Emma Reilly
The Hamilton Spectator
(Nov 10, 2009)
Rapid transit and traffic are competing for limited space on city streets. The city is beginning to map out how rapid transit will operate in Hamilton, revealing dramatic impacts on the way traffic moves along the entire east-west corridor.
Potential changes include the creation of a pedestrian mall in the downtown core and conversion of King Street to two-way traffic with restrictions on left turns from Eastgate to McMaster.
According to a new report, Hamilton will see two rapid transit (RT) lines running along the centre of King Street -- one eastbound, one westbound. These plans are in place whether the city receives light rail or buses. That decision is expected from transportation authority Metrolinx in January.
The heaviest impact will be downtown, where the proposal sees the International Village area of King Street closed to traffic. Vehicles will be routed away from King Street at Wellington Street to either Main, Cannon or Wilson streets, then merge back onto King in a proposed "transition zone" between Mary and John streets.
Drivers could lose on-street parking and loading zones from Eastgate Square to McMaster University, and face restrictions on left turns along the entire route.
Cars won't be allowed to cross the centre lanes in order to maintain the speed of RT and to ensure the safety of motorists.
That means residents and owners and employees of businesses along King Street will only be able to make right turns in and out of their driveways. Left turns and U-turns will only be permitted at traffic lights.
The city chose median RT lines because they ultimately offer traffic more freedom than curbside RT, said Jill Stephen, director of strategic and environmental planning. Since there would be the same restrictions on cars crossing the RT tracks or lanes, curbside RT would mean side streets and driveways would have to be dead-ended.
Stephen says she's aware city residents will need time to adjust to the proposed plan.
"Change can be difficult, but there are lots of good reasons for this change," she said.
News of the traffic restrictions came as a surprise to Councillor Chad Collins. He first heard of the plan at an information update for council members in late October.
Since then, he says, he's been discussing the plans with businesses in his ward and reactions haven't been positive. Few businesses he spoke to were even aware of the direction of the RT plans.
"I'd like to see a system that the community can support," he said. "I'd hate to see a design that turns people off of LRT to the point that they don't want it."
Manny Rebelo, the general manager and soon-to-be owner of Swiss Chalet on Queenston Road, says he's worried about how the traffic restrictions will affect his business.
"It could slow down our service, certainly to delivery guests, and of course our patrons will suffer as well because it will be very inconvenient for them."
Denninger's spokesperson Norm Legault said he's very concerned about plans to close King Street -- the eatery and food store is in the middle of the proposed pedestrian zone.
"I would say this worries us," he said after hearing of the plans for the first time yesterday.
"I don't think that would be in the best business interest for this location."
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