Introduction
The City of Hamilton completed the Kirkendall Traffic Management Plan under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) (October 2000, as amended in 2007) which reviewed the neighbourhood transportation issues and the identification of traffic management options to address any noted issues. This study identified the need to complete Phases 3 and 4 of the Municipal Class Environmental to address the long term needs of Longwood Road. Those long term needs identified were to provide a 4 lane cross-section on Longwood Road, with the provision of sidewalks and bicycle lanes on both sides, two new intersections into the McMaster Innovation Park development and maintain a 3 lane cross section on the Longwood Road Bridge. The right-of-way requirement on Longwood Road is 36m.
During the Kirkendall Traffic Management Plan the intersection of Aberdeen Avenue and Longwood Road were reviewed. After the evaluation of alternatives it was determined that a roundabout was the preferred alternative as it would provide safer operating conditions, better network connectivity, would provide gateway opportunities and would have fewer maintenance requirements. As the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) was not supportive of this alternative at the time, the City chose the more conventional intersection at this location. Since that time the Ministry of Transportation is willing to consider the roundabout alternative more favourably. This study will revisit the roundabout alternative with involvement from the Ministry of Transportation.
The City of Hamilton is aggressively targeting transportation mode use and is emphasizing that persons walk more and therefore the City should ensure that streets are more pedestrian friendly. This will mean that, in some cases, wider boulevards, possibly wider sidewalks and regard for barrier free design guidelines be utilized. Good pedestrian connections between adjacent land uses and pedestrian generators (jobs, transit, schools, residential areas, commercial areas, parks pathways, etc.) should be considered. To address these issues the City of Hamilton Community Planning and Design Section will be completing a streetscape design for Longwood Road in coordination with this EA.
This project shall fulfil the requirements of Phase 3 and 4 of the Municipal Class EA. All the potential impacts of the alternative designs, their impacts and all mitigating measures must be reviewed and documented in the Environmental Study Report.
Background
The Kirkendall Traffic Management Plan was completed in September 2006. In addition, the West Hamilton Bicycle Network Review was completed in 2006. This study looked at the bicycle network in this area; however, more specific to this project the bicycle friendly pedestrian connected community of the McMaster Innovation Park (MIP) was assessed.
In 2005, McMaster University announced the building of a new research innovation park that will be constructed on the former Camco site on Longwood Road South. Development of the former Camco site is presently going through various Planning approvals. The existing red brick building located on the MIP lands has been renovated and new tenants are housed within the building. In addition, a new CANMET building is under construction at the northeast corner of Longwood Road and Frid Street.
The West Hamilton Innovation District (WHID) Secondary Plan was approved by Council in 2007 and approved in part by the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) in 2008. Longwood Road represents one of the three principle roads within the WHID providing access to and within the District. The design and function of this road is integral to the implementation of this Secondary Plan.
As part of the Kirkendall Traffic Management Plan it was identified that Frid Street from Chatham Street to Longwood road should be extended and a Phase 3 and 4 Municipal Class EA should be completed. This EA was completed in May 2008 and identified the location of Frid Street’s connection to Longwood Road.
Study Area
The study area is Longwood Road between Main Street and Aberdeen Avenue. The intersection of Longwood Road and Aberdeen Avenue will be studied to determine what type of intersection will be implemented at this location. (See location map)
(Click for lager map)
PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE No. 1
Contact
If you have any questions or would like more information on this project please contact:
Lorissa Skrypniak, MCIP, RPP
Senior Project Manager
Transportation Planning
Strategic Planning & Rapid Transit
Environment & Sustainable Infrastructure Division
Public Works
77 James Street North ~ Suite 320
Hamilton, L8R 2K3
ph 905-546-2424 ext 2732
fax 905-546-4435
Email tplanning@hamilton.ca
www.hamilton.ca/Longwood-Rd-EA