http://raisethehammer.org/blog/1060/
Terry Whitehead, councillor for Ward 8 (West Mountain), has come under criticism for voting against the downtown transportation master plan because it includes two-way street conversions.
In his emails justifying his decision, he writes, "To suggest that two way traffic is more pedestrian friendly than a one way is not a position I subscribe too," and adds that "traffic calming measures" can "certainly" make one-way streets "safer for pedestrians than a two-way street."
He also notes that Quebec City has one-way streets and "is vibrant and continues to flourish."
Because we want what's best for the city, Raise the Hammer is launching a new campaign: Make the West Mountain One-Way Today.
We propose the following street conversions for the West Mountain:
* One-way southbound on Upper James (connecting from downtown via Claremont Access)
* One-way northbound on West Fifth (connecting to downtown via James Mtn Rd. Access)
* One-way southbound on Garth (connecting from downtown via Beckett Dr. Access)
* One-way northbound on Upper Paradise (connecting to downtown via Scenic Dr. and Beckett Dr. Access)
Between the major thoroughfares, the residential streets can also be converted to one-way. As Whitehead explains, this is more pedestrian friendly for the residents:
* Northbound on Rice Ave. / Sanatorium Rd.
* Southbound on W. 35th St.
* Northbound on W. 34th St.
* Southbound on W. 33rd St.
* Southbound on W. 32nd St.
* Northbound on W. 31st St.
* Southbound on W. 28th St.
* Northbound on W. 27th St.
* Southbound on W. 26th St.
* Northbound on W. 25th St.
* Southbound on W. 24th St.
* Northbound on W. 23rd St.
* Southbound on W. 22nd St.
* Northbound on W. 21st St.
* Northbound on W. 19th St.
* Southbound on W. 18th St
* Northbound on W. 17th St.
* Southbound on W. 16th St.
* One-way counter-clockwise loop on Branwood Cres.
* Northbound on W. 15th St.
* One-way counter-clockwise on Columbia Dr.
* One-way counter-clockwise on Laurier Ave. / Laurier Cres.
* Southbound on West 4th St.
* Northbound on West 3rd St.
* Southbound on West 2nd St.
* Northbound on West 1st St.
Since one-way streets are safer for pedestrians and don't hurt vibrancy, we also advocate converting the West Mountain's east-west streets to one-way, as follows:
* One-way eastbound on Scenic Dr.
* One-way westbound on Angela Ave.
* One-way westbound on Price Ave.
* One-way eastbound on Leslie Ave.
* One-way westbound on Benamere Ave.
* One-way eastbound on Elmwood Ave.
* One-way westbound on Sanatorium Rd.
* One-way eastbound on Mohawk Rd.
* One-way westbound on Hadeland Ave. / Darlington Dr. / Limeridge Rd.
* One-way eastbound on Upper Horning Rd. / Novoco Dr. / Gemini Dr. / Garrow Dr. / Brigadoon Dr.
* One-way westbound on Stone Church Rd.
* One-way eastbound on Rymal Rd.
The Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway is already a limited access urban expressway, so it does not need to be converted to one-way.
We are very excited at the potential for one-way street conversions on the West Mountain to improve pedestrian safety without harming vibrancy or economic development, and we look forward to hearing an enthusiastic endorsement from Councillor Whitehead on our plan to improve the safety and vibrancy of his ward.
Since Councillor Whitehead is unmoved by the widespread public opposition to one-way streets in downtown neighbourhoods that are already fortunate enough to have them, we fully expect that he will similarly ignore any opposition to one-way street conversions in his own West Mountain Ward.
EDIT: fixed spelling mistakes (thanks, Millstone).