McMaster's front entrance off Main Street will be getting a facelift next year when the City of Hamilton begins construction on the principal roadway that leads to campus. That clears the way for McMaster to begin planning a vision for the campus side of the entrance, working with stakeholders to ensure all issues are addressed.

Over the next couple of weeks Karen Belaire, vice-president administration, will be organizing a steering committee of McMaster stakeholders including representatives from several faculties and departments, parking, planning, physical plant, as well as an external engineering traffic consultant.

“The environmental assessment process has taken many months. As this process comes to an end the University will now begin to plan for the redesign. There are a number of factors to consider as we begin designing the front entrance,” says Belaire. “The city has recently released a drawing of their plans for Main Street based on the environmental assessment, and now we'll work on our vision for our entrance way and access route. Addressing the needs and concerns of cyclists, pedestrians, public transit and emergency vehicles in this high traffic area will be challenging for the committee.”

Once the committee has had a chance to develop the design for the entrance roadway, they will bring this to the McMaster community via the open house process to obtain feedback. The final design will require approval from the University Board of Governors.

“McMaster is working very hard at being cyclist- and pedestrian-friendly, and we recognize that there is still a lot of work to do. The University will continue to encourage alternative modes of transportation to campus,” says Linda Axford, university planner. “All of these concerns will be reflected in the design of the new entrance.”

The City is expected begin construction on Main Street in 2004. Axford hopes the construction of the University's side of the entrance will coincide with the city's construction.