Hamilton councillors object to proposal to eliminate trucks from Rymal Road
The Hamilton cycling committee wants the city to prohibit trucks from rumbling along streets, including Rymal Road, where bike lanes are already incorporated into the roadways.
But several councillors say that would be a concern" since Rymal Road is a vital part of the mountain's economy.
In an Oct. 7, 2020, recommendation, and updated at its Sept. 1, 2021 meeting, the cycling committee proposed to the public works committee to change the truck route master plan eliminating trucks from downtown roads, including Cannon and Victoria streets, along future BLAST transit network roadways such as Upper James, and along Rymal Road between Highway 6 and Upper Centennial Parkway. The committee also wanted to ban trucks on Garner Road from Glancaster Road to Highway 6.
Cyclists instead wanted trucks confined to area highways such as the Lincoln Alexander Parkway and the Red Hill Valley Parkway, Burlington Street and near "as few residential properties as possible."
The cycling committee stated that truck travel was shown to have the lowest rating on the many of the streets downtown and in the urban area."
But Mountain Coun. Tom Jackson warned he would put the brakes on any recommendation to prohibit trucks on Rymal Road.
He said eliminating trucks from the busy street would severely impact the movement of goods from the Red Hill Business Park and throughout the area transportation network.
This is definitely premature," said Jackson.
Rymal Road is tentatively scheduled to be widened to five lanes from Dartnall Road to Upper James by 2023. A $300,000 environmental assessment is currently underway on the proposed project.
Rymal Road East was already widened from Fletcher to Upper Centennial from three to five lanes. And widening Rymal Road between West Fifth and Garth was completed in December 2018.
Other potential changes involving truck routes along Dickenson Road from Upper James Street to Nebo Road; Nebo Road from Dickenson Road to Whitechurch Road; and Whitechurch Road from Upper James Street to Nebo Road.
The cycling committee also supported banning trucks on streets listed as daytime only from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Several downtown councillors, along with cycling advocates, have urged the city to remove truck traffic along downtown city streets, such as Cannon Street, where popular cycling lanes are located, and a heavy pedestrian presence use the roadway.
Ward 2 Coun. Jason Farr backed a motion requesting staff craft a report to study why heavy trucks are allowed to detour through residential areas during construction.
But there is also opposition to proposed truck route changes in the rural areas, such as in Flamborough, to allow trucks along 11th Concession Road East and Milburough Line, and establishing a permanent truck route for Carlisle Road and a portion of Milburough Line.
And Ancaster Coun. Lloyd Ferguson said residents in rural Ancaster are upset that Jerseyville Road, between Sunnyridge Road and Highway 52, is being removed as a truck route.
The truck route subcommittee is currently reviewing the truck route master plan and will be holding its next meeting Nov. 29.
Brian Hollingworth, director of transportation planning, confirmed there are truck routes that are allowed onto roads with bike lanes. He said updating the truck route master plan will incorporate the city's roadway safety policies with Hamilton's commitment to its Vision Zero program. Other influences that will be used to revise the master plan include growth in new employment areas, emerging truck technologies, network connectivity, area-specific issues, and climate change.
The city has already held a couple of public information meetings on the truck route master plan in 2021. The last time it was updated was in 2010.
Steve Malloy, manager of transportation planning, said the truck route subcommittee's recommendations on the master plan, including staff's report on any potential changes, could be provided to councillors by the end of the year.