Special Report: Walkable Streets

Road Work Accommodates Driving, Not So Much Walking and Cycling

The City's drivers-first priority is even on display when reconstructing a sidewalk.

By Karl Andrus
Published October 06, 2017

Moving on foot, as I frequently do, I was headed back from a quick stop at the Farmer's Market and some clothing shopping with my partner at Jackson Square yesterday. Those who walk or cycle east from downtown know that outside the Cannon Cycle track, Main and King Street are among the ugliest walks south of Barton.

Even through the International Village you still contend with smog, high-density automobile traffic and angry drivers.

So I elected to walk down Young Street. It has east/west cycle lanes between Ferguson and Wellington, plus speed humps to reduce vehicle speeds, making it far better then alternative routes to my home in Stinson.

However, at Corktown Park I found the north-curb sidewalk blocked and the westbound cycle lane full of equipment and workers. There is no south-curb sidewalk.

Sidewalk closed on Young east of Ferguson
Sidewalk closed on Young east of Ferguson

Sidewalk closed on Young through rail underpass
Sidewalk closed on Young through rail underpass

Sidewalk closed on Young west of Wellington
Sidewalk closed on Young west of Wellington

I paused for a moment to ask the traffic controller on duty where he suggested I walk. He had no answer and apologized.

I asked other workers: where am I supposed to walk on the road? This was going on as I dodged cars and moved to the south side cycle lane.

I asked why, if traffic had to be limited to one lane anyway, more accommodation was not made for cyclists or walking.

A kind driver overheard my questions and I helpfully shouted a suggestion out of his window that I get a car.

In the end, I was forced to break the law and walk in the road.

There was a paid traffic controller to make sure automobile traffic could continue to flow in both directions. Some of the money for the needed reconstruction of the only sidewalk on this section of Young was paid to reduce the inconvenience to motorists.

An accommodation had even been made with an extra pylon-separated area for workers, presumably out of safety concerns, but nothing for cyclists or pedestrians.

In discussions around walking or cycling, I am often told that those who get around without a car are entitled moochers or otherwise a drain on society. Facts and experience suggest the opposite.

Karl Andrus has returned to his hometown of Hamilton after attending Brock University majoring in History. He is a proud son of journalist and local activist the late Kate Andrus. He lives in Stinson, loves the vibrant and growing city, is former Co-Chair of the Stinson Community Association, VP and of Community atthe Hamilton Community Benefits Network and is active in many local groups and initiatives.

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By KevinLove (registered) | Posted October 06, 2017 at 23:53:40

Once can easily contrast the disfunctional crap we put up with in Hamilton with how to do it right. See:

http://www.aviewfromthecyclepath.com/201...

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