Another major downtown Hamilton street to be converted to two-way

The conversion of Queen Street South to allow for two-way traffic is set to begin in less than two weeks.

The conversion of Queen Street South to allow for two-way traffic is set to begin in less than two weeks.

Construction on Queen, between Aberdeen and King Street W, will start June 8 and will be completed in two phases.

The timeline for the project, the details of which are posted to the city’s website, estimates that it will take until at least November 2020 to complete.

The project involves eight intersection improvements, including new installation or upgrade of traffic signals, roadway restoration, curb and sidewalk reconstruction and pavement markings, a City press release says.

A brief summary of the work includes:

Modification of Existing Traffic Signals at:

• Queen Street South at King Street West
• Queen Street South at Main Street West
• Queen Street South at Hunter Street West
• Queen Street South at Charlton Avenue West
• Queen Street South at Aberdeen Avenue

Construction of New Traffic Signals at:

• Queen Street South at Duke Street
• Queen Street South at Herkimer Street
• Queen Street South at Napier Street

• Pavement markings and signage for converted two-way operations on Queen Street South from Aberdeen Avenue to King Street

The project has been years in the making and follows in the wake of other major road conversions in the city’s downtown core in the not-so-distant past.

The project incorporates the principles of Vision Zero, the traffic safety initiative aimed at reducing the number of deaths and injury on city roads.

The goal is to reduce speeds and overall collisions.

“The intersections and roadway improvements have been designed with a focus on the safe and efficient movement of pedestrians and cyclists,” the release says.

The project also aims to improve accessibility along Queen Street with intersection upgrades and proper signalling.

“Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities standards have also been incorporated such as increased pedestrian and vehicle movement clarity, predictability, and visibility; simplified road crossing tasks; provision of accessible pedestrian signals; and prohibited certain vehicular movements,” the release says.

To learn more about the project and its progress, check it out here.

Photo courtesy City of Hamilton