Hamilton adding 4 automated speed enforcement locations and 1 community safety zone

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Published October 12, 2022 at 10:17 am

A total of five stretches along downtown Hamilton’s major streets will be designated as community safety zones in 2023 — including four that will have automated speed enforcement (ASE) cameras.

The changes come after the elected leadership of the city voted on May 11 to develop safety enhancements along King and Main streets, following a spate of traffic deaths. The death toll on city roadways has risen to 21 through the first 9½ months of this year, creating the possibility of doubling the number of traffic deaths in 2021 (which was a 10-year high at the time).

“The use of ASE camera technology is limited to roadways that are more than two to three lanes wide due to technical capabilities,” stated Mike Field, City of Hamilton acting director of transportation operations and maintenance. “The immediate safety enhancements along Main Street and King Street including designating certain stretches of roadway as a Community Safety Zone as well as the reduction of travel lanes will make it possible to implement ASE as a key speed management tool to address excessive speeding on Hamilton roadways.”

The four stretches that are adding ASE are:

  • Main St. E., between Gage Ave. S. and King St. E.
  • King St. W., between Locke St. S. and Dundurn St. S
  • Main St. W. between Dundurn St. S. and Queen St. S.
  • King St. E. between Gage Ave. S. and Lottridge St.

A community safety zone willalso be designated along King E. between Emerald St. and Wellington St. N., the city adds.

This area includes the intersections of Main/Wellington and Main/Victoria Ave. N.; those frame a block which includes First Place Hamilton Seniors Residence, Saint Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church and the new St. Patrick’s Elementary School. Many First Place residents use mobility devices, and Saint Patrick’s has a high volume of foot traffic since it offers many drop-in social supports.

Main St. is slated to be converted to two-way traffic. It has also had a lane removed in order to provide more of a buffer between motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, and right turns on red lights are now banned at several intersections.

The move to make Main and King safer was prompted by a motion from Maureen Wilson, who is now the incumbent in the Ward 1 city council race. Ian MacPherson and John Vail are also running to represent the downtown ward.

 

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