Will Kirkendall Become a Truly Walkable Community?

The Kirkendall neighbourhood has some important features that could make it one of the most walkable areas in all of Hamilton: a great commercial area in the Locke Street area, good access to HSR and GO buses on Main Street, and safe well-treed streets that make walking a real pleasure.

As many of you know, historically, Kirkendall was linked to Main Street and the adjacent Strathcona neighbourhood north of Main Street by three bridges over the CP rail tracks from west to east at Poulette Street, Pearl Street and Ray Street. Last year the Ray Street bridge was deemed unsafe and was removed, and we lost the Poulette Street bridge many years ago. Today, the Pearl Street bridge is the only connector left.

Currently, the City is undertaking a study to determine whether the Pearl Street bridge should be renovated and whether the Poulette Street bridge should be re-installed. The first PIC (Public Information Centre) was held on March 31. Visit the Bridges Master Plan website to see the details.

You'll note that the City consultant is recommending NO PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES ACROSS THE CP RAIL TRACKS!

I feel strongly that we need to have as many attractive pedestrian routes as possible to encourage folks to leave their cars at home with the clear benefit of more fit populations, reductions in greenhouse gases and air pollution, and the promotion of a slower pace of life obtainable when one walks.

What is my position? I believe that we need to fix the Pearl Street bridge (I use it many times per week walking between my home near Victoria Park to Locke Street to shop, attend meetings and socialise) and rebuild the Poulette Street bridge both so folks in that area have better access to Fortinos and other amenities, and so Strathcona folks have a better route to the Ward 1 Leash Free Park on Hill Street, Locke Street merchants, the HAAA grounds and for the youth, a safer route to Ryerson School and Recreation Centre.

I encourage you to review this information and provide me with your comments at bmchattie@hamilton.ca.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts!