Rapid Transit

Tuesday December 6, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Tuesday December 6, 2016 New push to add LRT stop at Bay Street A late plea for a Bay Street LRT stop is one of several requested route changes project planners will chew on before spitting out a final design next spring. The city's light rail transit stakeholder committee will formally receive a letter from the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce Nov. 29 asking for a Bay Street stop on the east-west leg of the planned $1-billion LRT line. "It is not a stretch to assume that the Bay Street Station would immediately become the second-busiest station between the two end nodes of the B-line," reads the letter signed by representatives from large downtown players such as McMaster University, the art gallery, Carmen's Group and Vrancor. The city and project lead Metrolinx need to submit an updated environmental assessment Ñ including a finalized route Ñ to the province for approval next spring. But there is still time to consider "reasonable" change requests based on public feedback, said city LRT point person Paul Johnson. "We are looking at a number of requests now, things like pedestrian crossings, intersection changes and yes, stop locations," he said. "Just don't ask us to move the whole thing to Main Street. No, we are not going to look at that.Ó Johnson said public suggestions to date have already resulted in a relocated stop to the border of the International Village. Planners are also revisiting the possibility of a Gage Avenue stop based on a "surprisingly strong" reaction from the public. Similarly, businesses in the International Village have convinced planners to scope out an additional pedestrian crossing along that section of the King Street line. Other merchants have helped tweak partial intersection and street closures. Johnson wouldn't comment on the likelihood of Bay Street being adopted as a new stop, but noted there are some challenges to adding any new stop. It costs "a few million doll

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday December 6, 2016

New push to add LRT stop at Bay Street

A late plea for a Bay Street LRT stop is one of several requested route changes project planners will chew on before spitting out a final design next spring.

The city’s light rail transit stakeholder committee will formally receive a letter from the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce Nov. 29 asking for a Bay Street stop on the east-west leg of the planned $1-billion LRT line.

“It is not a stretch to assume that the Bay Street Station would immediately become the second-busiest station between the two end nodes of the B-line,” reads the letter signed by representatives from large downtown players such as McMaster University, the art gallery, Carmen’s Group and Vrancor.

The city and project lead Metrolinx need to submit an updated environmental assessment — including a finalized route — to the province for approval next spring. But there is still time to consider “reasonable” change requests based on public feedback, said city LRT point person Paul Johnson.

“We are looking at a number of requests now, things like pedestrian crossings, intersection changes and yes, stop locations,” he said. “Just don’t ask us to move the whole thing to Main Street. No, we are not going to look at that.”

Johnson said public suggestions to date have already resulted in a relocated stop to the border of the International Village. Planners are also revisiting the possibility of a Gage Avenue stop based on a “surprisingly strong” reaction from the public.

Similarly, businesses in the International Village have convinced planners to scope out an additional pedestrian crossing along that section of the King Street line. Other merchants have helped tweak partial intersection and street closures.

Johnson wouldn’t comment on the likelihood of Bay Street being adopted as a new stop, but noted there are some challenges to adding any new stop.

It costs “a few million dollars” to add a platform and amenities along a typical LRT line, he said. But he added potential intersection changes and land purchases can inflate the “real cost” dramatically.

The light rail transit line is also meant to be an express service, with an average distance between stops of about 800 metres. Project planners are aiming for peak period wait times of six minutes.

Stops at Queen Street, Bay and James would represent some of the shortest distances between platforms along the route, Johnson said, in some cases under 400 metres.(Source: Hamilton Spectator)

 

Wednesday July 27, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Wednesday July 27, 2016 LRT report not about Ôus-and-themÕ says Whitehead A Mountain councillor says a report his office authored to challenge Hamilton's plan for a $1-billion light rail line in the lower city is meant to offer "sober second thought" as the project moves forward. "What is the best net benefit to the community at large?" Coun. Terry Whitehead told The Spectator's editorial board Monday. But just hours after Whitehead released his report, Christopher Higgins, one of its key sources, released viaÊTwitterÊscathing feedback of the Ward 8 councillor's 58-page effort. Higgins publicized an annotated version of Whitehead's report early Monday, discrediting it for using study material "cherry-picked for maximum effect rather than to present a balanced analysis." That, Whitehead said, was "unprofessional." "Who does a peer review on Twitter for all to see?" Whitehead said he and assistant Howard Rabb, who co-authored the report, had asked for Higgins' feedback before publication, but that the researcher said he was pressed for time and heading to China. Higgins, a post-doctoral researcher at McMaster University's Institute for Transportation and Logistics, said a "role for MITL as peer reviewer was mentioned, but never acted upon." Whitehead rejected the report lacks context, saying links to PDFs of full studies it cites are just a click away on its host microsite.Ê The work isn't meant to be scientific, but an attempt to find answers, he added: "I'm not doing a scientific study, let's be clear." During the editorial board meeting, Whitehead said the report isn't about ward politics, either. "This is not an us-and-them thing, as much as people want to pigeonhole me on that." Rather, theÊreportÊÑ which questions projections for ridership, land values, development spinoff and system efficiency Ñ is meant to foster a more "fulsome" take on the project. Whitehead argues staff has presente

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday July 27, 2016

LRT report not about ‘us-and-them’ says Whitehead

A Mountain councillor says a report his office authored to challenge Hamilton’s plan for a $1-billion light rail line in the lower city is meant to offer “sober second thought” as the project moves forward.

May 27, 2016

May 27, 2016

“What is the best net benefit to the community at large?” Coun. Terry Whitehead told The Spectator’s editorial board Monday.

But just hours after Whitehead released his report, Christopher Higgins, one of its key sources, released via Twitter scathing feedback of the Ward 8 councillor’s 58-page effort.

Higgins publicized an annotated version of Whitehead’s report early Monday, discrediting it for using study material “cherry-picked for maximum effect rather than to present a balanced analysis.”

That, Whitehead said, was “unprofessional.”

“Who does a peer review on Twitter for all to see?”

The LRT waiting game gallery

The LRT waiting game gallery

Whitehead said he and assistant Howard Rabb, who co-authored the report, had asked for Higgins’ feedback before publication, but that the researcher said he was pressed for time and heading to China.

Higgins, a post-doctoral researcher at McMaster University’s Institute for Transportation and Logistics, said a “role for MITL as peer reviewer was mentioned, but never acted upon.”

Whitehead rejected the report lacks context, saying links to PDFs of full studies it cites are just a click away on its host microsite.

The work isn’t meant to be scientific, but an attempt to find answers, he added: “I’m not doing a scientific study, let’s be clear.”

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Hamilton, city, council, gong, show, Fred Eisenberger, Terry Whitehead, Jason Farr, speech, politics Mayor Fred wants council to cork it (By Andrew Dreschel) "If you can't say it in five minutes, then you really can't say it." That's Fred Eisenberger's guiding philosophy for speaking during city meetings and, for the sake of productivity, he'd like the rest of council to follow suit. The mayor thinks too much time is being wasted with long-winded repetitive comments that don't advance the discussion or the agenda. "Let's do what we're advocating our staff to do Ñ be efficient and get the job done in a cost effective, crisp way. "Be precise, be clear, get to the point, and let's move on." Eisenberger first raised his paean to pithiness during the tail end of a wordy two-hour discussion over a road issue that council won't even vote on until late 2016 or early 2017. Judging by the reaction of some of his colleagues, it may be his most popular idea to date. "I agree with Fred. There a point where you just don't keep talking," said Robert Pasuta. Pasuta tends to be the strong and silent type, but when he does speak it's short and to the point. "I think it's more important to make your point than just go on and on because the context of what you want to say gets lost in all the BS." Doug Conley, another who tends to save his breath, also agrees there should be more lip-zipping. "It would cut down our meetings by half an hour to an hour." Conley doesn't want a speaker to be shut down right at five minutes, but he or she should be urged by the chair to wrap it up at that mark. The problem, Conley says, is four or five councillors often end up saying the same thing rather than acknowledging their points have been covered by others. According to the procedural bylaw, councillors can ask unlimited questions about a presentation or motion. But they can't comment on a subject for longer than five

December 8, 2015

During the editorial board meeting, Whitehead said the report isn’t about ward politics, either.

“This is not an us-and-them thing, as much as people want to pigeonhole me on that.”

Rather, the report — which questions projections for ridership, land values, development spinoff and system efficiency — is meant to foster a more “fulsome” take on the project.

Whitehead argues staff has presented “glowing accounts” of LRT success stories but not lacklustre performances in other major centres.

Those information gaps are not the product of “skulduggery,” Whitehead said, but he is concerned the LRT plan is becoming a “legacy issue” for some. “Decisions are often made in political time frames.” (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

 

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Saturday, July 26, 2014By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday, July 26, 2014

Province not ready to commit to $811-million Hamilton LRT

The province isn’t ready to commit to an $811 million LRT line in Hamilton and there’s no timeline for a decision.

Ontario’s new Transportation Minister, Steven Del Duca, emerged from a controversial private meeting at the city Friday to repeat the Liberal government’s commitment to paying 100 per cent of capital costs for a new “rapid transit” project in Hamilton.

But he couldn’t say what that project will be, when the city will get an answer or define what is covered by “capital construction costs.”

“It may very well be LRT,” he said in response to persistent questioning after the meeting with Mayor Bob Bratina, city manager Chris Murray and four other councillors.

But he said he wasn’t in a position to “make an announcement” Friday, although he added he was clear the city’s official request is for a light rail line, despite recent public musings of some councillors on the idea of a bus rapid transit alternative.

Del Duca also acknowledged the city needs an answer on what will be covered by provincial capital funding, for example expropriation and other land costs. He said he would consult with provincial officials and Metrolinx and get back to the city on the “interesting” question.

Councillors had varying reactions to the meeting.

Mayoral aspirant Brian McHattie said he was “blown out of the water” by the “positive” meeting, adding he was relieved the minister was not confused by mixed messages coming from individual local politicians.

Councillor Brad Clark, also a mayoral candidate, said he didn’t hear “very much new information” from the minister, but appreciated the chance for a direct conversation.

Clark said it was made clear Hamilton has more work to do, to make its case for a rapid transit project, but added the specifics will come from Metrolinx and senior provincial staff in the coming weeks or months.

McHattie, by contrast, said the minister praised the work already competed by Hamilton and seemed to think “we’ve done enough” to take the next step. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

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Thursday, December 5, 2013

Thursday, December 5, 2013Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday, December 5, 2013

Not too late for city to learn from its planning mistakes

For SaleHamilton has made “classic mistakes” it has to reverse if it wants to be a great city, Toronto’s chief planner told a large crowd Tuesday night.

Sprawl, streets built for cars, “an inconceivable amount” of torn down heritage stock are some of the “hard truths” for Hamilton laid out by Jennifer Keesmaat.

“You’ve made the classic mistakes. You are a product of your time. I call them classic mistakes because other cities made them, too. But you’ve paid dearly for them.”

She said Hamilton has built a downtown that is a “great place to drive through but not a great place to be.”

Keesmaat, who took Toronto’s top planning post 14 months ago, said there are no great cities in the world that are easy to drive through.

Streets have to accommodate all modes of transportation, neighbourhoods have to bring all uses together and cities have to find ways to drive density to its core, she said.

Keesmaat is a Hamilton native and shared her memories of growing up on the west Mountain, taking the HSR and hefting her bike up the escarpment steps.

Keesmaat was speaking at the first Ambitious City event, hosted by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.

Keanin Loomis, chamber CEO, says it’s time Hamilton reclaim the Ambitious City title, a moniker slapped on the city in derision by a Toronto newspaper in 1847.

Robert Smiley, The Spectator’s first editor, urged the city to proudly adopt the title.

“It’s time to take back the name and own it again,” Loomis told a large crowd in the LIUNA Station ballroom.

“Ambition is returning to the city.”

Keesmaat says Hamilton has a “great opportunity” to fix past mistakes with bike lanes, rapid transit, wider sidewalks, green spaces, adding density and including a wide variety of people in envisioning the city’s future.

She said urban experts have long been fascinated with Hamilton because it has all the ingredients for success in its downtown but hasn’t achieved expected growth.

Development incentives, two-street conversions and a growing arts scene are all pluses but haven’t achieved the animation of a great downtown because sprawl is still happening, she said.

“You can’t pull uses outward and still build activity downtown,” she said.
“It’s not about what is happening downtown but what is happening at the edges.” (Source: The Hamilton Spectator)

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