Engagement summary

As part of the City’s ongoing efforts to make it easier to get around Kingston through active modes of transportation and improved pedestrian safety, improvements are planned along McMahon Avenue between Westmoreland Road and Avenue Road.

These include:

• New sidewalk along south side of McMahon Avenue from Jane Avenue to Avenue Road.
• Road rehabilitation work from Jane Avenue to Avenue Road.
• Traffic calming measures are also proposed along McMahon Avenue from Westmoreland Road to Avenue Road.

Community input was collected through the City’s online Get Involved Kingston platform from June 27, 2023, to July 18, 2023; this input has informed the locations for benches to be placed along McMahon Avenue as part of the upcoming improvements.

Summary of feedback and responses

During the engagement, 328 visitors viewed the Get Involved Kingston project page, eight of whom offered feedback through the interactive maps by dropping pins to mark locations where they would like to see future rest areas, 12 comments were received in total.

Participants noted a desire for benches to be placed in the general vicinity of schools and transit in addition to centralized locations to provide resting areas. The proposed locations will be reviewed taking into consideration AODA requirements and existing constraints within the right of way to determine the best placements.

The map below depicts the general locations selected by participants that were considered by staff.

The City also received comments and questions regarding the proposed design and scope of work. A summary of these comments and questions are included below.

Rest areas

Suggestions included positioning rest areas near the bus stop by Avenue Road, in front of the church or over by the school rather than in front of private homes

Sidewalks

Comments were received in favour and against the installation of a sidewalk. Some felt they filled a much-needed gap others felt a sidewalk was an unneeded luxury.

Concerns were raised about whether the sidewalk would be level or slopped, the commenter indicated that slopped sidewalks are difficult for people with mobility challenges. The commenter also cited slowing traffic as a reason.

The lack of trees was also raised, with one commenter indicating that hot sunny days with limited shade made it unappealing to walk and suggested tree planting.

Roadway resurfacing

A question was received asking why McMahon Ave. is being resurfaced again when other streets nearby, Jane St was cited, are in need of resurfacing or repair.

Traffic Calming and traffic concerns

One comment identified temporary traffic calming measures, pylons in front of the school, as being effective and asked that a more permanent solution be considered.

Parking for the school was also identified as an issue. The concern raised was that any narrowing of the street would increase parking along Jane St. by families dropping off and picking up.

A suggestion was made to permanently close McMahon Ave between Westmoreland Rd and Lord Strathcona Public School’s driveway. The commenter did not feel this would impact private driveways and would create a safe area, combined with traffic calming, for students to get to school.

Next steps

City staff have reviewed the feedback and are in the process of design. Construction is anticipated for 2024.