Transportation

Wilson to go Two-Way Between Ferguson and Victoria

By RTH Staff
Published June 28, 2011

Last December, York Boulevard/Wilson Street was converted to two-way between Bay Street North and Ferguson Avenue (at least, it was sort-of converted). Starting next week, the city will extend the two-way traffic on Wilson further east from Ferguson to Victoria Avenue.

Sections of York/Wilson and Park Street being converted to two-way
Sections of York/Wilson and Park Street being converted to two-way

The work should be completed and the street converted as of the morning of Tuesday, July 5.

This change is a scheduled step in the York Boulevard Streetscape Master Plan, which began in May 2010.

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By John Neary (registered) | Posted June 28, 2011 at 16:17:59

This is very good.

Why not all the way to Sherman? And maybe the city could narrow it to three lanes and give the Landsdale residents their front gardens back. The front doors on some of those houses look like they must open into the street.

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By Steve (registered) | Posted June 28, 2011 at 22:29:39 in reply to Comment 65276

Because it's in Ward 3...

Seriously though, the Community Improvement Area extends to Victoria, so that's what the city views as important.

But as you state; "Why not all the way to Sherman?", because there is no need for that relatively short 1 way section.

Come on staffers & bpoliticians; Why not?

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By John Neary (registered) | Posted June 29, 2011 at 18:47:34 in reply to Comment 65306

Community Improvement must stop at Victoria!

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By Pxtl (registered) - website | Posted June 28, 2011 at 16:29:43

Okay, while I am happy to hear that we're getting this step in the right direction, I have to say I'm not entirely impressed with the pace of converting Hamilton's neighborhoods back to 2-way.

As I've said before - there are benefits to having things like Main and King be 1-way. I mean, regardless of whether you think it's worthwhile, you have to admit there are good reasons for these urban highways.

But why are all these other roads still 1-way? Would a two way Charlton really destroy their traffic pattern so much?

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By Thezenmonkey (anonymous) | Posted June 29, 2011 at 18:19:19 in reply to Comment 65278

The big problem with a two way Charlton is parking; it's not wide enough for two way traffic AND street parking.

Drive up on a Sunday morning when people are at church and you'll see what I mean. Plus some sections are already too narrow as a one way with street parking like around the HAAAA grounds.

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By jason (registered) | Posted June 28, 2011 at 23:00:38

I'd rather see this new design have street parking on both, or one side of the street instead of 4 full lanes 24-7, but whatever. I can't complain.
This is the Hammer - King St has been reduced to 3 lanes from Queen-Locke for the last year and I still don't think anyone has had to hit their brakes flying through there. Rest assured though, we'll put it back to 5 lanes as soon as construction is done. All in all, a step in the right direction for this hood.

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By Jonathan Dalton (registered) | Posted June 28, 2011 at 23:24:44

I live near the recently converted York / Wilson now and have had the chance to experience it more regularly. It is a small improvement from a navigability point of view, but as an improvement to the look and feel, perception of safety and walkability, it sucks. Traffic calming is (intentionally) minimal, and the turning lanes make it look like a suburban road.

The way they're treating York and Wilson, and essentially the way they treated James and John South, seems like a good argument against advocacy for two way conversion - if this is what we get, why bother? I'm sick of arguing with people over one way / two way who essentially want the same thing (safe streets), but they can't get past these terrible examples.

Maybe we should start the debate by asking for safe, pedestrian friendly streets. Asking for two ways is almost like giving them an easy way out.

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By John Neary (registered) | Posted June 29, 2011 at 05:15:44 in reply to Comment 65311

There have been some tangible benefits to conversion, though I entirely agree that traffic calming is desperately needed and that these one-and-a-halfway streets aren't a real solution to our problems.

Because hardly anyone drives west on Wilson St, the north sidewalk feels much safer (although it still isn't a pleasant place to be.) Similarly, Wilson is now a good westbound bike route.

Finally, connectivity for motorists is much improved. When I drive to my house at Mary and Kelly I no longer have to detour through a residential block on Catharine St. to circle back to Mary if I'm approaching from the north or east.

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By SpaceMonkey (registered) | Posted June 29, 2011 at 11:45:10 in reply to Comment 65317

It will be interesting to see what your thoughts are about the conversion a year from now.

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