Wentworth Street and Sanford Avenue Two Way Traffic Study (PW14
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CITY OF HAMILTON PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Transportation Division TO: Chair and Members Public Works Committee COMMITTEE DATE: August 14, 2014 SUBJECT/REPORT NO: Wentworth Street and Sanford Avenue Two-Way Traffic Study (PW14086) - (Ward 3) (Outstanding Business List Item) WARD(S) AFFECTED: Ward 3 PREPARED BY: Alan Kirkpatrick (905) 546-2424, Extension 4173 SUBMITTED BY: Dan McKinnon Acting General Manager Public Works Department SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION (a) That a proposed Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Study to investigate the two-way traffic conversion of Wentworth Street and Sanford Avenue, from Delaware Avenue to King Street, not be undertaken as an EA is not required for this purpose; (b) That consideration of the two-way traffic conversion of Wentworth Street and Sanford Avenue, from Delaware Avenue to King Street, be referred to the updated City-Wide Transportation Master Plan in 2014/2015; (c) That this item be identified as completed and removed from the Public Works Committee Outstanding Business List. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Staff was directed to undertake a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process to investigate the conversion of Wentworth Street and Sanford Avenue, from Delaware Avenue to King Street, to a two-way traffic operation, at an anticipated study cost of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000). Staff’s review of the Municipal Class EA process determined that the consideration of the conversion of a street from one-way to two-way traffic operation does not require an EA process be undertaken, provided no significant physical construction is required to complete the traffic operational conversion process. Committee and Council have been discussing the matter of one-way to two-way traffic operational conversions for a number of streets in the City and have directed staff to identify an implementation strategy for converting a number of one-way roads identified in the 2008 Downtown Transportation Master Plan (DTTMP) Update. A list of these OUR Vision: To be the best place in Canada to raise a child, promote innovation, engage citizens and provide diverse economic opportunities. OUR Mission: WE provide quality public service that contribute to a healthy, safe and prosperous community, in a sustainable manner. OUR Values: Accountability, Cost Consciousness, Equity, Excellence, Honesty, Innovation, Leadership, Respect and Teamwork SUBJECT: Wentworth Street and Sanford Avenue Two-Way Traffic Study (PW14086) - (Ward 3) - Page 2 of 9 roads is provided later in this report. Ten (10) roads have been converted and eight (8) other roads are to be completed. Council has directed staff to convert and redesign Rebecca Street, from John Street to Wellington Street to accommodate two-way traffic in 2014 utilizing funds from the Traffic Calming account. Council is also requesting a schedule of one-way to two-way traffic operational changes to the remaining seven (7) roads from the DTTMP, at a rate of approximately two (2) or more roads per year, subject to budget approval. Staff will include a Road Conversion Capital Budget Detailed Sheet in the 2015 - 2024 Budget to be reviewed during the Capital budget deliberation process. In addition, other one-way roads have been added to a List of Roads for Conversion Consideration. The proposed process to study these roads on the additional list will be undertaken through the updated City-Wide Transportation Master Plan (CWTMP) and reported back in 2015 with a proposed implementation and funding schedule. This process is recommended in order to examine a number of conversion possibilities and determine priorities, benefits, impacts and costs of converting one-way streets from a broader perspective rather than one-off selections, or isolated sections of a street within the length of a current one-way street. Both Wentworth Street and Sanford Avenue are on the List for Conversion Consideration and will be included in the CWTMP Update and will be reported to Committee during that process. Alternatives for Consideration - See Page 8 FINANCIAL - STAFFING - LEGAL IMPLICATIONS Financial: The suggested funding of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for a proposed EA review for Wentworth Street and Sanford Avenue is not required for this purpose. If staff is directed to implement traffic operational changes on Wentworth Street and Sanford Avenue, funding sources to implement the changes will be required as no funds have previously been established for this activity. Staffing: N/A Legal: N/A HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Staff was directed to investigate a review of one-way to two-way traffic operational changes on the following roads: Wentworth Street and Sanford Avenue a) That staff be directed to undertake a proper Environmental Assessment to investigate the conversion to two-way traffic of Wentworth Street and Sanford OUR Vision: To be the best place in Canada to raise a child, promote innovation, engage citizens and provide diverse economic opportunities. OUR Mission: WE provide quality public service that contribute to a healthy, safe and prosperous community, in a sustainable manner. OUR Values: Accountability, Cost Consciousness, Equity, Excellence, Honesty, Innovation, Leadership, Respect and Teamwork SUBJECT: Wentworth Street and Sanford Avenue Two-Way Traffic Study (PW14086) - (Ward 3) - Page 3 of 9 Avenue, from Delaware Avenue to King Street East, and report back with the results to the Public Works Committee; and b) That funding for the Environmental Assessment estimated in the amount of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) be derived from Specific Area Transportation MP Account #4030955369. Staff’s work program reflects that the City’s one-way traffic network be included in the CWTMP Update to determine which roads in the one-way street network could be converted to two-way traffic operation based on a broader review of the transportation network and priorities, benefits, impacts and costs. Funds for an EA of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) were identified to be used for the review of Wentworth Street and Sanford Avenue. Staff has determined that an EA process is not required, therefore, staff is recommending that the funds be reallocated for the implementation of the one-way to two-way conversion traffic operational conversions. The issue of one-way streets being converted to two-way traffic operations streets has been gaining momentum recently along with the concept of the City implementing a Complete Street design approach to City’s street network. A “Complete Street” is a road allowance designed to accommodate more than just automobiles. It can include other road uses such as transit and transit lanes, bus stop amenities, bicycles and bike lanes, pedestrian amenities including wider sidewalks, OADA requirements and streetscape features, taxi stops, parking, traffic calming features, etc. The challenge becomes how to accommodate and prioritize these needs. A Complete Street does not have to be a two-way street. The design concept can take several forms and does not necessarily reflect a “one-design-fits-all” outcome. The philosophy would suggest a street be designed and operated to balance, where possible, the competing needs of all road users, including safe access for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transportation users of all ages and abilities. The level of service for all modes of transportation is taken into consideration and one mode does not necessarily dominate another. The outcome hopefully results in a safer, more active environment and provides for a more livable local community. Increasing safety and walkability for transit users in particular has been highlighted as an important part of increasing transit ridership. As a whole, these policies have aimed at raising the profile of other modes relative to the automobile and the health, social, economic, and environmental benefits that can be attained through a more balanced approach to mobility. Following a Complete Streets Transportation Summit in 2012, interested citizens carried on with their own reviews, street audits and analysis of possible improvements to roads within their communities, including intersection and mid-block crossing facilities and one-way to two-way street traffic conversion options, including factors of: Traffic calming and enhanced walkability supporting a vibrant and livable local communities OUR Vision: To be the best place in Canada to raise a child, promote innovation, engage citizens and provide diverse economic opportunities. OUR Mission: WE provide quality public service that contribute to a healthy, safe and prosperous community, in a sustainable manner. OUR Values: Accountability, Cost Consciousness, Equity, Excellence, Honesty, Innovation, Leadership, Respect and Teamwork SUBJECT: Wentworth Street and Sanford Avenue Two-Way Traffic Study (PW14086) - (Ward 3) - Page 4 of 9 Impacts on retail/commercial areas and whether the conversion will be beneficial to them These issues will be carried forward for consideration to make sure any one-way to two- way traffic operation conversion projects are successful. Committee will recall Report PW14060, dated June 16, 2014, regarding Traffic issues on Sanford Avenue. The approved recommendation included: “That the existing 50km/h speed limit on Sanford Avenue South, between Delaware Avenue and Main Street, be reduced to 40 km/h”. This change and the associated by-law amendment have been implemented. In addition to the speed limit change, Traffic Services also arranged for the installation