Why has the city made changes to the road?
The changes to reduce the travel lanes on Main St. is being implemented to achieve slower vehicle speeds and reduce collisions. The residual pavement width provided an opportunity for bike lanes or parking spots. First and foremost this pilot project is intended as traffic calming to improve safety for everyone - whether walking, cycling or driving. The goal is to encourage safer driving speeds, reduce collisions and create a more comfortable environment for all users.
For background information - In 2020 the city retained a consultant CIMA Canada to look at safety across the city, assess collision trends and identify and prioritize locations based on severity and risk to road users. A review of collision data, identified collision clusters along Denison St and Main St. These streets were then recommended to have traffic calming measures implemented due to a high number of collisions.
Additionally, this section of Main St (part of the Heritage Conservation District) was scheduled for reconstruction following the revitalization of the south end, however, due to cost escalations, this portion of the project was postponed for several years.
Since the original design was approved for the reconstruction of this section of Main ST. conditions in the area have evolved and it is necessary to revisit the design.
The lessons learned from this pilot project will help guide the future revitalization plans for this section of Main St. City staff will monitor the project and changing traffic patterns and asses what is working well, what isn’t and where adjustments may be needed. Commuters of through traffic are encouraged to use major roads such as 16th Avenue, Ninth line and McCowan designed for higher volumes of traffic.
This is a “quick build pilot project” to help improve the immediate concerns of safety.
As a resident in this area, I completely understand the frustration with GO train delays and the regular congestion we experience throughout the city. City staff and I have reached out to Metrolinx to request the arm/barricade be raised when the train is stopped and heading south bound to alleviate some of the back-up traffic, which has always been a point of concern for a long time.
Once the line painting is complete, the city will monitor and evaluate how the pilot is working as we continue to work towards a safer community for all.
Road Safety Audit - Traffic Safety Audit 2020
