Let's talk about one-way streets

[Corktowner]

It looks pretty good overall, but I hope the painted buffers along the curbs become actual sidewalk extensions in a future phase.

Also, the bike lanes from Victoria to Sherman would make a lot more sense if Sherman also gets bike lanes. Sherman could easily accommodate bike lanes from Delaware to Cannon. The stretch from Main to Cannon, in particular, is insanely wide for the small amount of traffic it carries.

[Innsertnamehere]

Originally Posted by HamiltonPlanning

I wonder why they didn't include the LRT in the drawing at the Delta - I think this will function much differently than what is shown in the drawing.

it has only really a single through lane onto Queenston Rd, which makes sense given it will only be a single through lane post LRT.

Ultimately that stretch of Main St is expected to be converted next summer, before major LRT work starts and certainly well before the LRT is completed, so it has to be designed to interface with the existing configuration.

Agreed on nerfing the street parking, especially east of downtown. I'm more ok with it closer to the Delta where the street not being as busy makes it easier to provide. That odd little "green zone" in front of City Hall looks absolutely disastrous for traffic as well, basically making Main St only a single lane into the downtown.

Cutting Main to only two or three lanes eastbound is already going to be a huge stretch for traffic volumes, introducing planned obstructions to further reduce that is ridiculous.

I believe the City is actively planning for bike lanes on Sherman so that should make more sense soon.

[Fruitloops]

Sadly, yet another reason to avoid downtown

Curious as to how they handle the back up onto the 403 to Main. Someone wii die in a crash as that 403 lane must exit to Main. Duty to care, staffers and politicians.

Ever seen the traffic at FO Concert Hall on Main at a big event like Mac Grad. Now with the jersey barriers, condensed lanes, just a cl fk.

[TheRitsman]

Originally Posted by Fruitloops

Sadly, yet another reason to avoid downtown

Curious as to how they handle the back up onto the 403 to Main. Someone wii die in a crash as that 403 lane must exit to Main. Duty to care, staffers and politicians.

Ever seen the traffic at FO Concert Hall on Main at a big event like Mac Grad. Now with the jersey barriers, condensed lanes, just a cl fk.

Ah yes, because the last 70 years of highway running through the city has been great for downtown...

Some of y'all are straight trippin, ya want Skyscrapers and call anyone who opposes them NIMBYs yet you want car infrastructure for the most inefficient transportation mode around.

Nobody is going to avoid downtown because of this. They may avoid *driving* THROUGH downtown, which I'm fine with, but making downtown more walkable, less insane to bicycle through and less likely to get mowed down will attract more, not fewer people downtown.

I am so, so glad we have sane people running this city finally.

[Innsertnamehere]

Originally Posted by TheRitsman

Ah yes, because the last 70 years of highway running through the city has been great for downtown...

Some of y'all are straight trippin, ya want Skyscrapers and call anyone who opposes them NIMBYs yet you want car infrastructure for the most inefficient transportation mode around.

Nobody is going to avoid downtown because of this. They may avoid *driving* THROUGH downtown, which I'm fine with, but making downtown more walkable, less insane to bicycle through and less likely to get mowed down will attract more, not fewer people downtown.

I am so, so glad we have sane people running this city finally.

+1000 suggesting Main St as it is right now works properly is just so crazily wrong. It doesn't work for drivers, it doesn't work for pedestrians, it doesn't work for cyclists. It's just awful. Making changes has to be carefully considered in terms of impacts, but yea, keeping it as is isn't an option.

[urban_planner]

I honestly can't wait until Main is two way. So much better for the health of downtown. Ultimately I'd like to see two lanes either way.

It will be nice to get rid of the freeways heading through downtown.

[Crapht]

It looks like there will be a westbound bus route. Upon a quick look there’s not much I dislike. I’d like to see the bike lanes extend to Wellington and a two-way cycle track in the west lane of Wellington from Main to Hunter.

[HamiltonBoyInToronto]

Originally Posted by urban_planner

I honestly can't wait until Main is two way. So much better for the health of downtown. Ultimately I'd like to see two lanes either way.

It will be nice to get rid of the freeways heading through downtown.

THIS !! Why can't we make it 2 lanes in either direction with the odd boulevard etc ???

[Crapht]

Also agree with Corktowner. Those one metre painted buffer zones should be sidewalk extensions. Maybe in time.

[ScreamingViking]

Some flexibility is probably a good thing, to start.

There are sophisticated traffic models to forecast what may happen in decades to come, but this city is about to see changes that are unprecedented, and modelling goes out the window over that.

On-street parking should NOT be a key consideration. Even if it's just allowed during off-peak travel... because there's always one joker who will leave his/her/their car in that curb lane when it's supposed to be used for travel.

[TheRitsman]

Originally Posted by Crapht

It looks like there will be a westbound bus route. Upon a quick look there’s not much I dislike. I’d like to see the bike lanes extend to Wellington and a two-way cycle track in the west lane of Wellington from Main to Hunter.

I'd like to see the lanes extend to Gage at least and it would be nice to Locke on the west end. Wellington is planned to get a bicycle lane or track.

[StEC]

Originally Posted by TheRitsman

Ah yes, because the last 70 years of highway running through the city has been great for downtown...

Some of y'all are straight trippin, ya want Skyscrapers and call anyone who opposes them NIMBYs yet you want car infrastructure for the most inefficient transportation mode around.

Nobody is going to avoid downtown because of this. They may avoid *driving* THROUGH downtown, which I'm fine with, but making downtown more walkable, less insane to bicycle through and less likely to get mowed down will attract more, not fewer people downtown.

I am so, so glad we have sane people running this city finally.

I could not agree more. These new changes all coming to downtown from our road infrastructure to transit will make it a livable and safer downtown core where people will want to stay and visit!

[Crapht]

Originally Posted by TheRitsman

I'd like to see the lanes extend to Gage at least and it would be nice to Locke on the west end. Wellington is planned to get a bicycle lane or track.

I was not aware that Wellington was scheduled to get a cycle track. To be honest that surprises me a bit as Victoria is only two blocks over but I’ll take both. I always preferred Wellington to Victoria anyway. It makes way more sense.

As for avoiding downtown, some people naturally do all their activities with their cars. If that’s who you are you may be disappointed. Have fun doing all your things on Upper James. Or better yet, leave your car at home sometimes. Ride a bike once a week. Try public transit from time to time. Driving everywhere and complaining about congestion is absolutely insane. There is so much more to experience.

[Corktowner]

The agenda for next week's public works committee meeting has an update on the Main St conversion, as well as an overall update on other two-way conversions:
https://pub-hamilton.escribemeetings.com...nda&lang=English&Item=40&Tab=attachments

The timelines seem to be slipping in a pretty crazy way: detailed design in 2024-2025, with "construction targeted to begin in 2026 and completion in 2028." And then there's this line later in the report: "This proposed delivery schedule is strategically planned to facilitate the conversion of Main Street to two-way operation in advance of the commencement of extensive light rail transit construction on King Street" (emphasis added). That seems to suggest that major construction of the LRT won't even begin until around 2028!

Jesus wept.

[TheRitsman]

Originally Posted by Corktowner

The agenda for next week's public works committee meeting has an update on the Main St conversion, as well as an overall update on other two-way conversions:
https://pub-hamilton.escribemeetings.com...nda&lang=English&Item=40&Tab=attachments

The timelines seem to be slipping in a pretty crazy way: detailed design in 2024-2025, with "construction targeted to begin in 2026 and completion in 2028." And then there's this line later in the report: "This proposed delivery schedule is strategically planned to facilitate the conversion of Main Street to two-way operation in advance of the commencement of extensive light rail transit construction on King Street" (emphasis added). That seems to suggest that major construction of the LRT won't even begin until around 2028!

Jesus wept.

I don't know that this is necessarily the case for LRT. It could mean two things:

1) LRT will start at the edges, McMaster/Eastgate, and move inward to the more complex items and so much of the line won't be under full construction until 2028.

2) The mention of "before extensive construction" might mean before full closure of LRT corridor, so there may some some relocation work occurring with some lane closures on King. Guideway construction will likely require full closure of King St at sections.

[Innsertnamehere]

certian parts of the LRT will have longer lead times.

i.e. the yard and structures (Main St bridge, underpass under rail line in the Delta) would have the largest lead times and would likely start first.

The actual mainline construction will likely only take 2-3 construction seasons once it really starts.

Before 2026 we may see heavy utility work on the corridor and major structures underway, with actual guideway work starting in 2027 or 2028, with opening 2030 or 2031.

[Corktowner]

That all seems reasonable enough, but it's still depressing to see the LRT timeline slipping further and further into the future. It could've been well underway like Finch or Hurontario if there had been less politicking and bullshit in past years.

As for Main Street, I really hope the new stretched-out timeline means that they'll be doing something more ambitious than the preliminary design that was presented earlier. Maybe more cycling infrastructure? Or physically widening the sidewalks and planting trees? Let's hope.

[TheHonestMaple]

We'll likely learn a lot more tonight!

[NortheastWind]

Metrolinx is looking to hire a "Manager, Construction Safety" for the Hamilton LRT, so I don't think the start date can be that far out.

[ScreamingViking]

The city is installing a pedestrian crossing with traffic lights on Main between Gage and the Delta. Actual 3-signal traffic lights, not just pedestrian-operated flashers.

Hopefully it operates on a timed cycle too, not just when someone wants to cross, to help reduce the drag strip that is that section of Main. Some drivers and motorcyclists will probably still run through that light (or floor it to make it past the signals at King), but if it deters more of them that will be welcome.