Traffic management update re: Grindstone Creek bridge project
Thursday’s traffic nightmare posed serious risk to public safety, not simply to motorists, but to our children and seniors, as well as all pedestrians and cyclists. Further, I feel it was a total disrespect for residents and motorists that traffic control was not in place, as it was scheduled to be.
To begin, the contractor was responsible for coordinating a multi-day traffic management implementation plan, by liaising with Hamilton Police Service (HPS) and/or deploying a flag person, in order to more safely and appropriately help with traffic navigation both this week and next. This was not done and clearly led to major issues at the time the bridge was reduced to one lane. My thanks to HPS for having to unexpectedly, but quickly redeploy officers to assist with traffic control, given the large problem that occurred on Thursday morning. With their help, the issue was largely mitigated by mid-day Thursday.
I have personally spoken with Sgt. Allchin as well as other members of HPS, about the ongoing need for not only traffic control support, but also proactive enforcement of the 12-hour windows for travel direction, and the detour of the City’s official Truck Route off of Dundas, between Avonsyde and Hamilton St. In addition, HPS and City planning officials are communicating about any supplementary need for HPS involvement, which could include paid duty officers on site.
The lack of basic traffic control implementation was only part of the Thursday’s problem. In addition, compounding the matter was the failure of the light on Mill St. to correctly switch to green, thus not permitting eastbound traffic (towards Burlington) from advancing correctly at the begging of the rush-hour period. This led to even greater confusion, forcing back-up into the community and surrounding streets. To his credit, Project Manager, Cory Peters was onsite quickly, and that issue was resolved by at approximately 9am Thursday morning. The issue has been corrected going forward.
Further, I continue to remind City staff and the project manager that signage for incoming motorists is insufficient. We need better, bigger, and more detailed signage at greater distances from the bridge, to help detour and lessen traffic. I have commitments from the City’s Construction Division (who oversee the bridge project) that additional signage is forthcoming.
For any ongoing concerns on site, please feel free to report incidents directly to the project manager Cory Peters via Cory.Peters@hamilton.ca and feel free to copy Ted.McMeekin@hamilton.ca. Ongoing updates about the project will be shared here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/62721f325c2c4f29acabb2ddca562918
At any time, residents can report traffic violations or illegal truck activity to the HPS non-emergency line at 905-546-4925 or use this online Truck Route Violation reporting tool: http://survey123.arcgis.com/share/fbb1c834a45f4e3b958a451cb7bdf7db
As a general reminder, Waterdown is open for business. Many local proprietors will have their business operations impacted by the bridge work. If you are able, please support our local business community with your purchasing power through the duration of the bridge construction work. Waterdown Village businesses remain open and ready to serve you throughout the project.
