Hamilton City Council’s Public Works Committee met April 13, 2026, and heard delegations from Ward 4 residents about an HSR bus detour planned for Maple and Edgemont during LRT construction. The committee also received the city’s 2023–2024 Annual Collision Report and a new “Rural Road Safety Toolbox,” and approved several community infrastructure items including playground replacements and a motion to report back on expediting a multi-use court at Gage Park.

Topics Discussed

HSR Bus Detour Safety Concerns on Maple and Edgemont

Ward 4 residents asked the committee to intervene in HSR’s plan to detour buses onto Maple and Edgemont during LRT construction. Kathleen Pierce told councillors, “Despite these concerns, HSR is moving forward with the current plan and has advised that rider communication will be mailed out imminently.”

Delegates described near-misses and argued the route prioritizes rider convenience over neighbourhood safety, with one delegate saying, “Convenience should never outweigh foreseeable harm,” and another adding, “For them it was more about convenience for their riders as opposed to the safety of the community.” Jay Pierce said the response he received from HSR was not a discussion: “The email response I got back was basically, thank you for your concern, but we're moving ahead… It was basically, this is happening, it's happening in February.”

Staff said the detour decision was driven by maintaining walking access to transit and meeting service standards. Nick Shalo, Manager of Transit Planning, said, “Our focus has been on maintaining walking access to the route,” and warned that some options would “push bus service over 800 meters out of the way for folks,” leaving “Maine and Ottawa” without transit “within walking distance from that intersection.” Staff also described detours as an operational decision based on risk and street geometry; Director Per said detours are “determined by staff based on risks,” including “turning radiuses” and “ability to maneuver,” while trying “to maintain those service standards.”

Construction timing was also raised. Dennis Pusen, senior project manager in the LRT construction office, said, “We will be four months. We will be into when the school recommences.”

Vision Zero Collision Report: Declines in Serious Collisions, Ongoing Injury Burden

The committee received the 2023–2024 Annual Collision Report, including discussion about how the city prioritizes safety work and what data should be made available. One speaker emphasized the Vision Zero standard: “Our real goal from the vision zero action plan is… to bring our roads to vision zero and have only zero acceptable collisions or fatalities rather or major injuries.”

Delegates and councillors also discussed how collision information is presented and tracked. One speaker said the city’s open data approach should be clearer: “the city's open data policies are, you know, as much as possible, as often as possible, and if you can't share it, tell us why you can't share it.” Another raised concerns about issue tracking across requests: “we don't have a good system now for tracking all these things and the relationships they have with one another.”

Rural Road Safety Toolbox Received

The committee received a new rural road safety framework intended to guide consistent, evidence-based responses to rural road safety concerns. A director described it as a leadership opportunity: “This is an opportunity for the city of Hamilton to be a leader in this very specific area and we're very proud to present this report for information but now for staff to implement.” Staff also linked the toolbox to future funding applications, noting it could strengthen Hamilton’s position if a provincial rural road safety program proceeds.

Memorial Elementary School Playground Replacement

Council approved funding to replace the playground at Memorial Elementary School. Delegations focused on accessibility and end-of-life conditions. Robin Curry said, “Our current structure is nearing or is at its end of life. It is rusty. It is not able to support members of our community who have physical disabilities and we would just really like to see it replaced.” Adriana Baker described a child’s inclusion-focused ideas for the replacement, including “a wheelchair accessible swing,” and “a big sign with a rainbow that says, ‘Memorial playground. Everyone is welcome.’”

Gage Park Multi-Use Court: Report Back on Expediting Timeline

Following youth delegations, council passed a motion directing staff to report back in Q1 2027 on expediting a multi-use court at Gage Park. Julia Nevin told councillors, “I don't know about you, but I will be 41 when this court is supposed to be built.” A youth delegate argued the court would better serve teens and said, “The park isn't serving the teens in our community as well as it could be.”

Motions

Passed: - Received Annual Collision Report (PW26025) for information
- Received Rural Road Safety Toolbox (PW26032) for information
- Approved transit fare freeze, reversing planned September 1st increase (PW26047, Bylaw 26034)
- Approved Hamilton Water equipment standardization (PW26010)
- Approved fleet services contract extension (C11-52-7, Report PW26045)
- Approved Cemetery Road drainage infrastructure replacement (Ward 11)
- Approved downtown washroom project relocation to John Rebecca Park
- Approved $17,632 for Ancaster BIA beautification from Ward 12 non-tax revenue account
- Approved $2.15 million for HAA Fieldhouse improvements (Ward 1): $650,000 donation plus $1.5 million from Ward 1 capital reinvestment
- Approved up to $20,000 for Ainsliewood fieldhouse furnishings (Ward 1)
- Approved Victoria Park Plaza bench replacement (Ward 3)
- Approved accessible portable toilets for Ward 12 parks (less than $9,500)
- Approved $375,000 for Lincoln Alexander Elementary School play structure replacement (Ward 6)
- Approved motion directing staff to report on expediting Gage Park multi-use court (Ward 3)
- Approved $280,000 for Memorial Elementary School playground replacement ($240,000 Ward 3, $40,000 Ward 4)
- Approved two speed cushions on Mont Morreny Drive with $6,000 upset limit

Deferred: - Eastwood Park washroom facilities (Notice of Motion 11.3) — returns to next meeting

Attendees

• Councillor Nann (Ward 3)
• Councillor Wilson (Ward 1)
• Councillor Pauls
• Councillor Wang (Ward 4)
• Councillor Tatterson
• Councillor Casar
• Councillor Tatis
• Councillor Cooper
• Councillor Crutch (Ward 2)
• Councillor McMeeken (Ward 12)
• Councillor Francis
• Councillor Kroetsch
• Councillor Jackson (Ward 6)
• Councillor Beattie (Ward 10)
• Councillor Bey