in the city.

Russ Powers

Make necessary upgrades to our social housing and recreational facilities. Optimize the city's tree-planting program. Identify and alleviate flooding problem areas. Randle Reef cleanup. Appropriate development of the forecourt in the City Hall retrofit. Repair King Street in Dundas.

Robert Pasuta

Hamilton needs this money to fix its deteriorating roads and sewers. I would like to see the rural areas get a fair share to go towards our infrastructure problems. The biggest complaint I hear is about the roads in my ward. Putting some money toward their rehabilitation would go a long way toward lessening the ill feelings of my residents.

[flar]

For one, they don't have to cheap out on city hall now.

[FairHamilton]

For one, they don't have to cheap out on city hall now.

But they will, not one councillor suggested spending some of the money on City Hall.

[ryan_mcgreal]

Given that Councillor McCarthy's response to every policy question is, "We can't afford that," I'm not surprised she didn't reply to this one.

[ryan_mcgreal]

But they will, not one councillor suggested spending some of the money on City Hall.

Contact them and recommend it. They do respond to constructive suggestions.

Find their email addresses here:

http://raisethehammer.org/article/450/

[SteelTown]

I'm sure councillors will agree to use the $48 million fund to cover the over budget of City Hall renovation. It's overbudget by like $8 million or so? So there's still plenty of money to spread around.

A big chunk of it should go to fixing the pipes in the East End so neighbours can once again get flood insurance. I rather do that than come out each year providing grants for flood relieve.

$5 million or so I wouldn't mind going towards speeding up the construction of the downtown transit terminal, early spring 2009.

Also it appears the road resurfacing will begin very soon. Aberdeen has signs saying watch out for construction from Aug until Nov. ECK! lol

[markbarbera]

I am disappointed by McHattie's wishlist. It focuses mainly on items specific to his ward. I would expect him to adopt more of a city-wide perspective, and he didn't even mention the city's most obvious infrastructure need - improvements to the water and sewage infrastructure. As a senior member of council who often calls upon council to take more of a big-picture approach to city needs, the narrow focus is disheartening.

[highwater]

I tend to agree Mark, and I'm a big McHattie fan. However, Dalewood rec centre is in very bad shape, and city improvements to the facility will help take Dalewood School off the PTR (prohibitive to repair) list that is threatening its closure. Ryerson isn't PTR, but any improvements to the rec centre will help revitalize that school as well. Keeping walkable, lower city schools open is something that will benefit the entire city.

[drpgq]

But they will, not one councillor suggested spending some of the money on City Hall.

In a weird way, Ferguson of all people did, asking for money for the water feature and ice rink in front of city hall. This new money does seem to be a good way to pay for a better surface for the hall.

I'm disappointed that McHattie askedfor more affordable housing. I think that's something Hamilton doesn't need more of, especially downloading being the way it is currently.

[FairHamilton]

Contact them and recommend it. They do respond to constructive suggestions.

Find their email addresses here:

http://raisethehammer.org/article/450/

Thanks, but I'll pass on this one. I'm a believer that one has to choose their battles, and I spoke with my councillors office on Monday (not on this topic).

I'm fighting my battle to have my Property Standards complaint submitted on July 23rd, and put on a priority list on August 11th, addressed. That's where I'm going to do battle for now.

Not ducking the suggestion, just know I've can only get so much mileage at one time.

[highwater]

Skip Morelli if you don't want to wear out your welcome with him, but there's no reason you can't contact the Mayor and the rest of council.

[FairHamilton]

In a weird way, Ferguson of all people did, asking for money for the water feature and ice rink in front of city hall. This new money does seem to be a good way to pay for a better surface for the hall.

Oh yeah, sorry I missed Ferguson's comment. Still if I had to choose, I'd pick limestone over water/ice rink at City Hall.

[DC83]

I never even thought about using the money towards City Hall. That's a fantastic idea! I mean, obviously lots needs to be spent on sewers and roads, but use a good chunk of this $48M on (what is starting to become) Lister Block Jr!

I'll be emailing ALL council (and Fred) suggesting they use a good portion of this money towards City Hall.

[raisethehammer]

they don't even need to use a big chunk...just enough to do the limestone/marble and the ice rink/water thing out front.

I walked all around the site the other day and really see a TON of potential for a great urban park/square/gathering spot.
First of all, get rid of all the different levels....the entire surroundings of city hall have all these steps up and down. Just make it one level (at least most of it).
Second, use a nice interlocking brick, perhaps like the kind at Sam Lawrence Park on the Mountain, that are smooth and not too bumpy/rough like old style cobblestone.
Have all the brick on the forecourt, walkways and nice grassy areas with tons of trees/benches on the west side of city hall.
Put the parking underground so the west side park space can be continued right up to and along Hunter. Perhaps there can be an interactive play fountain in the area that currently has an entrance off of Bay St.
At the bottom of the slope leading up to Hunter St, make an ampitheatre type of design with a small stage below that can house summer concerts, theatre etc.....
Have a meandering walkway that runs around the entire site linking the various attractions with a beautiful 'garden walk' on either side of the path.

The site is beautiful and could really become a great gathering spot in the heart of the city...of course, Main St needs to be addressed, but we all know that.

[adam]

I totally agree. That whole property has a lot of potential. I think the front area all the way up to Whitehern should be redone. The ice rink would make it a year round destination to boot. I guess it depends whether they are serious about downtown rejuvenation or not.

[SteelTown]

Repair backlog threatens city rec centres

September 03, 2008
By Nicole MacIntyre
The Hamilton Spectator

A consultant says the city needs to dramatically invest in its recreation centre if it doesn’t want more than half of the facilities to close by 2018.

A report heading to councillors this afternoon says 44 of the city’s 78 recreation facilities, including pools, arenas and community centres, will need to close in five to 10 years because of disrepair.

It recommends the city increase its annual funding for capital repairs from $5 million a year to $26.5 million by 2010. There is a current repair backlog of $20 million for recreation facilities.

The report, which assessed the state of the city’s facilities, recommended several centres be closed because of their conditions. Brewster Pool in lower Stoney Creek, Spring Valley Arena in Ancaster and the Greensville Community Hall are among the facilities suggested for closure.

At the same time, the report recommends the city build new recreation centres in underserviced areas.

The consultant believes Hamilton needs new facilities in lower Stoney Creek, Glanbrook, Hamilton Mountain and a replacement for the Norman Pinky Lewis Recreation Centre. It also recommends new seniors’ centres in lower Hamilton and Waterdown to support the city’s aging population.

The report comes just a week after the province announced it is giving Hamilton $48 million to help tackle a backlog in infrastructure repairs. The city can use the money for any capital project.

[MsMe]

IMO, we need a hell of a lot more then 48M to get this city up to snuff. But try and get that kind of money out of the government.

[FairHamilton]

IMO, we need a hell of a lot more then 48M to get this city up to snuff. But try and get that kind of money out of the government.

Yeah, like actually enforcing bylaws. 40+ days since my last complaint with 1/2 dozen follow-ups with the city and my councillor, and still no action. I wish those that take my tax dollars cared 1/10 as much as I did about property standards, then perhaps the city could seriously look towards an upswing.

At 60 days, I'm going to the mayor's office.......

[Millstone]

Glad to see some road work is being done... Ottawa St near Barton-Burlington was doing really shitty, Kenilworth access now looks great, can't wait for King/Main/John and others that are scheduled.

[SteelTown]

They are doing Aberdeen right now. Looks like they'll do the sidewalk as well, even better! The current sidewalk is rough and with loads of cracks.

[raisethehammer]

also glad to see Mayor Fred pulling through on his election promise to add bike lanes whenever a road is resurfaced. :no:

[matt602]

Tons of new bike lanes have gone in since he was elected, lets not be too critical.

[raisethehammer]

Tons??? please show me where.

[matt602]

Ferguson? York I believe? I think theres also a bunch of new ones downtown. I'm certainly noticing a lot more than I did before, which leads me to think they're new. Ferguson extension alone was a brilliant project (although it may have been spearheaded under DiIanni's reign).

[adam]

Downtown's major arteries, Main and King and James and John are completely devoid of any bike lanes. The majority of cyclists ride on the sidewalks because they fear for their lives on the road.

I say put in a shared bus/bike lane all along Main and King. Spraypaint some diamonds every few meters and throw up a few signs.
They just put up a truckload of signs about no parking in my area, so don't say they can't afford it.

[raisethehammer]

Ferguson was planned by the INT Village BIA about 20 years ago. Yes, it's great, but has nothing to do with Fred's promise to add bike lanes 'whenever a street is resurfaced'.
York is new, and other than that, I don't know of one downtown.
Streets with ample width to accommodate bike lanes have been resurfaced in the past year - Upper Wentworth, Wellington, Mohawk, Garth to name a few.

[SteelTown]

Don't need bike lanes for Garth when the next street, West 5th, have bike lanes. It would be great to continue the bike lane from Mohawk to Fennell on West 5th.

I think Fennell would be better for bike lanes than Mohawk.

What I think is severely missing in Hamilton is sidewalks on Mountain access roads. I can't think of any that has sidewalks.

[markbarbera]

One thing that really gets my blood boiling is a cyclist riding on the sidewalk. The hypocrisy of a cyclist saying he uses the sidewalk because he feels unsafe on the road is not lost on me. Obviously he has no concern for the danger he places the pedestrian in, who has nowhere but the sidewalk to travel on.

Sorry if I seem harsh but I have been clipped by cyclists on the sidewalk a couple times already this year. On Stinson of all places. If you don't feel safe cycling on Stinson then you simply should not be riding a bike at all.

Okay, I'm done venting for now.

[FairHamilton]

Downtown's major arteries, Main and King and James and John are completely devoid of any bike lanes. The majority of cyclists ride on the sidewalks because they fear for their lives on the road.

No, I think it's because it's OK to ride the wrong way on a one way street if you are riding on the sidewalk.........

I say put in a shared bus/bike lane all along Main and King. Spraypaint some diamonds every few meters and throw up a few signs.
They just put up a truckload of signs about no parking in my area, so don't say they can't afford it.

I know where you can get the confiscated spray paint for the lanes :haha: .

One of my biggest pet peeve is cyclists using the sidewalk, I've come close to being clipped a few times (yesterday being the most recent). They give the rest of us a doubly hard time in getting respect from drivers and the community.

When I ride (on the road), I make sure I purposefully sneer and shake my head disapprovingly at those I see on the sidewalk (especially so if they are wearing a helmet).

[Millstone]

Don't need bike lanes for Garth when the next street, West 5th, have bike lanes. It would be great to continue the bike lane from Mohawk to Fennell on West 5th.

I think Fennell would be better for bike lanes than Mohawk.

What I think is severely missing in Hamilton is sidewalks on Mountain access roads. I can't think of any that has sidewalks.

Jolley Cut to about halfway up. Then good luck. But it's scheduled for a re-do this year, maybe they'll add in some sidewalks.

[adam]

Many Hamilton cyclists have basic bikes that don't go faster than 15km/h and you can't expect them to share the road with raging motorists going 80km/h (I know its past the speed limit, but that's what they do believe it or not!).

I always ride on the street with my road bike and go 30+ km/h with a helmet on and still feel unsafe going down James South from Charlton down through the tunnel, etc....

[MsMe]

They are starting to fix the huge potholes around the city lately I noticed, thank goodness. Some of the roads around town for a while were unreal.

[FairHamilton]

Many Hamilton cyclists have basic bikes that don't go faster than 15km/h and you can't expect them to share the road with raging motorists going 80km/h (I know its past the speed limit, but that's what they do believe it or not!).

The speed of bike is no excuse, most (overwhelming majority) of the people I see riding on the sidewalk in Hamilton aren't wearing a helmet. They apparently have little, or no, concern for their own safety, or the safety of pedestrians.

I still contend that most ride on the sidewalk because they are inconsiderate and doing it to ride the wrong way on a one-way street.

This morning was a perfect case in point. At King and Sherman between 6:23am - 6:30am I was waiting for the B-Line. 3 cyclists rode past in the 7 minutes all on the sidewalk, all travelling in the wrong direction. 2 with no helmets, and 1 with a helmet. None had front or rear lights even though is was dark. Afraid of traffic, or too lazy, or inconsiderate, or not safety minded to go to Cannon, or Main?

I'll ride any street any time, and I'm more frightened of being doored by a parked car than hit by a passing car. Even though I once had my elbow glanced by a mirror one morning on Don Mills in Toronto while riding in the bus, taxi, bicycle lane (car shouldn't have even been in the lane). But I take precautions. I signal my intentions, obey stop signs and traffic lights and ride with a helmet. Even in broad daylight I ride with a flashing front light (white) and flashing back light (red). When I'm travelling with a backpack I also have a flashing red on it as well. Lights always on for safety!!

[adam]

I saw a cop riding a police bike on the sidewalk along Main St without a helmet this past weekend.

[FairHamilton]

I saw a cop riding a police bike on the sidewalk along Main St without a helmet this past weekend.

I'd report him, but that's just me.

You don't need to know which cop, or get him in trouble. You just need to put it to the department to remind their officers that for safety and setting examples helmets and proper street riding etiquette are important.

[markbarbera]

From a legal standpoint, there is no law obliging an adult to wear a cycling helmet. Excluding of course basic common sense.

[MsMe]

The speed of bike is no excuse, most (overwhelming majority) of the people I see riding on the sidewalk in Hamilton aren't wearing a helmet. They apparently have little, or no, concern for their own safety, or the safety of pedestrians.

I still contend that most ride on the sidewalk because they are inconsiderate and doing it to ride the wrong way on a one-way street.

This morning was a perfect case in point. At King and Sherman between 6:23am - 6:30am I was waiting for the B-Line. 3 cyclists rode past in the 7 minutes all on the sidewalk, all travelling in the wrong direction. 2 with no helmets, and 1 with a helmet. None had front or rear lights even though is was dark. Afraid of traffic, or too lazy, or inconsiderate, or not safety minded to go to Cannon, or Main?

I'll ride any street any time, and I'm more frightened of being doored by a parked car than hit by a passing car. Even though I once had my elbow glanced by a mirror one morning on Don Mills in Toronto while riding in the bus, taxi, bicycle lane (car shouldn't have even been in the lane). But I take precautions. I signal my intentions, obey stop signs and traffic lights and ride with a helmet. Even in broad daylight I ride with a flashing front light (white) and flashing back light (red). When I'm travelling with a backpack I also have a flashing red on it as well. Lights always on for safety!!

I wrote a letter to the editor a while back about how unsafe some cyclists ride, which did get published in the paper. People need to realize the rules are there for their safety and with so much traffic on the roads now even more reason to be more careful. I almost hit the same cyclist 2 days in a row when he was going through the same stoplight on a red when I had a green. Now there is a person that is an accident waiting to happen. And this was at an intersection on Kennilworth N where there are so many heavy equipment vehicles from the industries.

[adam]

Couple days ago, I was cycling down Charlton with my helmet on going about 30km/h in the far right lane and had a car cut in front of me without ANY warning or signaling and I almost went through the back door. Every week or so I seem to have a similar story (or worse).

I also drive to work every day. and just doing a comparison, I'd say that cars are way worse (and more dangerous) than cyclists when it comes to road safety.

[MsMe]

That can sure go both ways Adam, thats for sure. I watch drivers sometimes and I try and stay away from them if I can.

[FairHamilton]

From a legal standpoint, there is no law obliging an adult to wear a cycling helmet. Excluding of course basic common sense.

I know a previous government got all soft and watered it down to 18 and under for the law.

I use the wearing a helmet to draw conclusions on the type of person riding the bike. Helmet often (not always) = Responsible/considerate cyclist.

[FairHamilton]

I wrote a letter to the editor a while back about how unsafe some cyclists ride, which did get published in the paper. People need to realize the rules are there for their safety and with so much traffic on the roads now even more reason to be more careful. I almost hit the same cyclist 2 days in a row when he was going through the same stoplight on a red when I had a green. Now there is a person that is an accident waiting to happen. And this was at an intersection on Kennilworth N where there are so many heavy equipment vehicles from the industries.

I was thanked by an older (not quite elderly) woman when I stopped at the stop sign on King William outside of the Goodwill operation. She thanked me and told me I was the first cyclist she'd seen stop at a stop sign in the City of Hamilton.

Talk about a feel good moment.

I'm big on if you want respect from others (cars and pedestrians) you have to show respect towards them.

Now let's get back on topic.

Yeah it would be great if they put some of the 'found money' into more bike lanes in Hamilton and all other cities. I know I'd make good use of them. My wife and I rode the lanes on York one day just to do it and because we wanted show our thanks for the lane creation.

[LikeHamilton]

I saw a cop riding a police bike on the sidewalk along Main St without a helmet this past weekend.

I do not know about not wearing a helmet, I have never seen this in a bike cop. It may have been some isolated incident. As to riding on a sidewalk, going the wrong way etc, that is how they do their job. You cannot expect them to drive around a couple of blocks to get to something that is wrong? One of the advantages the police say that bikes have is that they are silent and quick. You sometime even see a cruiser travelling in the wrong direction to get to a call.

[MsMe]

Yes we need more bike lanes that's for sure. With all of the traffic now they are very needed.

[block43]

One of the advantages the police say that bikes have is that they are silent and quick.

Also a good form of transportation during a zombie outbreak :shrug:

[adam]

The bike lane along King St traveling eastbound from Westdale to Dundurn .... it abruptly stops at Dundurn with no polite way for the cyclist to continue eastbound. Most cyclists just hop onto the sidewalk once they realize it is ending and put pedestrians at risk. This bike lane desperately needs to be continued into the downtown.

[adam]

Yes we need more bike lanes that's for sure. With all of the traffic now they are very needed.

What traffic? Have you ever been to Toronto????

[MsMe]

What traffic? Have you ever been to Toronto????

Not in many years. That's one reason I avoid Toronto like the plague. :haha:

[SteelTown]

From the spec......

"But the $48 million from the province will boost spending on roads and bridges by $30 million, recreation facilities by $7.5 million, parks development by $3 million and economic development initiatives by $5 million. It will also provide $2.5 million toward the $30-million local share of the $90-million Randle Reef cleanup."

[adam]

Only 10% going to economic development - what the downtown needs the most... I wonder if the $30 million for roads & bridges includes redoing old piping?

[SteelTown]

Economic initiatives are good. Give Canadian Blood Services some initiatives to build their new centre in downtown Hamilton.

[raisethehammer]

Economic initiatives are good. Give Canadian Blood Services some initiatives to build their new centre in downtown Hamilton.

exactly. I've emailed EcDev about this opportunity in the hopes that they'll get on it.

[emge]

That would be nice. CBS is two minutes away from me, and when I called months ago I was really irritated to learn I'd have to go to Ancaster to donate blood unless there was a special clinic being held.

[FairHamilton]

From the spec......

"But the $48 million from the province will boost spending on roads and bridges by $30 million, recreation facilities by $7.5 million, parks development by $3 million and economic development initiatives by $5 million. It will also provide $2.5 million toward the $30-million local share of the $90-million Randle Reef cleanup."

I heard Scott Park will be getting some new recreational facilities.

[SteelTown]

Awhile Westmount has no recetretional facilities with Westmount secondary rec centre closed along with having one of the worst 20 roads in Ontario, Stone Church.

[SteelTown]

Hamilton gets more infrastructure funding that expected
Paul Tipple
11/13/2008

Hamilton has an additional 48-million dollars in its coffers.

It's part of the billion dollar infrastructure funding the McGuinty government first announced in August.

And it's actually more money than Mayor Fred Eisenberger was expecting.

He was hoping the city would get between 40 and 45-million when the funding was first announced.

But the city has now received word from our local Liberal MPP's the total will be 48-million.

Eisenberger has said that priorities for the infrastructure funding will centre around the city's 100-million dollar roads deficit.

[raisethehammer]

hmmm, 3-8 million more than expected? sounds just about right for some cherokee marble!

[SteelTown]

I don't know how Mayor Fred was expecting $40 to $45 million when the finance committee already figured out how to spend all of the $48 million. It's not a surprise.

$30 million - roads and bridges
$7.5 million - recreation facilities
$3 million - parks development
$5 million - economic development initiatives
$2.5 million - local share of Randle Reef cleanup
--------------

$48 million already planned out

[matt602]

hmmm, 3-8 million more than expected? sounds just about right for some cherokee marble!

Indeed. There's no excuse not to at least do limestone and stainless steel now. It's about time for someone in council to bring this up.