tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368128452024-03-06T00:56:32.554-05:00transportation for liveable communitiesSustainable transportation advocacy in Hamilton ON, est 2000tlchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01029664412590883267noreply@blogger.comBlogger491125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36812845.post-86161428161436957652020-09-13T11:06:00.001-04:002020-09-13T11:07:18.622-04:00Valley Inn Bridge <p><span style="font-family: Rokkitt, serif; font-size: 16.5148pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">McNally Foundation offers $1M to save Valley Inn Road bridge - Hamilton closed the beloved 'clickety-clack' bridge over safety concerns last December </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-b1ee51ed-7fff-af05-bce6-77d6fb3045c6"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 62.03623390197754pt; margin-top: 15.76409912109375pt;"><span style="font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 9.75876pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">September 11, 2020 </span><span style="color: #848484; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 9.75876pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">| </span><span style="font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 9.75876pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hamilton Spectator, The (Ontario, Canada) </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 61.52877998352051pt; margin-top: 3.7532958984375pt;"><span style="font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 9.75876pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Author: Matthew Van Dongen The Hamilton Spectator </span><span style="color: #848484; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 9.75876pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">| </span><span style="font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 9.75876pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Page: A1,A2 </span><span style="color: #848484; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 9.75876pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">| </span><span style="font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 9.75876pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Section: Local / News </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 62.085031509399414pt; margin-top: 3.75341796875pt;"><span style="font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 9.75876pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">698 Words </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 62.085031509399414pt; margin-top: 3.75341796875pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6z2szxRt0_PnsnYjCFcqJkhD6N9bdXhFtw69Dt-LyTN3-hBcq6xD5J1VnE-Ne7Hu1s0cXVKzH9Vl91c2S89p1BC2iH7cXqKYqSNLJjAd10oGqXHk2-7OI4nh7uPwcw0HmmTyG/s4032/20200710_113814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fence blocking access to Valley Inn Road pedestrian bridge" border="0" data-original-height="1860" data-original-width="4032" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6z2szxRt0_PnsnYjCFcqJkhD6N9bdXhFtw69Dt-LyTN3-hBcq6xD5J1VnE-Ne7Hu1s0cXVKzH9Vl91c2S89p1BC2iH7cXqKYqSNLJjAd10oGqXHk2-7OI4nh7uPwcw0HmmTyG/w500-h231/20200710_113814.jpg" title="Valley Inn Road Pedestrian Bridge blocked - Photo by Randy Kay" width="500" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhte1sAI834cxpWsCJtBYfgVwM1LdSjoBNYjIdPrntDzTPFsLb-G2bGaipLXpTNLDMkQGb-LW3hR3FNBH5QcOreER2O9g1-nj-3cSyYjCIug3h6rNdsOa6NT56o8bwQ8HY7YG9H/s4032/20200710_113717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Small bridge spanning Grindstone Creek in a natural valley" border="0" data-original-height="1860" data-original-width="4032" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhte1sAI834cxpWsCJtBYfgVwM1LdSjoBNYjIdPrntDzTPFsLb-G2bGaipLXpTNLDMkQGb-LW3hR3FNBH5QcOreER2O9g1-nj-3cSyYjCIug3h6rNdsOa6NT56o8bwQ8HY7YG9H/w500-h231/20200710_113717.jpg" title="Valley Inn Road Bridge - Photo by Randy Kay" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5682671546936036; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1.2657833099365234pt; margin-right: 15.12481689453125pt; margin-top: 48.29833984375pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.011005401611328125pt; text-indent: -0.011005401611328125pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0049pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A charitable foundation is offering up to $1 million to save the beloved-but-crumbling "clickety-clack" bridge on Valley Inn Road. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5682671546936036; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1.551910400390625pt; margin-right: 36.74774169921875pt; margin-top: 18.311004638671875pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.25311279296875pt; text-indent: -0.25311279296875pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0049pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The 56-year-old rattling timber span was closed to cyclists, runners and visitors to Royal Botanical Gardens natural lands last December after a city bridge inspection found failing support girders. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5682658672332763; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1.2657833099365234pt; margin-right: 17.221435546875pt; margin-top: 18.31103515625pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.5172290802001953pt; text-indent: -0.5172290802001953pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0049pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A repair or replacement plan was complicated by the discovery that the boundary with Burlington falls in the middle of the pedestrian bridge spanning the outlet of Grindstone Creek at the harbour. A municipal COVID-19 cash crunch made repair prospects even more grim. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5682671546936036; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1.551910400390625pt; margin-right: 11.6171875pt; margin-top: 18.31103515625pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.23110198974609375pt; text-indent: -0.23110198974609375pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0049pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That's why the Patrick J. McNally Charitable Foundation has offered to "cover the entire bill" for repairs up to $1 million, said Graham McNally, grandson of the foundation's namesake. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5682671546936036; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1.551910400390625pt; margin-right: 15.9940185546875pt; margin-top: 18.311004638671875pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.3191413879394531pt; text-indent: -0.3191413879394531pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0049pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That work could include using cranes to lift the rickety bailey bridge out of its half-century-old home, repair the structure off-site, and carefully placing it back onto refurbished concrete abutments - likely sometime next year. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5682671546936036; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1.5409049987792969pt; margin-right: 2.806884765625pt; margin-top: 18.310989379882812pt; text-indent: 0.3631610870361328pt;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0049pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's not yet clear whether a rehabilitated bridge would allow vehicle traffic once again. The current span was closed to cars a decade ago to prolong its life. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5682671546936036; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1.5409049987792969pt; margin-right: 2.806884765625pt; margin-top: 18.310989379882812pt; text-indent: 0.3631610870361328pt;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0049pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5682671546936036; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1.5409049987792969pt; margin-right: 6.20013427734375pt; margin-top: 18.311019897460938pt; text-indent: 0.18708419799804688pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0049pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">McNally said his grandfather "greatly valued" public access to RBG, and the ailing bridge is an "important link" to the Grindstone Creek trails, marsh and birdwatching hot spots. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5682682991027832; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1.551910400390625pt; margin-right: 46.82855224609375pt; margin-top: 18.31102752685547pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.42918968200683594pt; text-indent: -0.42918968200683594pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0049pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The fences currently barring access to the bridge now prevent a valley link from the Rock Garden on York Boulevard to RBG's Laking Gardens and marsh trails across the creek. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5682682991027832; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1.6619586944580078pt; margin-right: 7.57525634765625pt; margin-top: 18.31096649169922pt; text-indent: 0.06603050231933594pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0049pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">McNally said The Spectator's article about the fate of the bridge in February spurred foundation members like his uncle, Mike McNally, to talk to the city and RBG about ways to salvage the failing bridge. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5682682991027832; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1.6619586944580078pt; margin-right: 7.57525634765625pt; margin-top: 18.31096649169922pt; text-indent: 0.06603050231933594pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0049pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The pedestrian bridge also represents a "historic connection" to Burlington and neighbouring communities, noted Hamilton city councillor Maureen Wilson, with Valley Inn Road once used as the main road link - it was even briefly tolled - between Dundas and Toronto. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5682671546936036; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1.4638710021972656pt; margin-right: 13.03509521484375pt; margin-top: 18.31103515625pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.44019508361816406pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0049pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It remains a critical part of the race route for 10,000 annual Around the Bay runners who must cross the span to reach famous Heartbreak Hill. The wood planks on the span also make it a popular, noisy trail for young cyclists who call it the "clickety-clack" bridge. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5682615756988525; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1.4638710021972656pt; margin-right: 7.1607666015625pt; margin-top: 18.31103515625pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.38517189025878906pt; text-indent: -0.38517189025878906pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0049pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wilson praised the "continued community commitment" of the foundation, which also recently rode to the rescue of Hamilton's endangered SoBi bike-share network with an emergency $100,000 donation. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5682671546936036; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1.6069355010986328pt; margin-right: 2.27484130859375pt; margin-top: 18.31109619140625pt; text-indent: 0.3741645812988281pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0049pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She noted Hamilton is facing a multimillion-dollar pandemic deficit and the city was already struggling to find enough annual cash to repair bridges that carry vehicles and commuter traffic. There was no capital cash budgeted for bridge replacement, so far. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5682671546936036; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1.8490428924560547pt; margin-right: 7.515625pt; margin-top: 18.31103515625pt; text-indent: 0.2641162872314453pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0049pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"We understand COVID has made funding for things like (a pedestrian bridge) a challenge," McNally said. "So, in order to bump it up to a higher priority, we stepped forward to help." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5682671546936036; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1.6619586944580078pt; margin-right: 9.38623046875pt; margin-top: 18.31103515625pt; text-indent: 0.3411521911621094pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0049pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger has a motion scheduled for Friday to kick-start a tendering process for repairs using the donated cash - assuming councillors sign off on the idea. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1.9040660858154297pt; margin-top: 18.31103515625pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0049pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If they do, the private repair job would still need to clear a few hurdles. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.568256139755249; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1.805023193359375pt; margin-right: 7.8441162109375pt; margin-top: 23.526123046875pt; text-indent: 0.13205718994140625pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0049pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For starters, repairs would not go ahead until project bids confirm the work can be done for $1 million or less. It's not clear yet what would happen if the work goes overbudget. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5682671546936036; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1.2657833099365234pt; margin-right: 21.73211669921875pt; margin-top: 18.311126708984375pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.7373275756835938pt; text-indent: -0.7373275756835938pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0049pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Also, Burlington - the belatedly identified half-owner of the bridge - will have to agree to the deal. (Wilson said Hamilton, Burlington and the RBG have all been in discussions about the prospective fix.) </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5682671546936036; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1.5409049987792969pt; margin-right: 11.6864013671875pt; margin-top: 18.31103515625pt; text-indent: 0.3631610870361328pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0049pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In February, Burlington officials told The Spectator that city did not own the structure, but later said land title to the bridge was shared with Hamilton after amalgamation. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1.9040660858154297pt; margin-top: 18.311019897460938pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0049pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ironically, this wasn't the first time the bridge was the source of jurisdictional debate. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5682671546936036; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1.551910400390625pt; margin-right: 23.68658447265625pt; margin-top: 23.526123046875pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.308135986328125pt; text-indent: -0.308135986328125pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0049pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The current bailey bridge was meant to be a temporary solution when it was installed in 1965 after the original damaged span collapsed into the harbour. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5682682991027832; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1.9040660858154297pt; margin-right: 16.425048828125pt; margin-top: 18.31103515625pt; text-indent: 0.03301429748535156pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0049pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Even then, responsibility for replacement was disputed by the adjoining municipalities of Burlington, Hamilton and Flamborough.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5682682991027832; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1.9040660858154297pt; margin-right: 16.425048828125pt; margin-top: 18.31103515625pt; text-indent: 0.03301429748535156pt;"><span></span></p><!--more--><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0049pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 44.31034851074219pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 8pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=AWNB&t=pubname%3AOHSB%21Hamilton%2BSpectator%252C%2BThe%2B%2528Ontario%252C… 2/3 </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.167999267578125pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 8pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9/13/2020 Document View | NewsBank </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5682671546936036; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1.7279891967773438pt; margin-right: 28.50640869140625pt; margin-top: 11.0059814453125pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.13205718994140625pt; text-indent: -0.13205718994140625pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0049pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matthew Van Dongen is a Hamilton-based reporter covering transportation for The Spectator. Reach him via email: mvandongen@thespec.com </span></p><div><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0049pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094473740572791152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36812845.post-82625326954662833192020-08-25T17:38:00.003-04:002020-08-27T12:39:07.429-04:00TRUCK ROUTE SURVEYYes, another survey from the city of Hamilton. This one about truck routes. Have a say, and feel free to comment about the survey: was it good? were there confusing sections? <p>The first thing to note, the survey was oddly presented on their webpage as a "Let's talk about trucks" tab - I think "Survey" would have sufficed, but the important thing is to add your voice to the discussion. </p><p>There are other groups working on the truck route study, like Environment Hamilton's <a href="https://www.environmenthamilton.org/friendly_streets_hamilton">Friendly Streets</a> initiative, so check them out. We can add our collective voice to ensure a more balanced truck route plan to keep heavy trucks out of residential areas along arterial roads. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQMYVcj6H75q-zjXo0OElbQUpuqPoVEFUKtai6t10ao-8VJfj91V0IZHffHMv3yCLuJrI9Ac0d1U0ohujDS7fmqvd1F2aXyNv_EQy2zmQEyENQnq9GCyMjeinLA4tDteW6P37/s2048/Screen+Shot+2020-08-25+at+10.26.07+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQMYVcj6H75q-zjXo0OElbQUpuqPoVEFUKtai6t10ao-8VJfj91V0IZHffHMv3yCLuJrI9Ac0d1U0ohujDS7fmqvd1F2aXyNv_EQy2zmQEyENQnq9GCyMjeinLA4tDteW6P37/s640/Screen+Shot+2020-08-25+at+10.26.07+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>Here's a link to the Truck study page: <a href="https://engage.hamilton.ca/trmp">https://engage.hamilton.ca/trmp</a></p><p>Here's a direct link to the survey: <a href="https://engage.hamilton.ca/trmp/survey_tools/lets-talk-about-trucks">https://engage.hamilton.ca/trmp/survey_tools/lets-talk-about-trucks</a></p><p>Give yourself about 10 minutes, and feel free to share your experience here with us in the comments.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxNxYPQqRMCY3wB-TELGx1Hbb959m_QiyaQeRln2EFErRpd2XQoSulNYqenxqFQ9e22BjFTF2ox9dY' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p> </p>Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094473740572791152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36812845.post-28389161120714458582020-08-22T10:46:00.002-04:002020-08-22T10:48:08.011-04:00Tired of slipping on winter sidewalks? Make your voice heard!<p>It's tough to raise this during a heatwave, but the city of Hamilton has an <a href="https://engage.hamilton.ca/sidewalk-snow-clearing">online survey about winter maintenance of sidewalks.</a> It closes on September 11, 2020.</p><p>We know how important it is to support people getting places on foot, and we see how the city leaves it up to individual property owners to clear snow from sidewalks. It doesn't work. </p><p>Telltale signs are images like seniors walking on the road because sidewalks are icy or snow-covered. </p><p>We don't know how many people can't leave their homes because of the sidewalk conditions. </p><p>We do know that the city ploughs sidewalks in front of schools, parks etc, but then they lift the plough to go to the next area. It's piecemeal and not dependable for people trying to get places. </p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Here's where you can help!</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>First step: take the city's survey: <a href="https://engage.hamilton.ca/sidewalk-snow-clearing">https://engage.hamilton.ca/sidewalk-snow-clearing</a></li><li>2nd step: <a href="https://www.hamilton.ca/council-committee/mayor-council/city-councillors">contact your ward councillor</a> and the Mayor (<a href="mailto:mayor@hamilton.ca">mayor@hamilton.ca</a>) and let them know you support a comprehensive sidewalk snow-clearing strategy. This reinforces the survey by getting it in front of the councillor directly. </li><li>Lastly, if you want to help us with further advocacy, join our email list (see right sidebar) so we can follow-up with you.</li></ul><div><b>DEADLINE for the City Survey is September 11, 2020. </b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ZqnRprjyFmgqLijDSEhQuzoaFaThO5VJSNGTSsyM_of0MQO1BiVAtedQhoQKKz27-hPmDAotwELXjcNUr5Xkolp-6ehvdowJ7xWBROTZQZfa7X0XLkt3TpUot1kDrT6su-V_/s2048/20200121_173243.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ZqnRprjyFmgqLijDSEhQuzoaFaThO5VJSNGTSsyM_of0MQO1BiVAtedQhoQKKz27-hPmDAotwELXjcNUr5Xkolp-6ehvdowJ7xWBROTZQZfa7X0XLkt3TpUot1kDrT6su-V_/s640/20200121_173243.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDH1OG4AY_MLZeswYT2BeaD_rT1J5aoKOqwBkPTZTZw1neI-72Nfqepy1qxIPulQnpKsljkAsTsffdQyvgHeV-pHybIE3hJ2r6Q6J6EpWw5kVE6JenFUeG0G8zcDKPQIeJyTtU/s2048/20200120_083306.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDH1OG4AY_MLZeswYT2BeaD_rT1J5aoKOqwBkPTZTZw1neI-72Nfqepy1qxIPulQnpKsljkAsTsffdQyvgHeV-pHybIE3hJ2r6Q6J6EpWw5kVE6JenFUeG0G8zcDKPQIeJyTtU/s640/20200120_083306.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Thanks for taking action with us!</span></p>Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094473740572791152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36812845.post-6180568992059362942020-08-05T17:26:00.002-04:002020-08-05T17:26:52.520-04:00What is Hamilton doing?What is the city of Hamilton doing to address COVID-19 and the need for more space for physical distancing? <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljQmO2Ep-vJgCpjDVGJEhgNV7pTcZqDzti6_9UzSbDFGBcBdynqwS3fV3dkQWfVt1IZLrpMJZFfvrIZFpGhYRDHOWTCI8zWxRCK_GFneqxBJSFeYbxl7dLwBUhXydWlwJt42e/s2611/20200503_172928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2611" data-original-width="1204" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljQmO2Ep-vJgCpjDVGJEhgNV7pTcZqDzti6_9UzSbDFGBcBdynqwS3fV3dkQWfVt1IZLrpMJZFfvrIZFpGhYRDHOWTCI8zWxRCK_GFneqxBJSFeYbxl7dLwBUhXydWlwJt42e/s640/20200503_172928.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cancelled "beg button" at some intersections</td></tr></tbody></table><div><div><br />It really feels like we are just sitting with the status quo, despite the obvious need to create more space for people walking, cycling or even just waiting for transit. </div><div><br /></div><div>So far, I think the photo captures all the changes other than allowing some patios on streets and parking lots. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you have anything to share on the topic, please let us know here in the comments. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you are interested in forming a (virtual) working group to start addressing the lack of action, get in touch through our email (or sign-up using the form on this blog)</div><div><br /></div><div>EMAIL: tlchamilton(at)gmail(dot)com</div></div>Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094473740572791152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36812845.post-63492274448644401672019-05-07T00:04:00.002-04:002019-05-07T00:04:31.748-04:00Kids in poorer areas of Ontario face greater risk of getting hit by cars, study finds
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkaZ_u9LxJuhM3Gmaonswh8TMZra694QUr3dfNZHaaBYD_qJJLROhV-GWLfYzjn45eh5sz0FsvV3fH3ZCOWvQMNovhdsYfcj-JmyO0WAGMgxXfcIQujtfasisjsmSd0FofLmQ/s1600/IMG_2358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkaZ_u9LxJuhM3Gmaonswh8TMZra694QUr3dfNZHaaBYD_qJJLROhV-GWLfYzjn45eh5sz0FsvV3fH3ZCOWvQMNovhdsYfcj-JmyO0WAGMgxXfcIQujtfasisjsmSd0FofLmQ/s320/IMG_2358.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b>“Child pedestrian injury is a public health and health equity issue,” says lead study author.</b></div>
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<b>By Paola Loriggio</b> <b>The Canadian Press</b></div>
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A new study suggests children from poorer areas of Ontario face a greater risk of getting hit by vehicles than those from wealthier areas, possibly because they are more likely to walk to school alone.</div>
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The study — conducted by researchers at Sick Kids hospital, York University and ICES, formerly known as the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences — examined data on emergency department visits related to kids hit by cars from 2008 to 2015.</div>
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Overall, it found the number of ER visits for that type of incident decreased by 18 per cent over those years. But while kids living in high-income areas saw the number of visits drop by 22 per cent, those in low-income neighbourhoods saw an increase of 14 per cent.</div>
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The study's authors say that means children in the highest-income areas had a rate of ER visits due to getting hit by vehicles that was 48 per cent lower than those in the lowest-income areas.</div>
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"Simply put, poorer children are at an increased risk of getting hit by cars. Child pedestrian injury is a public health and health equity issue," the study's lead author, Dr. Linda Rothman, said in a statement.</div>
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"Although progress has been made in reducing preventable pedestrian-motor vehicle collisions, more work remains to be done. Our streets should be safe for all children to walk to school, to the playground or to the park," said Rothman, a senior research associate in child health evaluative sciences at Sick Kids.</div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">"Simply put, poorer children are at an increased risk of getting hit by cars."</span></h2>
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The researchers say reducing health disparities linked to socioeconomic status is a policy objective in Canada, and they wanted to see whether there had been progress when it comes to children getting hit by cars.</div>
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The study, published in the April 2019 edition of the journal Injury Prevention, suggests a few possible explanations for the phenomenon but does not come to a final conclusion.</div>
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"While in some cities, children in low-income areas are more likely to walk to school, this association has not been found in previous studies in Toronto," it says. "Another potential explanation is that children from low-income families are more likely to walk to school unescorted, which may put them at increased risk of injury."</div>
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Creating safer roads would ensure a safer walking environment for middle and high school kids who often walk alone and account for most emergency department visits due to getting hit by vehicles, the study says.</div>
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Younger kids, meanwhile, may benefit from having well-maintained playgrounds since a lack of playgrounds could lead them to play in the streets and be exposed to traffic, it says.</div>
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"Recent research has found differences in road safety features in high-income versus low-income areas, with more lower speed roadways and traffic calming measures in higher income areas. A request-based process in many cities in relation to installing traffic safety features such as speed humps may favour communities with higher income levels," the document reads.</div>
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The authors say the findings highlight potential strategies to reduce vehicle-pedestrian collision rates in poorer areas by installing similar traffic-slowing measures.</div>
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However, the study assigned income status based on the children's residence, not the site of the collision, so the link with the environment cannot be "definitively addressed," it says.</div>
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The data examined also did not include children who died at the scene of the collision, which means deaths are likely under-represented in the study, the document says.</div>
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The study found teens and preteens were at the highest risk of getting hit in the time period examined, accounting for 51 and 26 per cent of ER visits respectively. The majority — 73 per cent — of incidents occurred in cities, compared with 20 per cent in the suburbs.</div>
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[source: <a href="https://www.thespec.com/news-story/9340330-kids-in-poorer-areas-of-ontario-face-greater-risk-of-getting-hit-by-cars-study-finds/">https://www.thespec.com/news-story/9340330-kids-in-poorer-areas-of-ontario-face-greater-risk-of-getting-hit-by-cars-study-finds/</a>]</div>
<br />Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094473740572791152noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36812845.post-14303206390001848702018-01-05T12:44:00.000-05:002018-01-05T19:02:56.925-05:00Hamilton History: Transmission Zine<div class="issuuembed" data-configid="2175501/57063258" style="height: 473px; width: 546px;">
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<br />
Back in 2005 a few of the TLC crowd got together and put out the first (and only) issue of Trans-Mission zine.<br />
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Here's an online version of the paper copy, recently scanned for posterity, and sharing!<br />
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TRANS-MISSION 1: Hamilton's Alternative Transportation Zine. April 2005</h3>
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Contents </h4>
<ul>
<li>Art & Cover Art by Gord Pullar </li>
<li>POEM: Avocado by April A. Severin. </li>
<li>PHOTO: W.A.L.K. by Mike Smith. </li>
<li>Small Steps by Michael Hampson. </li>
<li>Erasing Trails: A Walking Reflection by Randy Kay. </li>
<li>LETTER from Lorenzo Campanelli. </li>
<li>GO Boy by Dan Thompson. </li>
<li>Of Flight, Cars, and Car-Free Living by Beatrice Ekwa Ekoko. </li>
<li>POEM: Freedom and Exhilaration (a cyclist's lament) by Jeff Seffinga. </li>
<li>Broker on a Bike by Dean Carriere. </li>
<li>Transcript by Citizens at City Hall. - Top 10 Reasons why mei ling thinks critical mass was a success in 2004 by Mei Ling.</li>
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Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094473740572791152noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36812845.post-34396861700449756922017-12-06T11:22:00.002-05:002017-12-06T14:43:02.871-05:00McMaster rejects Freedom of Information request: TLC Appeals to Privacy Commissioner<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_u9DrXRL0NoRyGtLosiaRvM-UIV_FYJfo_g-kSV9TVxzeTnwGCiX6orxAcBerujqHX-tniFqKTvktvMLSZfLi8BBilGtiqcrGbtr9tICHa5y8rqriBChtvrEch6SIyxELgGO/s1600/20170913_140927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_u9DrXRL0NoRyGtLosiaRvM-UIV_FYJfo_g-kSV9TVxzeTnwGCiX6orxAcBerujqHX-tniFqKTvktvMLSZfLi8BBilGtiqcrGbtr9tICHa5y8rqriBChtvrEch6SIyxELgGO/s320/20170913_140927.jpg" width="180" /></a>McMaster refuses to release the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) report that we initiated with McMaster, which happily included an early request to TLC from Pavlos Kanaroglou, director of McMaster Institute on Transportation and Logistics (MITL), to be part of the process.<br />
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The initial TLC/MITL meeting with McMaster's VP Administration Roger Couldrey, and then Director of Parking and Security, Terry Sullivan, resulted in MITL getting a green light to conduct the research that TLC was asking for.<br />
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The MITL report, handed over to McMaster in January 2016 remains a secret document, and TLC's numerous requests for a copy of the report were turned down by McMaster top administrators.<br />
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Why? We have no idea.<br />
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Last week TLC filed an appeal to the Ontario Privacy Commissioner since McMaster has rejected TLC's Freedom of Information request for the information.<br />
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Here's the full media release sent out today:<br />
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McMaster Rejects Freedom Of Information Request</h2>
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Community Transportation Group appeals to privacy commissioner </h3>
It’s a report about transportation on campus. The report was initiated five-years ago after a letter from TLC Hamilton to the university resulted in a meeting and an agreement by McMaster to have the renowned McMaster Institute on Transportation and Logistics, invited to the process by TLC, undertake the research to prepare a report.<br />
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The subsequent Transportation Demand Management report was completed almost two years ago (January 2016), yet McMaster refuses to release the report to TLC Hamilton, first by ignoring numerous requests, then by rejecting the group’s Freedom of Information request.<br />
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<b>TLC has filed an appeal of the decision to the</b></div>
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<b><b>Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario</b></b></div>
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For TLC Hamilton the issue has become more about McMaster’s refusal to share information that they - even if they didn’t agree with the report’s findings - have no real reason to keep secret.<br />
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The principle of making McMaster research available to community partners shows up in every corner of the university’s guiding documents and policies, yet data about how many people park on campus lots or use various modes to commute to campus are somehow deemed off-limits?<br />
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TLC Hamilton believes McMaster’s obstruction goes counter to values TLC found with MITL Director Pavlos Kanaroglou, “a good friend of Hamilton.” A McMaster scholarship in Kanaroglou’s memory (he passed away in 2016) acknowledges his “commitment to both scholarship and citizenry” which TLC members felt defined their working relationship with Kanaroglou and the report author at MITL.<br />
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TLC Hamilton members are left trying to understand why the university is acting counter to these principles of collaboration and transparency.<br />
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<b>QUOTE</b>: “If the McMaster administration didn’t like the report findings, they could release it with that comment; instead they are violating the spirit of free enquiry and knowledge-sharing by blocking us from accessing the report, and forcing us deeper into the FOI process,” says TLC Spokesperson Randy Kay. “It’s an insult to the people who were involved in collaborating on the TDM report as well as the larger engaged Hamilton community.”Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094473740572791152noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36812845.post-43642009953720486762017-10-13T14:08:00.003-04:002017-10-13T15:56:54.896-04:00FOI Deadline goes by...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_u9DrXRL0NoRyGtLosiaRvM-UIV_FYJfo_g-kSV9TVxzeTnwGCiX6orxAcBerujqHX-tniFqKTvktvMLSZfLi8BBilGtiqcrGbtr9tICHa5y8rqriBChtvrEch6SIyxELgGO/s1600/20170913_140927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_u9DrXRL0NoRyGtLosiaRvM-UIV_FYJfo_g-kSV9TVxzeTnwGCiX6orxAcBerujqHX-tniFqKTvktvMLSZfLi8BBilGtiqcrGbtr9tICHa5y8rqriBChtvrEch6SIyxELgGO/s400/20170913_140927.jpg" width="225" /></a>Just a quick update.<br />
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TLC has not received any communication from McMaster University regarding our Freedom of Information request for the <i><b>Transportation Demand Management</b></i> plan submitted by MITL.<br />
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The FOI deadline was October 12.<br />
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I will have to (unfortunately) update our timeline to reflect this new period...<br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/TLCTDMTimeline">http://bit.ly/TLCTDMTimeline</a><br />
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<h3>
FYI on FOI</h3>
<b>Processing time</b><br />
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"You will get a written response to confirm that your request has been received. Organizations have 30 calendar days to process FOI requests except in specific circumstances. They will notify you if a time extension is required."<br />
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Source: <a href="https://www.ontario.ca/page/how-make-freedom-information-request#section-7">Government of Ontario</a><br />
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<br />Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094473740572791152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36812845.post-53397669664447460622017-09-22T21:31:00.001-04:002017-09-22T21:31:35.162-04:00Freedom to Wait for October 12 (FOI)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJcmxHYsXRdIv8pJUAsVuAYGi_9OlYF7ibJnDO35ts9MlhjPnWxFERE3A9jOuJdgdJlk-l8V43FLCLnPYeklUeCytygyqmx6-o5CMqRbIcM7NQj9PQ94NDJRJFShIdwttce4b/s1600/20170922_210416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="901" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJcmxHYsXRdIv8pJUAsVuAYGi_9OlYF7ibJnDO35ts9MlhjPnWxFERE3A9jOuJdgdJlk-l8V43FLCLnPYeklUeCytygyqmx6-o5CMqRbIcM7NQj9PQ94NDJRJFShIdwttce4b/s640/20170922_210416.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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Just keeping you in the FOI loop. Set the date: October 12, 2017.Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094473740572791152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36812845.post-56725786026500284592017-09-15T12:53:00.000-04:002017-09-15T12:53:09.229-04:00ICYMI on Twitter!<a class="twitter-timeline" data-partner="tweetdeck" href="https://twitter.com/dundastard/timelines/905796748521680897">McMaster TDM - Curated tweets by dundastard</a> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094473740572791152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36812845.post-84287951019242729902017-09-14T07:58:00.000-04:002017-10-13T13:51:14.113-04:00TLC Timeline of McMaster TDM ProcessWe started the process with a letter to McMaster administration in December 2012.<br />
<br />
The goal to have the campus adopt a Transportation Demand Management plan picked up when the director of McMaster's Institute for Transportation and Logistics asked to join TLC's effort.<br />
<br />
After a meeting with McMaster admin and the Director of Parking, McMaster gave MITL researchers a green light to create a TDM plan.<br />
<br />
McMaster received the final report in January 2016. It's September 2017 and TLC is being blocked from seeing the final report, despite clearly being integral to the process since the start.<br />
<br />
Why is McMaster hiding the report? They won't tell us.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="650" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://cdn.knightlab.com/libs/timeline3/latest/embed/index.html?source=1ISll5gf97p_ZLBZfjE_njolbkNrMJ3RO8kLgJYtqzhE&font=Default&lang=en&initial_zoom=2&height=650" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="100%"></iframe><br />
<br />
(Direct link to timeline <a href="http://bit.ly/TLCTDMTimeline">http://bit.ly/TLCTDMTimeline</a>)Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094473740572791152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36812845.post-80854214181704332672017-09-13T16:25:00.000-04:002017-09-13T18:21:04.512-04:00TLC files Freedom of Information (FOI) Request to McMaster for release of TDM ReportFor Immediate Release: Wednesday, September 13, 2017<br />
<br />
<b>Transportation for Livable Communities (TLC) Hamilton has been forced to file a freedom of information (FOI) request in an attempt to have McMaster University release a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) study initiated as a campus and community partnership in 2012.</b><br />
<b><br /></b> The proposal to have McMaster create a TDM for campus began with <a href="http://tlchamilton.blogspot.ca/2012/12/tdm-mcmaster.html">a letter from TLC to McMaster</a> University administration. TLC was then joined by the director of the highly respected McMaster Institute for Transportation and Logistics (<a href="http://mitl.mcmaster.ca/">MITL</a>) at an initial meeting with McMaster VP Administration Roger Couldrey and then director of Parking and Security Terry Sullivan.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyL1mO6GL1uf4NuuaK11q1tYuqWSsKCoSPzpDyUyvYlEIYuYz0EeHLXMc1GNTPM6hw8qesxCoADfOAVWVpBF9rkH1nZ6FcpH2wRVI0rR3EUACxAj8GPErpxDreFz4Dp_fjgdkk/s1600/20170913_140927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyL1mO6GL1uf4NuuaK11q1tYuqWSsKCoSPzpDyUyvYlEIYuYz0EeHLXMc1GNTPM6hw8qesxCoADfOAVWVpBF9rkH1nZ6FcpH2wRVI0rR3EUACxAj8GPErpxDreFz4Dp_fjgdkk/s320/20170913_140927.jpg" width="180" /></a>This meeting led to an agreement with McMaster to have MITL use their expertise to research and prepare a TDM plan for the campus.<br />
<br />
Several years later McMaster has repeatedly refused to comply with TLC requests to have access to the final report, which was completed in 2016.<br />
<br />
“We are frankly puzzled and frustrated by McMaster’s refusal to release the document that was clearly only undertaken due to our initial efforts to see McMaster take a proactive approach to its parking and transportation issues,” said Reuven Dukas, a senior TLC member and one of the initiators of the TDM study.<br />
<br />
A respectful and open collaboration on this file between TLC and MITL, led at the time by the late Prof. Pavlos Kanaroglou, has been overshadowed by McMaster’s lack of transparency.<br />
<br />
TLC’s numerous requests, in person, in phones calls, and in emails, over the past year to top McMaster officials have been repeatedly deflected or plainly ignored.<br />
<br />
TLC was left with no other option but to file a FOI with McMaster to gain access to the final TDM report, which was filed today.<br />
<br />
<b>QUOTE:</b><br />
Reuven Dukas (TLC):<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“Working with Pavlos and his researchers was a rewarding partnership, and an expression of the spirit of community collaboration that Pavlos made central to his work with MITL. It’s a shame that McMaster administration have shown a complete lack of respect for the example Pavlos embodied each step of the way with TLC.”</blockquote>
<b>LINKS</b><br />
<ul>
<li>TLC Hamilton: <a href="http://tlchamilton.blogspot.ca/">http://tlchamilton.blogspot.ca/</a></li>
<li>Interactive Timeline of TDM Process: <a href="http://bit.ly/TLCTDMTimeline">http://bit.ly/TLCTDMTimeline</a></li>
</ul>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094473740572791152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36812845.post-29342992874920053532017-07-27T07:30:00.000-04:002017-07-27T07:30:31.126-04:00 No guarantee Hamilton’s waterfront trail will open this summer<div style="text-align: right;">
Jul 26, 2017 by Matthew Van Dongen Hamilton Spectator</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
Uncertainty over the extent of flood damage to Hamilton's waterfront trail means there is no guarantee the popular path will reopen this summer.<br />
<br />
The mystery timeline has upset users of one of the city's most popular trails and forced the relocation of cycling and running scheduled as far ahead as September.<br />
<br />
Record spring water levels flooded large swaths of the trail in April, prompting the city to fence off the paved path between Princess Point and Bayfront Park.<br />
<br />
Water levels have since receded — spurring pointed questions from residents as well as trespassing — but not enough for the city to assess damage to the trail caused by flooding and pounding waves.<br />
<br />
"We know people are impatient, we are getting all those questions. We hope to have the answers soon," said parks manager Kara Bunn, who is waiting on a final assessment and recommendations from consultant Shoreplan Engineering. "But we know for sure some sections are unsafe."<br />
<br />
The Spectator paddled alongside and, at one point, over top the trail Tuesday to eyeball the damage.<br />
<br />
The only remaining drowned section of paved trail includes several metres curving around Cootes Paradise and across from Princess Point.<br />
<br />
But asphalt is clearly crumbling into Hamilton Harbour at several locations between the mouth of the Desjardins Canal and the temporary gate near Bayfront Park. In a few spots, the water has clearly undermined the path, despite temporary canvas barriers and sandbags visible along the shoreline.<br />
<br />
That hasn't stopped people from hopping the fence at either end of the trail — or cutting holes in the gate, an option clearly on display at Princess Point Tuesday.<br />
<br />
At least 70 people were recorded passing an automatic counter along a closed section of trail near Bayfront Park on a recent Sunday evening, for example.<br />
<br />
Regular trail cyclist Randy Kay said he would feel less frustrated about the closure if the city would provide progress updates or timelines.<br />
<br />
"There's been very little communication, which is pretty surprising given how much use this trail gets," he said.<br />
<br />
The city's own website suggests the section of trail from Princess Point through the Desjardins canal sees about 6,670 trips in a "peak week," for example.<br />
<br />
"Whether you look at it from a commuter standpoint or a recreational standpoint, it is just such an important part of our (cycling) infrastructure," he said.<br />
<br />
The city believes it will cost more than $1 million to fix the trail, but isn't otherwise ready to publicly guess at specific repair costs or timelines.<br />
<br />
But the organizer of upcoming MEC cycling and running races slated for two weekends in late September has been forced to reroute several hundred athletes away from the waterfront trail.<br />
<br />
"It's a shame, because it's such a beautiful location. People look forward to it," said co-ordinator Ryan Brown, who had to relocate the Bayfront Breezer running race to the Dundas Valley and reroute cyclists on the Century Ride through Hamilton onto parallel streets near the water.<br />
<br />
"But really, it's just as tough for all active Hamiltonians, because this trail is just such a hub of activity."<br />
<br />
Kay said he'd love for the city to consider opening the trail in instalments, or with temporary safety fencing around damaged areas, rather than waiting for a permanent fix.<br />
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The city is looking at that option, but there are no guarantees, Bunn said.<br />
<br />
She said the consultant will provide drawings of possible permanent or temporary solutions depending on the extent of the damage. It's taken a long time to evaluate the flood and wave-pounding erosion because the water levels remain high.<br />
<br />
"It's a wide path, but it's also one that is used at a fairly high speed," she said, pointing to cyclists and in-line skaters who travel in both directions. "We need to know what we have room to do safely."<br />
<br />
<br />
mvandongen@thespec.com<br />
905-526-3241 | @MattatthespecRandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094473740572791152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36812845.post-80992768807005911442016-06-10T11:40:00.000-04:002016-06-10T11:40:11.426-04:00Big Move transportation workshop in Hamilton June 23 - Let's speak up for transit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuU5M5kbwMMETqYkXIIDY51vWgC1xHuDR8pJP6H_1SDmNZ_qbQZfcKDeOwwlZsoilWWAvqv1xR6foHl-BwZcJSmvrff4J-u24zevxlDfrH5INWfzGyaphZkSmRjyOmSIw_Tow/s1600/Eposter+Hamilton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuU5M5kbwMMETqYkXIIDY51vWgC1xHuDR8pJP6H_1SDmNZ_qbQZfcKDeOwwlZsoilWWAvqv1xR6foHl-BwZcJSmvrff4J-u24zevxlDfrH5INWfzGyaphZkSmRjyOmSIw_Tow/s400/Eposter+Hamilton.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Register to learn and contribute to an improved transportation network. Don't leave it to the people who attack transit to be the loudest voices. </div>
<br />Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094473740572791152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36812845.post-12313802227525445802016-02-08T20:30:00.001-05:002016-02-08T20:30:34.694-05:00Response from City to Ward One Cycling improvements letter<div class="tr_bq">
Our <a href="http://tlchamilton.blogspot.ca/2016/02/ward-one-cycling-improvements-requested.html">letter to the city regarding some improvements to cycling infrastructure in Ward One</a> got a quick response from the councillor, followed shortly by this response from city cycling staff:</div>
<br />
<blockquote>
TLC, </blockquote>
<blockquote>
Thank you for these ideas, much appreciated. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
The City is currently updating the Cycling Master Plan/Transportation Master Plan so I have shared your original attachment with Steve M who is managing this update. Bike lanes on Emerson St have been added to the list of ideas. Also, we are currently adding additional route signage along some of these connections mentioned, so some improvements are already underway. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
Finally, McMaster University is reviewing their Master Plan as well, so we will share any of your relevant connectivity suggestions with them. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
Regards, </blockquote>
<blockquote>
Daryl Bender B.E.S.<br />Project Manager, Alternative Transportation<br />Public Works, City of Hamilton<br />905-546-2424 x 2066<br />www.hamilton.ca/Cycling</blockquote>
So, what do you think?<br />
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094473740572791152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36812845.post-21829583303008116752016-02-05T14:00:00.003-05:002016-02-05T14:00:43.164-05:00Ward One cycling improvements requested by TLC HamiltonFebruary 5, 2016<br />
<br />
Councillor Aidan Johnson,<br />
City of Hamilton<br />
<br />
<br />
Dear Councillor Johnson,<br />
<br />
We are writing on behalf of Transportation for Liveable Communities (TLC) to request improvements to major bike routes in west Hamilton/Ward One. While our requests are straightforward, we will be happy to meet with you and city staff to discuss them if necessary.<br />
<br />
There has been a noticeable increase in cycling in the city in general and in west Hamilton in particular. This increase has been further boosted thanks to the successful launch of SOBI.<br />
<br />
The existing bike route system, while a dramatic enhancement over the network a decade ago, could benefit from relatively low-cost improvements, which require perhaps mostly leadership.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qlomkBW7hxpUM2vKADI8_yEVzfdzyh8oXf6x03U5e635F3i7lc3S1zo3oGifQGJ_hih-Aatw49pm6dtw_h7nlJhg8S5nk-e_9HsAIfBdWzajXv_t39r9TfEw6Fq71PhPP3s-/s1600/IMG_20140807_161245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qlomkBW7hxpUM2vKADI8_yEVzfdzyh8oXf6x03U5e635F3i7lc3S1zo3oGifQGJ_hih-Aatw49pm6dtw_h7nlJhg8S5nk-e_9HsAIfBdWzajXv_t39r9TfEw6Fq71PhPP3s-/s320/IMG_20140807_161245.jpg" width="240" /></a>While the city produces excellent and regularly updated maps and provides information online, a visitor to town who hops on a SOBI bike, for example, would benefit from clear road signage and markings. Similarly, driver – cyclist interactions will be more positive if clear signage and road markings inform drivers where cyclists may travel and where they have the right of way.<br />
<br />
Our examples below reflect our own experience, but we think that a global modernization of driver/cyclist communication done with visitors and occasional cyclists in mind, will make bike travel safer and more pleasant for both drivers and cyclists. This will help achieving a major city goal of increasing bike travel.<br />
<br />
1. The rail trail south of Main Street is a major entry point into McMaster. Currently, cyclists traveling north from the rail trail on Emerson St towards McMaster face ambiguous and dangerous crossing of Main St. W. and entry into McMaster. This can be significantly improved by providing a bike box at Emerson south of Main and a green path on the road indicating the proper route for left turning into McMaster. Similar markings can improve the southbound bike traffic as well. An even better solution for southbound travel will be dedicating the middle of the 3 lanes for southbound traffic while having each of the other lanes for right and left turning vehicles. Green boxes and markings have been used recently in Hamilton and, of course, have been used successfully for decades in other cities.<br />
<br />
2. One of the busiest bike routes in Hamilton is the Hamilton/Brantford rail trail from McMaster area towards Dundurn St and then downtown. We have heard from many new cyclists that they find it hard to follow the bike route. The problem is typically around Studholme Street for eastbound travellers. Westbound travellers get lost in a variety of spots around Dundurn St.<br />
<br />
3. Another well-travelled bike route leads from McMaster via Westdale towards downtown. We think that the whole section from west of the 403 to downtown would benefit from a substantial improvement in prominent signage and road markings.<br />
<br />
4. Another minor issue may fall between the jurisdiction of McMaster and the city: there is a dangerous blind spot at the busy crossing of the Cootes path and the southbound exit from McMaster’s west campus, where most vehicles park (exit from Westaway Rd.). Currently, drivers accelerating into Cootes Dr. and cyclists biking down the hill cannot see each other until they are too close to each other. This safety issue can be readily resolved by regular trimming of the trees just southwest of that point.<br />
<br />
As noted above, we will be happy to meet with you to discuss these and other pertinent sustainable transportation issues.<br />
<br />
We look forward to hearing from you,<br />
<br />
Randy Kay and Reuven Dukas for TLC<br />
<br />
<br />
CC Mr. Daryl Bender<br />
<br />
Web: <a href="http://tlchamilton.blogspot.ca/">tlchamilton.blogspot.ca</a><br />
Twitter: @tlchamont<br />
Email: tlchamilton@gmail.comRandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094473740572791152noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36812845.post-8833279651732048422015-12-21T21:33:00.000-05:002015-12-21T21:33:02.997-05:00News: Hamilton Spectator: Driver Charged in pedestrian fatality on York Blvd<h1 class="printable-title" style="background-color: white; border: none; font-family: Domine, serif; font-size: 25px; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">
Driver charged in fatal pedestrian crash on Hamilton's York Blvd.</h1>
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A 22-year-old Hamilton man is facing a careless driving charge in relation to a fatal collision that killed a 62-year-old pedestrian last month.</div>
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The man was crossing in front of 221 York Blvd. around 4 p.m. Nov. 23 when he was hit by a car leaving the parking lot, police said.</div>
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He <a href="http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6141890-pedestrian-hit-on-york-boulevard-dies-of-injuries/" style="border: none; color: #0b4491; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">died of his injuries</a> a week later in hospital.</div>
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The 22-year-old driver remained at the scene and speed and alcohol were ruled out as factors.</div>
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After a nearly month-long investigation by the collision reconstruction unit the driver is now charged with careless driving under the Highway Traffic Act.</div>
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Police have not released the victim's identity.</div>
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<span style="color: #5a5a5a; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">SOURCE: http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6202928-driver-charged-in-fatal-pedestrian-crash-on-hamilton-s-york-blvd-/</span></span></div>
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Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094473740572791152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36812845.post-76173903657786784902015-07-04T19:14:00.001-04:002015-07-04T19:14:17.808-04:00Going for a coffee at The Cannon using the Cannon Street Bicycle Track<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5nEmTErcMrY" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A quick bike trip from Hess to Ottawa Street on the Cannon Bicycle Track. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Counted: 19 cyclists (including 2 <a href="https://hamilton.socialbicycles.com/">SOBI bikes</a>) and one scooter in a ~20 minute interval. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Finished with a great coffee and cake at <a href="https://plus.google.com/112384761321843108706/posts?gl=ca&hl=en">The Cannon Cafe</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Great bit of cycling infrastructure, well done!</div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094473740572791152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36812845.post-54705308533158733082015-05-16T12:18:00.000-04:002015-05-16T12:25:43.933-04:00The future of parking at McMaster University: audio from CFMU 93.3fm<iframe frameborder="no" height="450" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/196842206&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe>TLC initiated a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) plan for McMaster University, with the McMaster Institute on Transportation and Logistics taking on the TDM planning with support from McMaster administration.<br />
<br />
On the campus radio show Morningfile on 93.3 CFMU, Terry Sullivan of McMaster parking, and Mathias Sweet of MITL talk about the process.Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094473740572791152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36812845.post-21900070084010868992015-03-23T15:52:00.000-04:002015-03-23T15:52:25.782-04:00McMaster Community Campus Commute Survey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIQII7afiwSI1Cya_BI_pNAo7udBOV5vP-8sEuMdt8NRLjHN-JPpr333lamMUgeOsj3XLY0ub-sjaRdUGEBd3GXImOGwFmk3Cbb7WzVvDHyniOLPXZP7TiN-8yLmM9YsYno5H/s1600/Survey_Flyer_landscapes_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIQII7afiwSI1Cya_BI_pNAo7udBOV5vP-8sEuMdt8NRLjHN-JPpr333lamMUgeOsj3XLY0ub-sjaRdUGEBd3GXImOGwFmk3Cbb7WzVvDHyniOLPXZP7TiN-8yLmM9YsYno5H/s1600/Survey_Flyer_landscapes_1.png" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094473740572791152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36812845.post-22210177321688212812015-01-08T17:14:00.003-05:002015-01-08T17:16:32.532-05:00McMaster: tell us about your commute!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglisQl56wWCUvMFEw8sMwu2WC7h9tWPm0N4UG4hakWpa_V-hlNoDMYJEN2GrHq6zrVRLmXtpmQPJVZT_a0SpK598QA1bsulI2kPfLl0PWTfsvZXnc1GwSmgZidSpmPCW6u2tgs/s1600/January20_flyer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglisQl56wWCUvMFEw8sMwu2WC7h9tWPm0N4UG4hakWpa_V-hlNoDMYJEN2GrHq6zrVRLmXtpmQPJVZT_a0SpK598QA1bsulI2kPfLl0PWTfsvZXnc1GwSmgZidSpmPCW6u2tgs/s1600/January20_flyer.png" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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This event is a very exciting step in the direction of developing a TDM for McMaster (Transportation Demand Management plan) that <a href="http://tlchamilton.blogspot.ca/2012/12/tdm-mcmaster.html">initiated with TLC</a> just over two years ago.<br />
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Lots happened behind the scenes to bring us to this point. Please participate and help McMaster manage transportation for the future so as to make efficient use of non-automotive modes like cycling, bike share, walking, car-pooling, and car sharing.<br />
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Reducing parking demand at McMaster opens up space for alternative uses: see <a href="http://restorecootes.blogspot.ca/2014/07/coming-back-to-life-coldspring-valley.html">Restore Cootes</a> for a great example.Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094473740572791152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36812845.post-3963928181182821142014-05-24T21:20:00.000-04:002014-05-24T21:20:07.489-04:00Wholly Mary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOgFzWnVlx5NZAnYCk1VI5M2nNwX-iqUs9K6vXm250ueJLU2ut3oWeW5OsSeSfCWcdXOxD1G7Dc64GPk1nH6vWamddO0S2MHxbmILmrV9jop2DVyNe8LP9GfG6B3UfJbuJDFG/s1600/Poster+v2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOgFzWnVlx5NZAnYCk1VI5M2nNwX-iqUs9K6vXm250ueJLU2ut3oWeW5OsSeSfCWcdXOxD1G7Dc64GPk1nH6vWamddO0S2MHxbmILmrV9jop2DVyNe8LP9GfG6B3UfJbuJDFG/s1600/Poster+v2.png" height="640" width="494" /></a></div>
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When TLC started as an all volunteer citizen activist group, we always desired to see support for alternatives to Single Occupancy Vehicle use more widely spread, and this is a perfect example of that impetus.Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094473740572791152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36812845.post-60167298629136519632014-05-20T18:37:00.001-04:002014-05-20T18:37:22.525-04:00SoBi It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bX9nSvyBUT3_MKctERfdjC7GzSVxgEqCsu0_o9eSYX4WS41fQsHdiM3nWyela56Zt-2PUAfAoIjBCOWvOI0fDCRq2zpHOfZimDIwRztd5eA_CXjWHFmps7LLSStxE1ovbEMr/s1600/city.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bX9nSvyBUT3_MKctERfdjC7GzSVxgEqCsu0_o9eSYX4WS41fQsHdiM3nWyela56Zt-2PUAfAoIjBCOWvOI0fDCRq2zpHOfZimDIwRztd5eA_CXjWHFmps7LLSStxE1ovbEMr/s1600/city.png" height="110" width="400" /></a></div>
Hamilton's public bike share system is launching this July with 750 bicycles and over 100 stations! Please <a href="http://bit.ly/sobiha-list">sign up for the SoBi Hamilton email list</a> in order to receive occasional updates, including announcements, deals, promotions, and system updates. Eager to ride? <a href="http://bit.ly/sobiha-founder">Founding Memberships are available now</a>, with great perks to show our thanks. Regular memberships will be available to the general public on May 26th.<br /><br /><br />Subscribe to the mailing list: <a href="http://bit.ly/sobiha-list">http://bit.ly/sobiha-list</a><br />Purchase a Founding Membership: <a href="http://bit.ly/sobiha-founder">http://bit.ly/sobiha-founder</a><br /><br />More information: <a href="http://sobihamilton.ca/">http://sobihamilton.ca/</a>Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094473740572791152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36812845.post-12484480856727181002013-12-20T22:46:00.003-05:002013-12-20T22:46:55.767-05:00walk review<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Notice of Project Completion for the Pedestrian Mobility Plan<u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Review period ends <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_445572569" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">January 18</span></span><u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The City of Hamilton has completed the following study and related policy reports:<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pedestrian Mobility Plan<u></u><u></u></span></li>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Traffic Calming Policy<u></u><u></u></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Pedestrian Mobility Plan (PMP) addresses pedestrian planning and design across the City of Hamilton for citizens with varying mobility abilities and needs. This plan documents the recommended implementation approach that the City will apply to projects in the future.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The studies noted above will be available for public and agency review for a review<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">period starting from <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_445572570" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">December 5, 2013 to January 18, 2014</span></span>.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The reports will be available for review at 77 James Street North, Suite 400 as well as at the following locations:<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Westdale Library<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">955 King Street West<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="tel:905-546-3456" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+19055463456" wotsearchprocessed="true">905-546-3456</a><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Central Library<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">55 York Boulevard<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="tel:905-546-3200" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+19055463200" wotsearchprocessed="true">905-546-3200</a><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Information about the Pedestrian Mobility Plan, the Traffic Calming Policy and the Pedestrian Signal Program is available at <a href="http://www.hamilton.ca/PedestrianMP" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" wotsearchprocessed="true">http://www.hamilton.ca/<wbr></wbr>PedestrianMP</a></span></div>
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Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094473740572791152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36812845.post-88741762347148332222013-07-07T23:13:00.002-04:002013-07-07T23:13:44.085-04:00Lost on Longwood?<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Councillor Brian McHattie, </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">RE: Longwood Road Environmental Project Report Notice of Project Completion</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Dear Councillor McHattie,</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I am writing on behalf of Transportation for Liveable Communities (TLC) to voice our extreme dissatisfaction with the notice of completion for the Longwood Road environmental project report.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The City of Hamilton has a unique opportunity to seize on McMaster University’s expansion into Longwood Road and the potential to attract numerous young professionals who can further invigorate the Kirkendall neighborhood. Such young professional have made it loud and clear that they seek to live and work in lively communities where they can walk and bike.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Despite the assertion in the city report, there are no solid MTO plans in the near future that involve widening highway 403, according to the MTO’s “Southern Highways Program 2012 to 2016.” Planning for such a project would not even begin until after 2016. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Disappointedly, the city’s plan for Longwood Road uses future highway widening as reason to create a people-hostile 5-lane highway on Longwood, with inappropriate accommodation of pedestrian and cyclists. Moreover, the plan effectively is to do nothing in the foreseeable future despite latent demand which requires immediate accommodation of safe pedestrian and cyclist routes. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Our vision for Longwood Road is simple, sensible and feasible: wide sidewalks and bike lanes on both sides of the road, from its start at Princess Point in the north to its terminus at similar people-friendly facilities on Aberdeen Ave. Only such a plan would accommodate the people who wish to live and work in Kirkendall and the McMaster Innovation Park. In our vision, we could readily travel by foot and bike between the Innovation Park and neighborhood destinations at all directions, including Westdale and McMaster University.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We find it absurd that, even though the motivation for the Longwood Road environmental project was “a need for enhanced pedestrian and bicycle access and improved safety along the existing corridor” (quotation taken from the project Problem and Opportunity Statement), it has resulted in a backward conclusion reflecting mid-Twentieth Century car-centric thinking that fails to adequately address the Problem and Opportunity statement.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Giving that the notice of completion makes it clear that we have been blocked from appealing with a part II order, TLC intends to take other available democratic actions to advance the local cause of sustainable transportation. Such actions will include wide broadcasting of the fact that plans for the major transportation corridor to the McMaster Innovation Park are anything but innovative. We hope to find allies in the McMaster community including McMaster Innovation Park so that the best interests of this new facility are served by a multi-modal transportation network.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Sincerely yours,</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Randy Kay</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">CC </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Dr. Patrick Deane, President, McMaster University</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Mr. Zach Douglas, President and CEO, McMaster Innovation Park</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>TLC is a citizen-powered advocacy group formed in 2000 that seeks to improve conditions and infrastructure that supports and actively encourages healthy and sustainable transportation modes, including walking, transit, cycling and car pooling.</i></span></div>
Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094473740572791152noreply@blogger.com0