Mayor Andrea Horwath is calling for improved pedestrian safety measures after fatal collisions claimed the lives of two Hamilton residents within 48 hours.
Councillors unanimously supported a motion by the mayor Wednesday to have staff explore a slate of immediate improvements focused on pedestrian safety across the city, while also investigating longer-term measures in a report back to council in early 2026.
Horwath's motion calls on staff to review "hot spots," including school zones, community safety zones, high-volume pedestrian corridors and locations with recent or recurring serious collisions. In the interim, staff is directed to identify and implement interim or "rapid deployment" measures -- such as temporary curb extensions, flexible bollards and enhanced signage or pavement markings -- while the review is ongoing.
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Speaking after her motion passed, Horwath said that, while the city can and will do everything it can to improve pedestrian safety (specifically related to roads, sidewalks and speed limits), drivers must take some responsibility.
"I'm asking the people of Hamilton and visitors to our city -- please, please slow down, pay attention, get off your devices, look at where your car is going before you take it there," she said. "Help us get to Vision Zero in our city."
Vision Zero is a road safety strategy aiming to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
Staff is also directed to identify immediate, short-term, and long-term "interventions" relying on Hamilton police data, public engagement from the "Vision Zero Action Plan," and best practices from cities that decreased pedestrian injuries or fatalities.
The mayor's motion comes after a 42-year-old woman was killed Saturday evening in Ancaster when she was struck by a pickup truck. That was less than 48 hours after 52-year-old Keith Brewster died when he was hit by a dump truck Thursday afternoon, just prior to the start of his shift as a crossing guard on the Mountain.
Speaking at council Wednesday, Horwath expressed her "sincere condolences" and said her "heart is with" the family, friends and loved ones of those who were killed, before councillors observed a moment of silence.
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Horwath said she made her motion because it "behooves" council to show the community they are taking action following the tragedies. She noted the incidents come after the provincial government scrapped automated speed enforcement across the province -- a tool the city had to increase traffic safety.
The motion directs staff to review the four locations previously equipped with photo-radar -- and the four additional locations slated for speed cameras before the provincial ban -- for replacement measures.
Staff is also directed to "vigorously pursue" new opportunities through the province's new Road Safety Initiatives Fund -- announced in the wake of the speed camera ban -- to "support and expedite these improvements." The motion is also expected to be forwarded to the minister of transportation.
Jackie Kennedy, the city's general manager of public works, told The Spectator the city expects to have a "forthcoming" annual collision report for 2023 and 2024 data, which means the city is aware of potential "hot spots."
Among the projects the city has previously committed to for pedestrian safety is the planned conversion of Main Street to two-way traffic. Kennedy said that project is on track and currently in the design phase, set to be tendered in 2026.
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