Third Crossing - Gore Road & Highway 15

Consultation has concluded.


The Third Crossing project team is releasing the final design of Highway 15 and Gore Rd intersection for residents to view and ask questions of the project team.

In September 2019, the Third Crossing project team provided a draft concept design of Hwy 15 & Gore Rd intersection. Since then, there have been City-wide decisions based on global and municipal interests which have influenced the final design.

The purpose of this Q&A (see below) is to allow residents to review the evolution of the intersection design and see how the final design is focussed on active transportation and transit improvements. Residents can view the final design in the News Feed section below or by opening the pdf slides and then ask questions you may have of the project team.

The Highway 15 Class EA

This engagement is not about the Hwy 15 Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) that looked at the current and future transportation needs of pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and motorists along the Highway 15 corridor. For further information about the Hwy 15 Class EA, visit the Highway 15 project page.



The Third Crossing project team is releasing the final design of Highway 15 and Gore Rd intersection for residents to view and ask questions of the project team.

In September 2019, the Third Crossing project team provided a draft concept design of Hwy 15 & Gore Rd intersection. Since then, there have been City-wide decisions based on global and municipal interests which have influenced the final design.

The purpose of this Q&A (see below) is to allow residents to review the evolution of the intersection design and see how the final design is focussed on active transportation and transit improvements. Residents can view the final design in the News Feed section below or by opening the pdf slides and then ask questions you may have of the project team.

The Highway 15 Class EA

This engagement is not about the Hwy 15 Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) that looked at the current and future transportation needs of pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and motorists along the Highway 15 corridor. For further information about the Hwy 15 Class EA, visit the Highway 15 project page.


Consultation has concluded.

If you have any questions for the project team on the final design of Hwy 15 & Gore Rd. intersection, please submit them below and we will respond within two days. Q&A closes June 29 at 4 p.m. 

  • Hi - On 19 June I cheekily asked two questions: thank you for your helpful response, but I received only one answer, so to re-ask my second question. || I cycle a lot. So far, I have found approximately 15 sets of traffic lights in downtown Kingston which never turn green if you are alone on a push bike, apparently because your systems cannot detect bikes, only cars and trucks. Will this new intersection be correctly set-up to detect bikes, or will we be forced to run the red lights like on those other 15 sets of traffic lights? Thank you - Jon

    jondclarke asked over 4 years ago

    Hi Jondclarke, 

    Apologies for missing that second question. To answer this question and provide clarity, yes, the intersection improvements will include detection for and dedicated signals for bicycles. 

    Thank you

  • Even though Point St Mark Drive and the library are midway between the Third Crossing and Highway 15 along Gore Road they are not indicated on the June 2020-Final Design. The potential for an extremely significant increase in traffic to this quiet residential area needs to be addressed and should be part to any Final design. Point St Mark should not be made into a high speed shortcut for those wishing to shave a few seconds off their daily commute when Hwy 15 is congested. As a result of the pandemic and it’s devastating financial affect on the City’s ability to fund traffic mitigation measures in Point St Mark will the existing Third Crossing budget be used? I would like to offer one possible solution. Would it not be the least expensive solution to close off Point St Mark with a semi-permanent yet removable barrier, such as those on ramps to Hwy 401? This barrier would remain closed but could be removed for emergencies. With such a barrier in place there would be no need for neither a west nor east turn lane on Gore to Point St Mark thereby reducing the cost the Third Crossing. Possible?

    G.L. asked over 4 years ago

    Hi G.L. 

    Thank you for sharing your feedback. In terms of Point St. Mark Drive and Gore Rd a decision on that intersection has not been made yet. We will be reaching out to residents in the near future for their opinions on keeping the intersection permanently open or closed and other feedback as well. The project team will be reaching out in 2020.

  • Would a cyclist still be allowed to cross the intersection together with the motor vehicles when their light is green? I assume the lights for the motor vehicles will be on green much longer and when I feel confident it is safe, I might not like to wait (especially when I am on my exercise ride).

    Maarten Beek asked over 4 years ago

    Hi Maarten, 

    Thank you for your question. Depending on your cycling experience at the intersection you can cross it in a couple of ways, you could:

    • If you are coming off the bridge by using the multi-use pathway, stay on the multi-use pathway until the intersection and then use the cross-rides at the intersection of Hwy 15. You can follow the traffic signals to cross the road using the designated cross-rides;
    • You can also enter the car lanes at the Point St Mark intersection and cycle in the car lane and then enter the left-turn car lane and flow with car traffic.

  • 1. Gore Rd West side: As someone who walks, three footpaths seems excessive. (one on north side, two on south side - including the multi use trail). 2. Gore Rd East: Why is a natural desire-line path from the bus stop to the sidewalk seemingly overlooked. 3. Why do road engineers seem to believe cyclists and pedestrians love trails close to busy noisy roads?

    PeterGB asked over 4 years ago

    Hi Peter, 

    Thank you for your question although we hope you can expand further on your question as we are not completely clear as to what you are asking. As engagement closes today at 4 p.m. you can always email the Third Crossing project team with your question at any time. Email us and you would be happy to answer any questions you have. Email at thirdcrossing@cityofkingston.ca 

  • A quick one: the cross-rides, are that the dotted lines in the drawing?

    Maarten Beek asked over 4 years ago

    Hi Maarten, 

    Yes, they are - the cross-rides are the dotted lines in the images of the final design.

  • The new design has lanes called Cycle facility. Looking at the drawings they look quite narrow. Would there still be a possibility for cyclists to pass each other?

    Maarten Beek asked over 4 years ago

    Hi Maarten, 

    Thank you for your question. The typical width of cycling lanes (on-road) is 1.5 meters with a 0.5 meter buffer zone.  The multi-use pathway will be 3.0 meters wide.  As always, we all need to share the road, drive/cycle safely and use courtesy when approaching other cyclists/car drivers on these routes.

  • In a post-COVID society, we can anticipate that many will be working from home resulting in a lot less commuter pressure. In this setting, is a third crossing necessary? The $180 million could be used for substantial improvements to our existing infrastructure. A renewed focus on sustainable transportation, including separate bike lanes and widened sidewalks which benefit people of all mobilities could be a more equitable option and a better use of funds. It is not too late to reconsider. Consider the following articles: “Let’s use what COVID-19 has taught us to redesign the city” Toon Dreessen https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/dreessen-lets-use-what-covid-19-has-taught-us-to-redesign-our-city “Milan announces ambitious scheme to reduce car use after lockdown” Laura Laker https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/21/milan-seeks-to-prevent-post-crisis-return-of-traffic-pollution

    spatel asked over 4 years ago

    Hi Spatel, 

    Thanks for your question. Funding was approved and granted by upper levels of government (the Province and the Federal Government) and the construction of the Third Crossing is already underway.

  • Are the maple trees on Gore Rd. across from the Pittsburgh library going to have to be cut down to accommodate the width of the road entering the bridge from the east? Thanks.

    Richards asked over 4 years ago

    Hi Richard, 

    Thank you for your question. If you are referring to the trees along Gore Road east of Point St Mark to Hwy 15 (south side), the majority of trees will be left alone and not cut down, but there are a couple of trees that require removal.  The road widening happens north of these trees.

  • Not sure if this is the forum to ask this question. As the third crossing will be vital to reduce congestion if there is an accident or other problem with the 401 between hwy 15 and Montreal St or the LaSalle causeway. Will there be changes to the timing of lights or lane closures to allow transport trucks to navigate the various intersections better? The lack of turning lanes or lights at some of the on and off ramps and intersections really slow things down.

    Bill D asked over 4 years ago

    Hi Bill, 

    Thank you for the question. Signal timings are coordinated throughout the City. Depending on the equipment installed at intersections, it can vary between smart systems and timed systems.  If smart systems are equipped along Emergency Detour Routes, they will be activated/adjusted to increase operational enhancements during these types of events.

  • As a bicycle commuter I am worried how I should take my left turn from Gore onto hwy 15. Do I start on the shared use path and then crossover to the left turn lane?

    Heidi Ploeg asked over 4 years ago

    Hi Heidi, 

    Thank you for the question. Depending on your cycling experience, you can take a left turn from Gore Rd onto Hwy 15 a couple of ways:

    • If you are coming off the bridge by using the multi-use pathway, stay on the multi-use pathway until the intersection and then use the cross-rides at the intersection of Hwy 15. You can follow the traffic signals to cross the road using the designated cross-rides;
    • You can also enter the car lanes at the Point St Mark intersection and cycle in the car lane and then enter the left-turn car lane and flow with car traffic.