Transportation

Aberdeen/Kent Crosswalk Almost Finished

By Ryan McGreal
Published September 04, 2012

I was hoping the new crosswalk at Aberdeen Avenue and Kent Street would be complete in time for school to resume, but despite steady activity over the summer to install curb cuts and mount traffic lights on poles, the crosswalk has not yet been activated.

Earlier this summer, city workers installed poles and lights at the corner of Aberdeen and Kent (RTH file photo)
Earlier this summer, city workers installed poles and lights at the corner of Aberdeen and Kent (RTH file photo)

I just received the following update from city staff on the status of the project:

The tasks remaining are to obtain an electrical inspection by the Electrical Safety Authority then once the inspection is passed, an electrical connection from Horizon Utilities. These are not done by City staff so we cannot guarantee a turn on date. I just spoke with the signal foreman and he estimates it could be 2 weeks but possibly less. That is not a commitment, just an estimate.

At least the old sign instructing pedestrians to walk 400 metres out of their way is finally gone:

Sign: 'Pedestrians Please Cross at Locke or Queen' (RTH file photo)
Sign: 'Pedestrians Please Cross at Locke or Queen' (RTH file photo)

Ryan McGreal, the editor of Raise the Hammer, lives in Hamilton with his family and works as a programmer, writer and consultant. Ryan volunteers with Hamilton Light Rail, a citizen group dedicated to bringing light rail transit to Hamilton. Ryan wrote a city affairs column in Hamilton Magazine, and several of his articles have been published in the Hamilton Spectator. His articles have also been published in The Walrus, HuffPost and Behind the Numbers. He maintains a personal website, has been known to share passing thoughts on Twitter and Facebook, and posts the occasional cat photo on Instagram.

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By mrgrande (registered) | Posted September 04, 2012 at 10:13:06

Who did you contact to get that information? I'd love to know how much longer the lights at John & Augusta will hang unused...

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By Crier (anonymous) | Posted September 04, 2012 at 21:29:35

Meanwhile down the road in Corktown...
A four-way traffic signal sits installed at John and Augusta for the last month with no sign of being activated?

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By davidsfawcett (registered) - website | Posted September 05, 2012 at 11:20:53

There's a traffic light begin installed at Mohawk Rd. W. and Juanita. It'll be the only break for pedestrians between Garth and Upper Paradise. There's a long curve on Mohawk and it's hard to gauge the traffic flow in either direction depending on what side of the road you're starting from. The traffic, both ways, on Mohawk can be very heavy.

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By seancb (registered) - website | Posted September 05, 2012 at 14:10:14

I wish Hamilton would embrace the pedestrian activated crosswalks that Toronto has.

Advantages:

  • It's only activated when someone needs to cross, so motorists don't have to wait at unnecessary red lights
  • Once someone finishes crossing, cars can proceed - this means less delay for drivers if someone crosses quickly
  • When a pedestrian walks up, the crossing is activated immediately - pedestrians don't have to wait for a light cycle
  • Cheaper to install than a full traffic signal

Disadvantages:

  • Requires slightly more driver education.

This is great news that more pedestrian crossings are going in - but if we would accept this alternative design into our toolbox, we could have way more of them for much lower cost and less impact to drivers and pedestrians alike.

Comment edited by seancb on 2012-09-05 14:10:33

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By DowntownInHamilton (registered) | Posted September 06, 2012 at 07:28:17 in reply to Comment 80485

Probably the only thing I've ever agreed with you about. This works wonders, especially on one-way streets. When I lived in London (Ontario), there used to be a lot of these near the UWO campus which made it safer for us to cross the streets.

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By k (anonymous) | Posted September 12, 2012 at 13:14:08

Now open for business!!!!
Success

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