Queen Street Construction

Conversion to two-way traffic operation | June to November 2020

Header Image Background of Queen Street South Two Way Conversion
Header Image Background of Queen Street South Two Way Conversion

Queen Street South is a one-way southbound street between Barton Street and Herkimer Street, and two-way street south of Herkimer Street. The 2008 Downtown Transportation Master Plan recommended conversion of several streets in the downtown area. Queen Street has been on a list for potential conversion along with the other one-way streets. In 2012, Councillors received several requests to establish a two-way streets implementation team.

In 2013, a study group was created consisting of ward councillors, residents and City staff to conduct a block-by-block walkability and traffic operations audit for Queen Street. The study group submitted 93 recommendations in 9 categories which were in the theme of making Queen Street safer and friendlier for vulnerable road users.

In 2014, some minor safety improvements were implemented such as ladder crosswalks, a pedestrian crossover (PXO) at Herkimer Street and a new 40 km/h speed limit to address safety issues. For a while, the impetus for converting Queen Street to two-way was interrupted due to LRT planning.

On October 26, 2016, City Council approved a  motion  to undertake a feasibility study and prepare a functional design for the conversion of Queen Street to two-way traffic operation from Aberdeen Avenue to King Street West. AECOM Canada Ltd. was retained to undertake this study and after thorough evaluation, the option for one northbound and two southbound lanes was identified as the preferred alternative for the two-way conversion of Queen Street South. Hamilton City Council approved AECOM’s recommended option and funding on November 8, 2017 ( Public Works Committee Report  &  AECOM Study ).

Over the last two years, detail design for the project was undertaken and completed by Public Works Transportation Operations & Maintenance Division staff.

Header Image Queen Street South Construction Project Update
Header Image Queen Street South Construction Project Update

On June 8, 2020 the City of Hamilton will begin construction on the two-way conversion project for Queen Street South between Aberdeen Avenue and King Street West. 

The work involves eight intersections improvements including new installation or upgrade of traffic signals, roadway restoration, curb and sidewalk reconstruction and pavement markings. A brief summary of the work is described below:

Image of Queen St

Image of Queen Street

Image of Queen Street

To view Queen Street Design Drawings follow the link:  Design Drawings 

Header Image 2020 Schedule

Chart Outlining Construction Dates

Header Image Intersection Improvements

The following civil and operational changes will be required to covert Queen Street South to two-way operation between King Street West and Aberdeen Avenue:

1.Queen Street South/North & King Street West 

a. Traffic lanes on the north side of the intersection will be reduced from three (3) to two (2) lanes. 

b. East side curb lane on Queen Street North between King Street and Market Street will be converted to parking.

c. Existing traffic lanes on the south side of the intersection will be changed from three (3) southbound lanes to two (2) southbound lanes and a single northbound lane.

d. All parking on west side of Queen Street between King Street and George Street will be removed.

e. Crosswalk on the west side of the intersection will be removed.

f. All concrete crosswalks will be removed and replaced with asphalt.

g. Concrete sidewalk and curb in all four (4) corners will be replaced.

h. New concrete bump-out will be installed in the north/east (La Luna) corner.

i. Two (2) new traffic signal poles and signal lights will be added on the north side of the intersection for the new vehicular direction of traffic.

j. New audible pedestrian push buttons and count-down timers will be installed each corner.

k. Traffic signal operation will be changed to include a new southbound movement. 

2.Queen Street South & Main Street West

a. Existing traffic lanes to be changed to two (2) southbound lanes and a single northbound lane.

b. Concrete sidewalk and curb in all four (4) corners will be replaced.

c. Two (2) new traffic signal poles and signal lights will be added on the north side of the intersection for the new vehicular direction of traffic.

d. New audible pedestrian push buttons and count-down timers will be installed on each corner.

e. Traffic signal operation will be changed to include a new northbound movement. 

3.Queen Street South & Hunter Street West

a. Existing traffic lanes to be changed to two (2) southbound lanes and a single northbound lane.

b. Existing westbound left lanes on Hunter Street will be converted to westbound left and right lanes.

c. Crosswalk on south side of the intersection will be removed.

d. Green bike box in the intersection will be removed.

e. Concrete separation curbs and bike lane knockdown sticks will be installed to enhance existing bike lane safety and increase driver awareness.

f. Concrete sidewalk and curb in all corners will be replaced.

g. New bicycle path between Hunter Street and Canada Street will be installed behind the sidewalk on the west side of Queen Street.

h. Bicycle traffic signal lights will be installed to connect existing east/west bike lanes on Hunter Street.

i. New traffic lights will be installed on the north side of the intersection for the new vehicular direction of traffic.

j. New audible pedestrian push buttons and count-down timers will be installed on each corner.

k. Traffic signal operation will be changed to include new southbound and westbound left movements, as well as a leading green light for the bike lanes. 

Existing Conditions

For larger view of the image follow the link:  Queen & Hunter Existing Conditions 

Proposed Improvements

Image of Proposed Intersection at Queen and Hunter

For larger view of the image follow the link:  Queen & Hunter Proposed Improvements 

4.Queen Street South & Duke Street

a. Existing traffic lanes to be changed to two (2) southbound lanes and a single northbound lane.

b. Existing pedestrian signal to be removed and replaced with a full traffic signal to control all directions of travel at the intersection, this will include new traffic poles and traffic signal lights.

c. New crosswalks will be installed on all four (4) legs of the intersection.

d. Concrete sidewalk and curb in all corners will be replaced.

e. New audible pedestrian push buttons and count-down timers will be installed on each corner. 

5.Queen Street South & Charlton Avenue West

a. Existing traffic lanes to be changed to two (2) southbound lanes and a single northbound lane.

b. New traffic light pole and traffic lights to be added on the north side of the intersection for the new vehicular direction of traffic.

c.  Concrete bump-out will be installed in the south/east corner of the intersection.

d. Concrete sidewalk and curb in all corners will be replaced.

e. New crosswalks and green bicycle lane within the intersection will be added.

f. New audible pedestrian push buttons and count-down timers will be installed on each corner.

g. Traffic signal operation will be changed to include a new southbound movement. 

6.Queen Street South & Herkimer Street 

a. Existing traffic lanes to be changed to two (2) southbound lanes and a single northbound lane.

b. Existing pedestrian cross overs and crosswalks will be removed.

c. Existing traffic island within the intersection will be removed.

d. New traffic signal to be constructed at the intersection.

e. New traffic poles and signal lights to be installed in all four (4) corners of the intersection with displays for the northbound, southbound and eastbound movements only.

f. New concrete bump-out to be installed in the north/west corner, bike station will be temporarily removed and restored on top of the new bump-out.

g. Concrete sidewalk and curb in all corners will be replaced.

h. New crosswalks and green bicycle lane through the intersection will be painted.

i. Concrete separation curbs and bike lane knock down sticks to be installed on portions of existing bike lanes.

j. Pedestrian crosswalk on the south leg of the intersection will be removed/deleted.

k. New audible pedestrian push buttons and count-down timers will be installed on each corner. 

Existing Conditions

For larger view of the image follow the link:  Queen & Herkimer Existing Conditions 

Proposed Improvements

Image of Proposed Intersection at Queen and Herkimer

For larger view of the image follow the link:  Queen & Herkimer Proposed Improvements 

7.Queen Street South & Aberdeen Avenue

a. New concrete bump-out will be installed to replace the existing traffic knock-down sticks in the south/east corner of the intersection.

8. Queen Street North & Napier Street

a. New traffic signal to be constructed with signal displays for the eastbound, westbound and southbound movements.

b. New traffic signal poles and signal lights will be installed in all four (4) corners of the intersection.

c. Eight to ten on-street parking spaces will be removed to provide extra room needed to accommodate changes.

d. Concrete sidewalk and curb in all corners will be replaced.

e. New crosswalks will be installed on three (3) legs of the intersection (east, west and north), pedestrian crossing on the south leg will not be allowed/permitted.

f. New audible pedestrian push buttons and count-down timers will be installed on each corner. 

In addition to above, on-street parking on Queen Street between Hunter Street and Herkimer Street will be relocated from east side to the west side of the street and overall on-street parking will be reduced by approximately 25 per cent.

Header Image Contract Details

Image of Contract Details chart

Header Image Contact Information

Contact Information

Should you happen to have questions about the project please see contact information below:

Project Related Questions:

Mike Field, MIES, CAMP, Manager of Transportation Operations 905.546.2424 Ext. 4576 |  Mike.Field@hamilton.ca 

Mushfiqur Rahman, MASc, P.Eng., PTOE, Senior Project Manager of Transportation Engineering | 905.546.2424 Ext. 4391  Mushfiqur.Rahman@hamilton.ca 

Community General Questions

You can always visit the City's website to check on:  Construction in your Area 

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