MTO will be re-instating the high speed channel ramp from Fairview St. west to the QEW. They considered Burlington's requests for a ramp with a sharp right turn or a ramp with a smaller radius both of which forced drivers to slow down before entering the ramp. Both options were rejected in favour of MTO gold plated standard Partial Cloverleaf ramp. MTO admits motorists will probably drive at higher speeds than the city's option but the number of vehicle collisions will be fewer. Unfortunately, because of the higher speed, the collisions may be more severe.
However, MTO has agreed to several quantum changes from their norm:
1. 1.5m bike lanes on Fairview St. under the overpass will be part of the design.
2. the bike lanes will be coloured, probably chartreuse
3. vehicle lanes will be narrower, promoting slower speeds
4. the current speed limit will be lowered to 50kpm from the current 60kpm
5. streetscaping will be added to encourage motorists to slow down in this area
6. off road bike lanes & jug handles will be added for the less intrepid cyclist.
7. ramp access speeds will be monitored to determine if speeds will be slower as expected.
From the city's point of view, if the calming measures work & collision rates stay low with the narrower lanes, the new Fairview interchange will set a precedent for other overpasses & underpasses in Burlington. I can see the bike lanes on the QEW overpasses in the not to distant future!
Compromises rarely satisfy. How's the wine taste?
Gene
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