What was learned from the first phase Williamsville Main Street Transportation Study?

    In 2020, the City developed amendments to the Official Plan and Zoning By-Law for the Williamsville Main Street Study and its implementing policies and provisions. This study was supported by a detailed transportation assessment  to review the road network’s existing performance and assess how the road network may perform under future land use and development scenarios. 

    That transportation study considered forecasted population and employment growth for the census metropolitan area, and how that would be impacted by growth in the corridor once planning policies were implemented. It confirmed that the Williamsville corridor is capable of accommodating the additional growth and traffic projected from growth throughout the City and through the Williamsville study area without mitigation. The transportation study also determined that the ability of the Williamsville corridor to accommodate this growth is due largely to low vehicle use within the Williamsville study area. Data from the Household Travel Survey conducted by the City in 2019 shows relatively high walking, biking and transit use currently and with projected future growth. Based on that, it is important to have adequate facilities to accommodate the demand for these travel options. Improvements to walking, cycling and transit facilities are key to maintaining the low rates of vehicle use which is critical to maintaining the viability of growth in Williamsville.  

    One major constraint identified during the first phase of the transportation study was the limited right-of-way space. The study identified that it is not possible for Princess Street to simultaneously be a transit priority corridor, a cycling spine route, a pedestrian-friendly corridor, and an Arterial class roadway leading to the downtown core. Therefore a second phase of the study would need to identify the role, function and cross-section for the Princess Street corridor. 

    How will this study be used/what are the next steps?

    This study will inform future road reconstruction projects which are triggered by the City and/or by developments along the Princess Street corridor between Bath Road and Division Street.  

    The City is scheduled to reconstruct Princess Street between Alfred and Division as part of funding provided by the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF). This work includes underground infrastructure construction and surface improvements and will incorporate changes informed by this study. 

    Other right-of-way reconstruction work would be dependent on future opportunities and available funding. 

    What are the City’s mode share targets?

    In 2015, the City adopted future mode share targets for the City’s transportation network of 20 per cent active transportation, 15 per cent transit and five per cent Transportation Demand Management. 

    What is a Transit Queue Jump?

    A dedicated traffic lane for transit vehicles on the approach to a signalized intersection that permits buses to bypass traffic waiting at the intersection. This allows the bus to move to the front of the line and then move ahead of regular vehicular traffic when the traffic light changes to green. 

    What is a cross-section?

    Technically, a cross-section is a view of an object that is three-dimensional in nature and then cut in two, with the cut side then projected into a two-dimensional view. 

    In the context of this study, this side view is used to portion off various measured widths that are associated with different street elements, to see how they fit in relative to each other and to the entire width of the road right-of-way

    What is a Cycle Spine and what is a Cycling Spine Network?

    Cycle Spine is a major dedicated cycling route separate from motor vehicles. 

    A Cycling Spine Network is a collection of cycling spine routes that are inter-connected with secondary cycling facilities.  

    Why is Princess Street not being widened to keep on street parking, bike lanes and also widen sidewalks?

    The existing right-of-way (which is the space on the roadway allocated for public transportation infrastructure) is very narrow at this section of Princess Street, on average about 20mIt is not possible to widen the roadway any more than it already is due to buildings being constructed close to or at the property line. 

    The first phase transportation study identified the current roadway width as sufficient to carry the expected future vehicular trafficwith one lane in each directionthrough this section of Princess Street. However, the roadway is not wide enough to also provide on-street parking, bike lanes and wider sidewalks in a comfortable, uncompromised manner. Thus, the intent of this study is to reallocate the narrow space within the right-of-way with the most optimal utilization of the space, which aligns with the City’s goals to improve the pedestrian experience and maintain transit consistency.  Unfortunately, some elements will need to be prioritized over other elements in order for this to happen.   

    What is an Arterial Road and Why is Princess Street still an Arterial Road?

    An arterial road is a high-volume road that is intended to carry longer-distance flows of traffic between important centers.  It can be equated to what an artery is to the human body – a major thoroughfare that then splits off to feed smaller components.   

    Princess Street is considered an arterial roadway because it is one of the few straight-through thoroughfares within the City, connecting major centers from the west end of Kingston to the east end, terminating downtown.  Princess Street needs to remain an arterial roadway to maintain this critical east/west connectivity with major centers and urban neighborhoods. 

    When do the elements of this study get built?

    In the near term, the City is committed to reconstructing a portion of Princess Street, from Alfred Street to Division Street, that will incorporate elements of this study.   

    In the longer term, this would depend on future right-of-way reconstruction work, future development and other funding opportunities.

    Why are the side streets not being considered as part of this study?

    The first phase of the study considered the broader neighborhood community and its ability to accommodate the various transportation modes relative to the proposed development of the area and recommended next steps.  The recommendenext steps break the larger area down into smaller areas (as funding becomes available), to study the various elements for consideration in more detail. Since Princess Street has planned for the most development and is an arterial road from which the local side streets split off from, it is the logical first step in understanding how this road will function under a new configuration.  This will then lead into further studopportunities for the connecting side roads, as opportunities and funding becomes available. 

    When will the side streets get reconstructed?

    Side street reconstruction is subject to future studies, capital program project opportunities and/or funding availability. 

    Why are Traffic Calming and Community Safety Zones NOT being considered as part of this Study?

    The scope of this study is limited to reimagining the Princess Street Corridorfrom Bath Road/Concession Street to Division Street, that supports pedestrian and transit initiatives and priorities. Traffic Calming and Community Safety Zones are separate, but important, City programs.  However, these important neighborhood programs are not intended to be implemented on Princess Street and are, therefore, not included in the scope of this study.  

    Traffic Calming and Community Safety Zones programs for this area will be considered under separate study opportunities and as funding becomes available.