widening governor's road?

The Downtown Dundas Transportation Master Plan (DDTMP) is going into the 60 day review period, with a Public Information Centre (PIC) on Tuesday December 15, 2009, 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Dundas Municipal Centre (Dundas Town Hall) 60 Main Street, Dundas, ON L9H 5E7.

(The city's pdf announcement is here.)

The 60-day review period began December 4, 2009.

Please attend the PIC and add your comments.

moving ahead, in a slightly circular motion

Another step closer to a modern roundabout on Governor's Road: a great way to govern the intersection at Davidson, and to help calm traffic heading into the (3) school zone!

Check out the link to more info here!

nothing new

stasis is the status quo...

No new crossing guards on Governor's Road

Craig Campbell

Published on Aug 29, 2008

Despite ongoing pedestrian safety concerns around three Governor's Road schools, no crossing guards are being added.

With classes set to start within days, Dundas students will begin the year with only seven crossing guards, compared to the nine in place a year ago.

Three local crossing guard locations were removed over the past year. Only one crossing guard was added, at Bridlewood and Governor's, since the opening of Sir William Osler School last winter. The elementary school took on the student populations of both Dundas District and Central Park, as well as some Dundana students.

The City of Hamilton rejected a request from St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School's principal to relocate the Creighton and Governor's guard to Huntingwood Road - an uncontrolled intersection more commonly used by students than the stoplight-protected intersection at Creighton. A 15-year-old Highland High School student was struck by a car while crossing at Hungtingwood two years ago. There have been many near collisions and several vehicle collisions there.

Participants in a pedestrian safety walkabout of the three neighbouring Governor's Road schools supported the requested relocation of a guard, as well as potentially adding an extra crossing guard for Sir William Osler.

http://www.dundasstarnews.com/news/article/141226

TLC for Governor's Road

Local sustainable transportation activists at Transportation for Liveable Communities have sent a letter to Ward 13/Dundas Councillor Russ Powers regarding Governor's Road - the following is lifted from their letter, dealing with specifics of the suggestions put forward by Powers: for the full letter, go to the TLC site here.

Councillor Powers	Transportation for Liveable Communities
Add an advanced left turn signal to the traffic lights at the Governors Road/Creighton Road intersection for eastbound/westbound traffic along Governors Road.	Await result of traffic audit to determine need Immediately change the walk/don't walk signal at Creighton to always go to "walk" on the green signal – currently the "walk" signal only appears after a pedestrian has activated the crossing button. The default is "don't walk" which creates confusion for all users by prioritizing cars over pedestrians, and makes crossing more uncertain, thus more dangerous.
Widen Governors Road to accommodate an identified left turn/holding lane from Creighton Road to at least Davidson Boulevard.	Adding an extra lane makes crossings for pedestrians more difficult and dangerous by increasing crossing distance and adding an extra lane of traffic to contend with. Road widening also contributes to a driving environment that induces speed. Therefore TLC strongly opposes a general widening, but supports limited , site specific widening to create turning lanes if required at St. Bernadette's school, and Highland Secondary school.
Install traffic lights or a roundabout (includes a pedestrian-activated crossing signal) at Davidson Boulevard.	A roundabout is the preferred option for safety and efficiency reasons, which TLC fully supports.
Install a pedestrian-activated crossing signal at the corner of Governors Road/Huntingwood Drive.	TLC supports this as a possible solution, but only in a context of accompanying traffic calming measures such as (but not limited to) a raised crosswalk and a median island. An alternative solution might include another roundabout at this location in the long term.
Post school crossing guards at the Huntingwood, Castlewood/Bridlewood and Davidson pedestrian crossings.	TLC supports
Extend the sidewalk on the north side of Governors Road from Davidson Boulevard to Pirie Drive.	TLC supports
Install a flashing "Speed Reduced to 40 kph" for the area bounded by the east/west boundaries of the three schools. This is programmed to be activated during morning and late afternoon/evening rush hours.	Evidence suggests that signs are not enough to influence driver behaviour, thus TLC supports physical traffic calming measures to slow traffic speeds: examples include lane narrowing, bicycle lanes, wider sidewalks, a traffic median, to enhance safety in the school zone.
Continue to lobby for a crossing guard at the Governors Road/Bridlewood /Castlewood Drive intersection.	TLC supports
Conduct a comprehensive traffic audit to identify contributing factors.	TLC supports, and requests a copy of the final report
Enhance public transit frequency along Governors Road during rush hours on weekdays.	TLC supports, with the following considerations: there is currently no bus service provided on Governor's Road on weekends – adding rush hour buses to alleviate traffic fails to address the demand for transit mobility for residents on weekends. TLC requests weekend bus service for Governor's Road. Current levels of transit service are poor in the entire ward, with one hour wait times much of the day on both Governors, and King..TLC therefore requests a comprehensive review of transit operations in Dundas with the goal of improving the level of service.
Review signal synchronization for eastbound/westbound traffic at Main Street, Oglivie Street and Creighton Road.	TLC supports synchronization that discourages speeding and takes into account the requirements of pedestrians for prompt crossing service.

For all the points noted, TLC requests a full update from the councillor/city of Hamilton on actions taken or decisions made.

Further: since our original letter, the Transportation Master Plan for the city has been approved by council – in that document there are plans specific to the area in question, but not addressed in councillor Powers' initial list of proposed solutions. The TMP refers to bike lanes for Governor's Road "Dundas Street-Governor's Road [from] Cootes Drive [to] Castlewood Blvd BL [2.9km at a cost of $166,750, to be done in the Medium term (http://www.myhamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/1ECE9040-72DC-432B-B480-163B810363C0/0/3CyclingNetworkStrategy.pdf ).

Therefore, TLC strongly recommends action on bike lanes be fully integrated with any road work to be done on Governor's Road. Bike lanes would assist in creating safer and more pleasant conditions for pedestrians and help improve the roadside atmosphere while giving more options to sustainable transportation users.

In conclusion, TLC would like to reiterate that users of Governor's Road include cyclists, pedestrians, transit and drivers. The current city wide transportation master plan, and the city's Vision 2020 planning documents all emphasize supporting sustainable modes of transportation. As a result, TLC expects any changes on Governor's Road to reflect this emphasis.

-30-

We'll keep in ear to the ground to see what is in store, and post it here.

From Councillor's Web Site

I found this on the ward councillor's web site:

"Governor's Road Concerns

Governor's Road from Main Street, westbound to Ogilvie Street:

1. Widen two bridges crossing Spencer Creek and intersection at Governors Road/Oglivie Street to accommodate one additional lane (use to be determined).
2. Add a 4 way, advanced left turn signal to the traffic lights at the Governors Road/Oglivie Street intersection.

Governor's Road from Ogilvie Street, westbound to Creighton Road:

1. Currently there are two westbound and one eastbound lanes on Governors Road...identify the middle lane as an additional eastbound lane during the morning rush hour and an additional westbound lane during the late afternoon/evening rush hour.
2. Investigate the possible need for traffic lights or a pedestrian-activated crosswalk at the Governors Road/Overfield Street intersection.


Governor's Road from Creighton Road, westbound to Pirie/Wainwright Drive:

1. Add an advanced left turn signal to the traffic lights at the Governors Road/Creighton Road intersection for eastbound/westbound traffic along Governors Road.
2. Widen Governors Road to accommodate an identified left turn/holding lane from Creighton Road to at least Davidson Boulevard.
3. Install traffic lights or a roundabout (includes a pedestrian-activated crossing signal) at Davidson Boulevard.
4. Install a pedestrian-activated crossing signal at the corner of Governors Road/Huntingwood Drive.
5. Post school crossing guards at the Huntingwood, Castlewood/Bridlewood and Davidson pedestrian crossings.
6. Extend the sidewalk on the north side of Governors Road from Davidson Boulevard to Pirie Drive.
7. Install a flashing “Speed Reduced to 40 kph” for the area bounded by the east/west boundaries of the three schools. This is programmed to be activated during morning and late afternoon/evening rush hours.
8. Continue to lobby for a crossing guard at the Governors Road/Bridlewood /Castlewood Drive intersection.

General:

1. Conduct a comprehensive traffic audit to identify contributing factors.
2. Enhance public transit frequency along Governors Road during rush hours on weekdays.
3. Review signal synchronization for eastbound/westbound traffic at Main Street, Oglivie Street and Creighton Road.
4. Perhaps the school boards could review their starting/finishing times to reduce pedestrian traffic during rush hour (maybe stagger the starting/finishing times amongst the three schools to lessen the focused impact time slot).
5. Perhaps the School Boards should rationalize their individual busing services and possibly consider merging into a single provider…this may actually reduce the number of buses on the road with a corresponding reduction in operating costs.. "

[end of quoted text]

OK, some nifty ideas, but the overall thrust is dealing with automotive traffic efficiency, and very little to address pedestrians and cyclists concerns.

While most of the above ideas are acceptable, there are a couple of big bad ideas that stand out - like number 2 under" Governor's Road from Creighton Road, westbound to Pirie/Wainwright Drive:" widening Governor's Road?! Perhaps middle turn lanes at school entrances, but the entire length of Governor's? This type of engineering would induce traffic speeds and make the crossing wider for pedestrians.

Besides, there is no mention of bicycle lanes, although the city's transportation master plan has Governor's Road marked for them along the entire stretch. There's not a lot of room for widening, so the extra traffic lane would likely be at the expense of cycling lanes. Rather than traffic calming by lane narrowing and providing a buffer between cars and pedestrians by providing space for cyclists, road widening just makes it more dangerous for every user.

While this is about a kilometer west of the area we have been dealing with, the bridge widenings at Ogilvie and Governors fail to mention the need for wider sidewalks, the current sidewalks are horribly narrow on Governors, and only on one side of Ogilvie.

And why aren't we talking about traffic calming here? Think boldly: eliminate one bridge (on Ogilvie, north of Governors) and open Spencer creek to view (currently encumbered with bridges and sewer pipes): it would certainly make the intersection more beautiful, not to mention safer (drivers have alternative options a half block away at Main.)

As far as increased transit, there is a need for transit on weekends (there is currently no weekend service, meaning the nearest bus stop on weekends is at least one kilometer away, more like three for others on this route.)

So clearly there is room for improvement on this list of suggestions. I don't know how or when the list got made, but there it is. I certainly wasn't consulted, as the councillor suggested in a previous newspaper column, nor to my knowledge was Transportation for Liveable Communities (TLC) approached, though they sent a letter on the topic to the councillor December 2006.

Roundabout

Watch a live cam of the Ancaster Traffic Circle (in the city of Hamilton) - a similar roundabout is proposed for Governors Road at Huntingwood, which would be an effective way to calm traffic.

I'm fairly certain that the city has budgeted some money to bring this into reality.

It's "new" so it will likely frighten people at first, but it is actually safer in terms of lower collision rates, etc. than other intersection types.

Paper Powers

It's not much information, but the following appeared in this week's Dundas Star News, in Councillor Russ Powers' monthly column:

Any users of Governor's Road are well aware of the sometime challenges of that route. This year, a detailed study of all aspects of this transportation link will be conducted. Your participation will be solicited and very much appreciated as the decisions reached will determine how things are improved.

Users of Governor's Road include cyclists, pedestrians, transit and drivers. The current city wide transportation master plan, and the city's Vision 2020 planning documents talk about supporting sustainable modes of transportation. How hard will it be to see that Governor's Road gets the "balanced" approach so desperately required to make it a safe road for all users?

Letter for Liveable Community

PO Box 19, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton ON L8S 1C0
tlchamilton.blogspot.com
g-tlc@mcmaster.ca
905-525-9140 ext. 26026

Monday, December 18, 2006

Dear Councillor Powers,

Transportation for Liveable Communities (TLC) is a working group of the Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) McMaster. TLC works to achieve balanced sustainable transportation solutions in the city of Hamilton.

We are writing to draw attention to the traffic situation on Governor’s Road in Dundas.

With the new Dundas West elementary school under construction on Governors Road at Bridlewood, there will be three schools (including Highland Secondary School and St. Bernadette’s elementary school) on this short stretch of highway (less than 1km).

The statement of a problem can make all the difference when seeking solutions. TLC is concerned that a solution you offered on your web site during the recent election campaign begins with the assumption that “traffic flow” is the problem on Governor’s Road, and offers road widening as a solution.

TLC feels that this is the wrong assumption and a desperately wrong conclusion.

The problem, as we see it, is traffic flows all too well the majority of the time on Governor’s, and that the speed of that flow puts school children and other pedestrians, cyclists and drivers at risk.

As you are likely aware there is a direct correlation between traffic speed and pedestrian fatalities:

Fig. 1 U.K. Department of Transportation, 1987. Killing Speed and Saving Lives, London, UK DOT.

Generally the only time traffic slows down on Governors is during “rush” hours, when the presence of too many single occupancy vehicles all going in the same direction at the same time creates a situation that is, from a pedestrian and cycling point of view, actually safer in terms of collision impacts. We should be aiming for a 30km/h maximum speed limit in the school zone.

TLC would thus prefer to pose the question: “what measures can be employed to create a safe and healthy environment for children using active methods of getting to school (i.e. cycling, walking) and to engineer a safer roadside environment for area residents outside of school hours?”

The City of Hamilton’s Public Health department recognizes the need for safe routes to school:

“Concerns about health and pedestrian safety among our children and air quality issues are prompting us to rethink the way we choose to get around in our communities,” said Sue Connell, Public Health Nurse with the City of Hamilton. “Obesity and inactivity in young children are reaching unprecedented levels and are creating serious health problems in our children. Vehicle transportation contributes to air pollution and smog and our children are especially vulnerable to the impacts of poor air quality. Many of the school zones in the Hamilton area are unsafe because of traffic concerns because large numbers of children are being transported to and from school. By walking to school with their parents or caregivers, children have an excellent opportunity to learn and develop their pedestrian skills.”

SOURCE: http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/cityandgovernment/

newsandpublications/newsreleases/ 2005news/september/05-09-30.htm

Road widening would only allow for increased vehicle speeds and make crossings more dangerous than the current situation, and run counter to the goals of the Transportation Master Plan currently under consideration by the city, and the goals outlined in Vision 2020:

• To develop an integrated sustainable transportation system for people, goods and services which is environmentally friendly, affordable, efficient, convenient, safe and accessible.
• To encourage a shift in personal lifestyle and behaviour towards transportation choices that enhance personal health and fitness, save money, and have the lowest environmental cost.

It is imperative that we get the necessary improvements in place as opportunity presents itself. And it is important that proper engineering is applied to ensure safe outcomes.

When slowing or ‘calming’ traffic, the right design invites the right driver response. The guiding principle of traffic calming is to influence motorist speeds and behavior through good design whenever possible, rather than by traffic control measures such as traffic signals and STOP signs.

There are many design and engineering tools that can be used to slow down traffic and make it safer for children to walk and bicycle to school including;

• Narrow lanes
• Chokers and chicanes
• Speed humps
• Raised pedestrian crosswalks
• Neighborhood traffic circles
• Reduced corner radiiSpeed sensitive signals
  

Source: http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/guide/engineering/slowing_down_traffic.cfm

Proper consideration must be given to effective traffic calming design if we are to be supportive of active modes of transportation like walking and cycling. Lane narrowing, the addition of bicycle lanes, wider sidewalks, a traffic median, a pedestrian crossing are all potential treatments that could enhance the safety of the school zone.

Surely the concentration of schools on this dangerous roadway makes safety considerations a priority for the city to address in a timely fashion.

TLC is happy to assist by being part of a public process that effectively deals with the worthy goals of providing safe and active routes to school, and improved cycling and walking facilities for area residents.

TLC would appreciate your prompt response and an outline/timeline of the next steps you intend to take.

We look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Randy Kay

For Transportation for Liveable Communities

The Hollingsworth Thread

Sorry to take so long to get back to you on this. The following is the most up to date information I could get for your questions:

1.We understand that as a condition of development approval, the School Board will be required to construct a westbound left turn lane on Governors Road for the access into the School site.

2. We understand that the City included the Class EA Study for the feasibility of constructing a roundabout at Governors and Davidson into the 2007 Work Plan.

3. The implementation of the bicycle lanes on Governors Road, as proposed in the City Wide Transportation Master Plan (TMP), will be considered in all future work. However, since the TMP has not been approved yet by Council, bike lanes cannot be installed as part of the current work.

Hopefully this answers your questions. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail.

Brian Hollingworth
Associate Director
IBI Group
230 Richmond Street W, 5th Fl.
Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1V6
Tel: 416-596-1930 ext. 414
Fax: 416-596-0644

-----Original Message-----
From: randy opirg [mailto:randy@opirg.org]
Sent: November 2, 2006 4:02 PM
To: bholling@ibigroup.com
Subject: Re: Governors Road

I appreciate the note Brian - I was about to give up hope! The particular section of Governors Road I am referring to is essentially west from Creighton. The PIC/GRIDS maps showed a blue line which indicated bicycle improvements.

Thanks for your time on this,

Randy

----- Original Message -----

From: Brian Hollingworth

To: randy opirg

Sent: Thursday, November 02, 2006 2:48 PM

Subject: RE: Governors Road

Just to let you know we have not forgotten your question. I am trying to get more information on the current proposal you are referring to.

Thanks you for your inquiry.

Brian Hollingworth
Associate Director
IBI Group
230 Richmond Street W, 5th Fl.
Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1V6
Tel: 416-596-1930 ext. 414
Fax: 416-596-0644

-----Original Message-----
From: randy opirg [mailto:randy@opirg.org]
Sent: October 13, 2006 1:39 PM
To: bhollingworth@ibigroup.com; htanguay@hamilton.ca
Subject: Governors Road

Hello Hélène and Brian - I attended to PIC for the transportation plan and like the general direction it is going.

When it comes to specifics I have a question in relation to Governor's Road in Dundas - the material I saw showed that there was to be improvements to cycling - either bike lanes, paved shoulder or something. My question is: will these improvements be integrated with the very current work that is being proposed for this stretch of road: I am referring to the Dundas West School and the proposed roundabout (and other traffic calming measures).

This would seem to offer an opportunity to make changes that would enhance the safety of students using the schools, while advancing the TMP goals.

Your thoughts would be appreciated,

Randy Kay

249 Governor's Road,

Dundas ON

Contact Catch Up

I spoke with both Kathryn Starodub, Principal of Highland Secondary and Sherri Michell of the Highland Parents Association on Monday October 23, 2006 about Governor's Road.

Kathryn informed me that

• they had the HSR bus stop across the road from the school moved to the nearby signalized intersection at Bridlewood. Before the move, the location of the stop encouraged students to cross with no infrastructure.
• She thought flashing lights indicating school zone would be helpful.
• She indicated that a turning lane at Highland would help relieve traffic tie-ups
• she felt the timing of the stoplights at Bridlewood/Castlewood and Governors needed to increase the turning times for cars coming onto Governors.
• The student hit by a car on Governors is back at school and making a great recovery

Sherri emphasised education for drivers, including parents and residents, to remind them to slow down in the vicinity of the school. She questioned the utility of the roundabout, thinking it was too far from the school zone.

OUTSTANDING:

My October 6/06 e-mail and follow up e-mail October 20 still awaits replies from City Staff including: Ed Switenky eswitenk@hamilton.ca, Acting Manager, Traffic Engineering and Operations; Hart Solomon hsolomon@hamilton.ca; Ron Gallo rgallo@hamilton.ca, Supervisor of Signals and Systems, Public Works; and, Rodney Aitchison raitchis@hamilton.ca

Brian Hollingsworth e-mailed to say he was going to provide some info regarding the GRIDS plan for bicycle infrastructure on Governors west of Creighton.

contact 3

Phone tag finally concluded today between St. Bernadette's principal and I: point form notes:

• large percentage "about 90%" of children are bussed to the school
• only a few students walk
• they use the crossing guard at Creighton/Governors
• it would be useful to have a pedestrian activated signal/crossing between Highland School and St. Bernadettes (there is a long stretch with no crossings between Bridlewood and Creighton)
• she hasn't spoken to the city about traffic - her concern "is in our driveway, not a lot of our kids go beyond the driveway.")

Other contact - I left another voice mail for the principal at Highland seeking info about their plans, and for a contact number for the Parent's Council.

Councillor Samson's office replied to my prompt for a response from city staff about my earlier questions, so I expect something in the near future.

Contact 2

Had a phone chat with Public School Trustee Jessica Brennan - she explained the process regarding transportation i.e.

• the board had to submit a transportation study to the city for approval - the city has that now. [I will try and get info about this]
• according to the board project manager for the Dundas West School, the person at the city they are working with is Ken D'Andre, Business Facilitator. After speaking with him today on the phone, it seems most of the planning is focused on the intersection of Governors and Bridlewood, and not likely to include traffic calming elsewhere on the road. More on that later. I've got a call in to Tanya McKenna to find out more. Ken also told me that city staff in the Urban Design Section would be the ones working on safe pedestrian routes, so that should be interesting to find out about)
• So far the board and the local councillor have agreed on flashing lights (see earlier post on concerns about effectiveness) for the school zone.
• As far as information about the new school, there is currently nothing on the web about it, they are behind schedule to have a web site due to turn-around in staff at the board.

Thanks Jessica for the prompt replies!

Contact

Trying to get the lay of the land I've contacted representatives of several institutions who should/do have an interest in safety along Governor's Road.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13 I left messages for

• The prinicipal at St. Bernadettes
• Highland Secondary (looking for the Highland Parents Council)
• City Traffic's Ron Gallo (Director of signals)
• Jessica Brennan (Public School Trustee)
• Helene Tanguay and Brian Hollingsworth who are staff/consultants on the city's Transportation master plan.

RESPONSE:

• Jessica Brennan e-mailed back and left her phone number to discuss this issue (playing phone tag right now)
• The principal at St. Bernadettes called back Friday when I was out. I called Monday morning and left another message.

I actually began searching for information from the city on Governor's Road traffic issues back in February 2006. The lines of communication have not been easy to follow, and I'm still waiting for many questions to be answered by city staff, including the following questions from an October 6, 2006 e-mail:

• Who are the city staff working on design?
• Is there going to be an EA process?
• Is traffic calming being considered (beyond the flashing lights)?
• How is the public to be involved in the process?
• The GRIDS drawings for this area showed bicycle lanes or some such treatment - is this being done now for the new school?

CITY STAFF

Ed Switenky eswitenk@hamilton.ca

Acting Manager, Traffic Engineering and Operations
Hart Solomon hsolomon@hamilton.ca

Ron Gallo rgallo@hamilton.ca

Supervisor of Signals and Systems, Public Works

Rodney Aitchison raitchis@hamilton.ca

Stay tuned...L.S.

September minutes

The latest minutes from the Dundas Community Council:

3(b) Dundas West School

Grading has begun and it is anticipated that the school will be open in September 2007.

Councillor Samson reported that there are three things he has been working on: movement of the traffic guard from Creighton and Kemp to the stoplight at Bridlewood; the erection of two flashing signs to indicate the school area and reduced speed (One at Huntingwood and the other at Moss Blvd.); and a traffic round-a-bout at Davidson Blvd or Pirie. The most recent information received with regard to the round-a-bout was that it is going into the 2007 budget, however they must do an Environmental Assessment before they can finalize it. The purpose of constructing a round-about will be to slow traffic flows while maintaining movement on Governor’s Road.

Some good things there, but I guess the question is: is it enough? While the traffic circle is a physically engineered traffic calming device that forces cars to slow (while maintaining flow), flashing lights rely on enforcement, which is not nearly as effective as physically changing the roadway.

Residents and users need to see the plans in full and make comments to ensure a good design. Perhaps this will come with the EA, but is the EA only in relation to the traffic circle and not the rest of the puzzle? -L.S.