City looks to accelerate two-way conversion of Hamilton’s Main Street

The City of Hamilton is looking to accelerate the construction and conversion of Main Street to two-way traffic with new recommendations proposed by staff Tuesday.

Work to convert Hamilton’s Main Street into two-way traffic could arrive sooner than initially expected after councillors approved to outsource the design phase and aim to cut more than a year off of construction.

“Are shovels going into the ground at the end of this year? Could you clarify that through the Chair, councilor Wilson?” asked councilor Tom Jackson.

“At present, we think we can achieve a 2025 construction start.” responded Public Works’ Director of Engineering, Jackie Kennedy.

At a public works meeting on Tuesday, council members unanimously approved to negotiate with engineering giant WSP Canada to complete the design.

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“And through a lot of the work that was done behind the scenes, it’s been determined that its schedule could be compressed by 17 months, which would enable the conversion to be completed in late 2027, or early 2028,” Director of Transportation Operations Mike Field told the council.

City Hall is looking to convert Main Street from a one-way artery to two-way from Dundurn in the west to the Delta at Gage Park.

Between the Delta cut and Sherman Avenue, designs show two eastbound lanes and a solo westbound passage with on-street parking.

Bike lanes are considered up until Victoria Avenue and drivers heading west can expect some left turn options as they approach downtown.

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“The bridge that crosses over Main Street is four lanes so we have to receive four lanes worth of traffic to the west-end. But, I may mention that the LRT re-alignment is going to change that end is going to change the roadway and we don’t know what the lane configuration, the three lane configuration, is going to be yet.” explained Field.

Questions were asked about why plans depict only one westbound lane, mainly in the downtown core.

City Hall says it’s unclear when LRT construction will start but both projects are expected to cross paths, meaning traffic will be a challenge during construction.

City staff says the total cost of the conversion is slated for approximately $26.5-million.

The approval to accelerate the project will now move forward to a ratification vote at next Wednesday’s council meeting.