Local News

Public input on proposed line

City staff are recommending King Street and Main Street revert back to two-way traffic for the new rapid transit line proposed to cross Hamilton between McMaster University and Eastgate Square.

By Hamiton Spectator, Last Updated Thursday, June 04, 2009

Published in the Hamilton Spectator on June 4, 2009.

City staff are recommending King Street and Main Street revert back to two-way traffic for the new rapid transit line proposed to cross Hamilton between McMaster University and Eastgate Square.

Staff prefer a typical transit system running along the median of King Street, with vehicle traffic in the north and south curb lanes. The two main arteries would convert to two-way traffic between Paradise Road in the west and the Delta in the east.

Council and citizens have overwhelmingly backed a Light Rail Transit (LRT) for the line, but that still has to be decided by the provincial agency MetroLinx and it could support a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.

Residents can learn more about the staff preference at an open house next Tuesday at the Sheraton Hotel, between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The city wants to hear what residents think about the proposed operation and also to confirm support for a LRT. It held two open houses this week, one held in west Hamilton Monday that was attended by 20 people.

Lisa Zinkewich, senior project manager, said a transit line running down the median would disrupt the least traffic and has also been shown to boost economic development.