Many of the quick-fix measures meant to improve safety on the notoriously dangerous thoroughfare have generated a suite of new issues for commuters. Photo credit: Global News
As detailed in an article by The Hamilton Independent last week, the complete redesign of Main Street in Hamilton is already partly underway.
Hamilton City Council passed a motion in May 2022 to convert the street to two-way traffic in a process that will take a number of months. In the meantime, the city has implemented several “quick” changes. These quick changes were made a few weeks ago, and, while they are meant to increase driver and pedestrian safety along the corridor, some the modifications have created new problems.
Commute Time Increased
Drivers have reported increased commute times along the route. Although the exact impact is unclear, anecdotal evidence suggests that it now takes close to twice as long to travel along Main Street from the west end to the east end.
The increased commute time is attributed to at least three different quick change modifications: street parking, transit priority signaling, and the new transit-only lane.
City staff converted one lane of traffic along Main Street to on-street vehicle parking. While reducing the number of driving lanes is seen as a way of limiting the ability of drivers to dangerously jockey for position, it also inhibits traffic flow. New bus-only lanes have a similar impact.
Additionally, transit priority signaling along the route allows buses to bypass other vehicles while all other lights remain red and pedestrian signaling means pedestrians can cross while traffic remains stopped, increasing red light times. The signaling further delays non-transit commute times.
Unclear Lane Markings
Due to the hasty nature of the Main Street quick changes, there is now an issue with unclear lane markings along the route. When city workers implemented the on-street parking and bus lane changes, they also had to shift driving lanes slightly. However, when that work was done, the old lane markings were simply painted over with black paint and new lines were drawn with white paint. As a result, the street appears to have two sets of lane markings (black and white) which has confused drivers and left some accidentally veering into adjacent lanes. Even worse, the black paint on some of the old lines is starting to wear off, creating two sets of white lines on the road.
The city has previously said via Twitter that the black paint over the old lines was temporary and that the old white lines would soon be completely removed, but it remains unclear when that work will take place.
Right Turns
Another key problem that has arisen from the Main Street changes is the issue of right-hand turning. While right-hand turns are normally supposed to be made from the curb lane, the Main Street redesign instructs drivers to turn right from the second-most lane in some places. This change means that right-hand turns now cross a lane of bus traffic. Confused drivers sometimes change into the bus lane and make a normal right-hand turn from the curb lane, which can then result in multiple vehicles trying to turn right at the same time, albeit from two different lanes.
Upcoming Two-Lane Conversion
As mentioned, the changes to Main Street that have taken place so far are only “quick” changes that are implemented temporarily while city staff work out the full details involved in completely redesigning the street to facilitate two-way traffic.
The two-way traffic redesign plans are underway, with staff expected to report to council in early 2023 with the full plan.
But, at least for now, drivers should be aware that some of the changes made are confusing, if not outright problematic.
Note that the author of this article, Kevin Geenen, is running for Ward 5 City Council Hamilton (Gray Rd to Red Hill Parkway plus the Beach Strip). Based in Hamilton, Ontario, Kevin Geenen reaches hundreds of thousands of people monthly on social media. He is a regular contributor with The Hamilton Independent and has been published in The Hamilton Spectator, Stoney Creek News, and Bay Observer. He has also been a segment host with Cable 14 Hamilton. He is known for Hamilton Neighbourhood Watch crime updates and no-nonsense news graphics. In 2017, he received the Chancellor Full Tuition Scholarship from the University of Ottawa (BA, 2022). He has also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal from Governor General David Johnston. He formerly worked in a non-partisan role on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
Based in Hamilton, he reaches hundreds of thousands of people monthly on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. He has been published in The Hamilton Spectator, Stoney Creek News, and Bay Observer. He has also been a segment host with Cable 14 Hamilton. In 2017, he received the Chancellor Full Tuition Scholarship from the University of Ottawa (BA, 2022). He has also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal. He formerly worked in a non-partisan role on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
