New street to be narrowed to just two lanes of traffic plus a turning lane - bike lanes going in on each side.

News 100 redBy Staff

August 16, 216

BURLINGTON, ON

New Street, between Guelph Line and Walkers Line is going on a road diet reducing the road from four lanes to three, and adding buffered bike lanes.

“The one-year pilot allows the city to collect data and listen to feedback on whether the painted bike lanes result in a positive experience for people who want to ride their bicycles, while causing a minimal impact for drivers who also need to get where they are going in a timely manner,” said Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring. “Our new 25-year strategic plan identifies investing in convenient, affordable and green forms of transportation for everyone.”

New Street bike lanes - long pic

During a public information meeting the city provided pictures of the different options for they were considering for bike lanes on New Street – bike lanes will be put in on both sides.

New Street currently has two eastbound and two westbound lanes east of Guelph Line. During the one-year pilot road diet, it will have one eastbound and one westbound lane, a two-way left-turn lane and the two bike lanes. City staff will use the year to collect data that includes average speed, number of collisions and cycling usage.

Road marking removal will take place starting Aug. 22 to prepare the roads for lane-painting, which will begin on Aug. 26. The road is expected to be ready on Aug. 27.

“We want to see everyone share the road in Burlington, and ensure that we all get around safely and can enjoy the streets where we live and work,” said City Manager James Ridge.

City Council approved the New Street Road Diet pilot on July 18, 2016. At the same City Council meeting, the Share the Road Cycling Coalition recognized Burlington as a silver-level bicycle-friendly city, an increase from a previous bronze. There are 31 communities in Ontario that are bicycle-friendly, according to Share the Road.

The province’s Book 18: Ontario Traffic Manual defines a road diet as using spare roadway capacity, such as extra lanes, for other modes of travel, such as public transit or cycling. The hope is to encourage a shift in road use to reflect the changes.

“Burlington has put road diets in place in other city locations, including in downtown Burlington on Lakeshore Road and on portions of Guelph Line, Walkers Line and Appleby Line,” said Vito Tolone, director of Transportation. “Our findings are that the number of car crashes is reduced and that there is better interaction between pedestrians, cyclists and the street.”

Chris Ariens, Burlington Cycling Committee said: “New Street connects existing cycle lanes on Walkers Line and Guelph Line to shops, recreation facilities, schools and the Centennial Path. It is a key link in the cycling network in south Burlington. It is our hope that by introducing lanes separated from car traffic—by more than just a painted line—residents will feel safe and comfortable riding their bicycles for more of their daily trips. This pilot project should result in a street that is safer for pedestrians as well as cyclists and motorists.”

James Schofield, Burlington Cycling Committee added: “It’s exciting to see New Street being transformed into a complete street. This reconfiguration gives people more choices to move around Burlington, and makes the street safer for everyone, whether on foot, on a bike, on a bus, or in a car.”

The city did not provide any comment from those who drive New Street on a regular basis.

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7 comments to New street to be narrowed to just two lanes of traffic plus a turning lane – bike lanes going in on each side.

  • Stephen White

    Utterly incredible and unbelievable! At a time when this City faces major problems with transportation gridlock a major east-west thoroughfare gets cut to one lane in each direction. Get behind a school or city bus and your commute will be extended significantly.

    Shame on this Council for their lack of perspective, and shame on our Mayor for lacking the leadership and the guts to stand up to the bicycle lobby at City Hall who are intent on pursuing their agenda despite widespread community opposition. Kudos to Councillor Sharman for being the sole voice of reason, logic and common sense on this pathetic Council.

  • janet

    Wonderful- no more bikes in the car lanes! Now the bikes have more options finally- Burlington bike paths, Burlington sidewalks and the new bike lanes! Looking forward to improved snow removal and synchronized lights for bike safety. Next- running lanes? Shake your heads! Check out where the bike lanes are in Amsterdam
    please!

  • Jane

    What on earth are they thinking????? The congestion at rush hour will be crazy. We already can’t move in Burlington, they keep building and building. Would like to see the study plan for this. Lakeshore does not work either by the way. lived in Burlington my whole life, time to move.

  • Doug

    It is finally now official, this is a City being run by incompetent Councillors and staff. They should all hang there head in shame.

  • Brian Jones

    Unbelievable! A main corridor being reduced. I understand Burlington’s obsessiveness but to take a full lane divide in 2, well it is an attraction for cyclists to run 5 or 6 abreast. Afterall, they run 2 and 3+ currently.

  • Steve

    The tail is wagging the dog.