Curb extensions added to Boulding Ave
Recently, the City of Hamilton installed curb extensions to three corners on Boulding Ave, including Laurendale, Fellows and Vance. These three intersections were identified in the Waterdown Community Node Transportation Management Plan research, as areas that would benefit from increased safety for both motorists and pedestrians.
The transportation management plan was developed in 2022, to address long-standing issues such as speeding, cut-through traffic, congestion, and gaps in pedestrian safety. As background to the matter, the City completed the provincially regulated Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process, which requires a detailed review of traffic conditions, evaluation of alternatives, and a transparent decision-making framework. The process also included public consultation, such as open houses and online engagement opportunities, giving residents the ability to provide feedback, share concerns, and helped shape the study.
Find the Waterdown Community Node Transportation Management Plan here
Ultimately, the curb extensions were selected through that analysis because Boulding Ave – a particularly wide street, experiences high vehicle speeds and cut-through movements. Speed bumps were considered in the study, but the analysis showed that intersection-based improvements addressed the safety issues more effectively for this area. They also avoid some challenges associated with speed bumps, like emergency-vehicle delays or noise impacts. Curb extensions are a well-established roadway-safety tool used across Canada. They narrow the roadway at key points, which naturally slows vehicle speeds, reduces wide or fast turns, shortens pedestrian crossing distances, and improves visibility between drivers and people walking. While they can feel inconvenient to drivers at first, that “driver friction” as it is know is intentional. Traffic planners use it to encourages slower, more attentive driving, which directly improves neighbourhood safety. Speed bumps were considered in the study, but the analysis showed that intersection-based improvements (bump-outs and stop control) addressed the safety issues more effectively for this area. They also avoid some challenges associated with speed bumps, like emergency-vehicle delays or noise impacts
The curb extensions have been designed in accordance with national standards, including the Transportation Association of Canada’s Geometric Design Guide for Canadian Roads and the Transportation Association of Canada’s Canadian Guide to Traffic Calming. Following these standards ensures the measures are safe, appropriate, and consistent with best practices used across the country.
While curb extensions may feel unfamiliar at first, they were selected because technical analysis, resident feedback, and the Environmental Assessment process all identified them as the most effective tools to improve safety on this corridor. Their purpose is to create a calmer, safer, and more predictable street environment for everyone using Boulding Avenue.
It goes without saying that any changes to the road network feel disruptive to the community. It often takes some time for motorists and pedestrians to adjust to features like curb extensions, but experience in other municipalities shows that once drivers become familiar with them, the overall street environment becomes noticeably calmer and safer. Investing in road safety is one of the most effective and responsible ways a municipality can reduce the risk of serious injuries or fatalities. Hamilton follows the principles of Vision Zero, which is the City’s commitment to eliminating people being seriously injured or killed in traffic collisions. Traffic-calming measures like curb extensions are proven to lower speeds, reduce collision severity, and create a safer and more predictable environment for pedestrians, children, cyclists, and drivers alike. The cost of prevention, through infrastructure that slows vehicles and improves visibility, is far lower than the human and financial cost of traffic collisions
Lastly, the City of Hamilton assumes winter maintenance needs as it implements new infrastructure. Managing snow and street cleaning is factored into the planning of the new intersections. The (acting) Director of Transportation has further ensured awareness of the new intersection designs to the Road Maintenance operations team and has reinforced that maintain safety and visibility is essential this winter. At any time, if snow piles build up or visibility becomes compromised, please contact 905-546-CITY and staff will address the matter.
