couldn't we just hire this guy and let him go to work?

Ian Lockwood shows that indeed, traffic planners can be successful without catering to cars. Mr. Lockwood spoke at a transportation summit in Hamilton a few years ago, with pretty much the same message. Despite all the proven examples of traffic calming, planners in Hamilton still think the "old way" and plan for cars ahead of pedestrians, cyclists and transit users. If you need evidence for this, take a look at the Downtown Dundas Transportation Master Plan: road widening, extra turning lanes for cars, and sometime later, improvements for walkers, cyclists, and maybe transit users.
See what Lockwood has done in West Palm Springs, and then see how little innovation we have here.

sanity is a two way street...

City shifts into drive on 2-way streets TheSpec.com - Local - City shifts into drive on 2-way streets

Nicole Macintyre, The Hamilton Spectator, (Aug 8, 2008)

The city is moving ahead with its original plan to convert several more downtown streets from one-way to two-way.

With council's sign-off, city staff will also review the conversions already done on the south legs of James and John streets to see if they can improve traffic flow.

The two arteries are a regular source of frustration for Mountain residents, who view the conversions as "failures," said Councillor Scott Duvall.

But downtown Councillor Bob Bratina urged his colleagues not to let issues with the two streets hold up an overall transportation plan he believes will help revive the downtown.

"I think we've wasted a lot of time getting to this point."

He noted Main Street, Hamilton's most prized one-way street with its string of green lights, will remain unchanged.

The city's downtown master plan was stalled last month when a group of councillors raised concerns about the necessity and expense of converting several downtown streets.

The plan calls for the conversion of York Boulevard and Wilson Street, Park and MacNab streets and King William, Rebecca and Hess streets. City staff believe the changes will help make the core more pedestrian friendly.

Plans for several downtown projects, including the new farmers' market and library, were put on hold until council reaffirmed the plan originally approved in 2001.

Councillor Terry Whitehead said he's still skeptical the changes will lead to economic spinoffs but agreed to endorse the plan.

"I'm going to support it cautiously," Whitehead said.

Councillors Chad Collins and David Mitchell remained in opposition to it.

"I honestly believe the investment could be better spent elsewhere," said Collins.

The conversions will mainly take place as part of larger construction project. In isolation, the seven conversions will cost roughly $1 million.

Councillors will still have an opportunity to decide how quickly the conversions occur each year during capital budget deliberations.

nmacintyre@thespec.com

905-526-3299

http://thespec.com/article/415100

the spec steps up

Balance key to city streets TheSpec.com - Opinions - Balance key to city streets

The Hamilton Spectator

(Aug 8, 2008)

A livable city is not just about the people who drive its streets: It is about the people who live beside the streets, who walk the sidewalks beside them, who shop or dine out in the businesses that line them.

Two-way streets help make Hamilton's downtown more livable, more welcoming, more people-friendly. Conversions of some of the core's one-way arteries to two-way streets has been worthwhile and generally successful. Council's decision to move ahead on two-way conversions on more downtown streets is the right one. But it must not be at the expense of maintaining the streets we do have now.

The conversion of James Street North from one-way to two-way is probably the most visibly successful of the conversions that have happened downtown. It hasn't been a cure-all; there are still far too many closed storefronts and other signs of decay -- particularly, it has to be said, the Lister Block and the ruin-like remains of the Tivoli Theatre -- along James North.

But the conversion sends a message the historic artery between downtown and bayfront has more to offer than a quick drive from Barton or Cannon streets to King or Main streets.

The conversion has to get at least some credit for the emergence of a small gallery district, the apparent increase in people spending money there and the small miracles of the Art Bus, the monthly Maker's Market and replica trolleys between Jackson Square and Pier 8.

Councillor Terry Whitehead, who opposed the next stage of two-way conversions, said: "For the constituents I represent, two-way streets are a complete waste of money."

That sort of parochial, ward-centric comment illustrates what cripples council initiatives. It's not surprising West Mountain constituents would prefer a fast route into or through downtown. What would be surprising is if they would like to see their main two-way streets -- say, Upper James, West 5th and Garth streets -- converted to one-way thoroughfares.

Whitehead makes a solid point about the need for city investment in road and watermain repairs. We've argued in this space recently existing roads all over Hamilton are in deplorable condition and council should make fixing them a higher priority than rearranging them. Reporter Rob Faulkner looked this week at the state of Hamilton's bicycle lanes, and there's no doubt continuing investment in repairing and expanding that network is essential.

Two-way conversions are a manifestation of new possibility for downtown -- a possibility of a revitalized core where more people want to live, shop, work, stroll, entertain themselves and do business.

Council's hardest task is to find a balance and compromise between the mundane essentials -- what it has to fix -- with investment in a vision of what Hamilton could be. Continuing the reinvention of downtown is a strong, strategic move.

http://thespec.com/Opinions/article/415043

downtown: no two ways about it?

TLC will be responding to this news item with a letter to council shortly, with a call to support staff on the need for one way to two way conversions downtown:

Downtown plans stall on road conversions
Nicole Macintyre, The Hamilton Spectator (Jul 11, 2008)

The plan to convert several downtown one-way streets to two-way is on hold.

Council threw out the city's downtown transportation master plan yesterday in a contentious split vote that sent staff scrambling. They reversed their decision moments later to allow more debate at a later meeting.

Several councillors say they don't want to kill the entire plan, which was approved in 2001, but can't agree to planned road conversions.

The plan calls for the conversion of York Boulevard and Wilson Street, Park and MacNab streets, Hughson and Hess streets, and King William and Rebecca streets.

Councillor Terry Whitehead said he doesn't support York Boulevard being converted as part of the renovation of the central library and the farmer's market.

The street must be replaced anyway to fix underground services, but the two-way conversion will cost upwards of an extra $750,000.

The planned streetscape may look nicer, but it won't generate new tax dollars, said Whitehead.

"We're making big investments and getting nothing in return."

But Councillor Bob Bratina argues businesses won't relocate to the street as long as it is a "freeway."

He noted if one-way streets are such a benefit, he'll request they be installed on the Mountain.

"Let's make Upper James one way."

He was outraged council originally shot down the entire plan, which would have stalled several downtown initiatives, including removing buses from Gore Park. Each street conversion was planned to generate economic and neighbourhood benefits, added Bratina.

"This is a carefully developed plan."

But councillors, who opposed the conversions, say they felt they had no option but to oppose the entire plan.

Councillor Brad Clark said more research and time is needed to determine if the conversions on John and James streets have been successful.


nmacintyre@thespec.com

no two ways about it? two-way is the way to go!

The City of Hamilton is reviewing their Downtown Transportation Master Plan and inviting your input. The study includes a pedestrianized Gore Park

As sustainable transportation advocates, TLC supports converting one-way streets to two-way, bike lanes, wider sidewalks with pedestrian amenities, and traffic calming in neighbourhoods to create more liveable communities in our reviving downtown core.

So visit the city site at www.hamilton.ca/DowntownTMP, read what they are proposing and add your comments.