What you guys think of this?
City wants to speed traffic on James and John
December 01, 2008
Dana Brown
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/474931
After turning James and John into two-way streets that slowed traffic down, the city is now looking for ways to speed things up.
City staff want the green light to tinker with signals on the two major roads, in order to shave anywhere from five seconds to one minute off driving times during peak hours.
Staff would also like to spend $60,000 to convert four intersections to actuated operation, meaning the light would only change when it's tripped by a road sensor or pedestrian push button.
"I think that what they've come up with should be helpful, from my experience," said downtown Councillor Bob Bratina.
"I think they've hit on the right approaches to solve it. But in the long run we will continue to have slower traffic and frankly, that's good."
Revised pavement markings and a formal request to Canada Post to change their vehicle schedules are also being recommended.
Sidney Leon, owner of Irving's Famous Clothes Ltd. at James and Rebecca, worries how an actuated system at the intersection would affect emergency vehicles using the route.
If people got used to a permanently green light, they may not understand the needs of emergency vehicles.
"Aside from that, it could be a good idea," Leon said. "It could increase traffic flow."
City staff say the same amount of traffic is travelling along James and John as when the streets were one way.
Although traffic has decreased in the original directions, added vehicles in the new lanes have kept volume the same.
Zdenka Ivic, owner of the Dance and Sport Boutique on James Street North, said when traffic stops on the street, they notice her store.
"For me, actually when they stop, they spot my store, so this is good," she said.
Others are adamant the city shouldn't do anything to speed things up.
"I want to slow the traffic down," said Jamie Gallagher, owner of Gallagher's Bar and Lounge at John Street South and Augusta.
Gallagher said the two-way conversion has been awful and vehicles are regularly flying down the road from the Mountain.
Bratina said other planned two-way conversions are different from James and John, which are two major Mountain access routes to downtown and the industrial core.
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river ratio might be cause for concern...?
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