[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/mainst.jpg” caption=”Artist’s concept of the new University Gates, looking north from Main Street.”]Two construction projects, beginning in April along Main Street West in Hamilton, will greatly improve the entrance to the University and Hamilton Health Sciences' McMaster site.

During the work, which begins next Monday, April 4, and runs through mid August, the City of Hamilton will reconstruct Main Street West between Cootes Drive and Gary Avenue. At the same time, McMaster University will construct a new Main Street entrance onto campus to improve safety and enhance the University's entrance.

Proceeding with both projects at the same time allows for the work, timelines and costs to be co-ordinated most efficiently.

The primary purpose of the new Main Street entrance is to improve the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles between Main Street and campus as well as the hospital's emergency entrance and parking garage. With the construction of a new University Avenue, wide sidewalks and cycling lanes, the new entrance will also provide a more obvious entry to the University with improved signage, a gateway feature and extensive landscaping.

One major feature of the Main Street reconstruction will be a new, major intersection at Emerson Avenue. It will allow traffic from the University, McMaster University Medical Centre and the McMaster Children's hospitals to go through a straightforward intersection process to turn right or left onto Main Street. It will also be a uncomplicated intersection for Main Street traffic to turn into the entrance for the University and the hospitals.

During the reconstruction of Main Street West, traffic will be reduced to two lanes in each direction between Cootes Drive and Gary Avenue. Access priority will be provided to emergency vehicles and patient drop-off accessing Hamilton Health Sciences hospitals.

“Traffic delays will occur along this section of Main Street West throughout the summer,” says vice-president administration, Karen Belaire. “Those who travel in this area are encouraged to allow extra time, and check the project Web site at http://fhs.mcmaster.ca/mainstreet/ for updates on the construction and related impacts on local traffic. I thank everyone for your patience and understanding throughout this project that will further enhance the University.”

The new entrance project will proceed through five stages of construction, and each phase will effect both vehicle and pedestrian traffic differently, with changes in access routes. Because of these phased disruptions, staff, students, patients and visitors to the University and hospitals need to be aware of the changes on an ongoing basis. As well, dates for beginning and ending each stage may be variable depending on weather and unforeseen circumstances. A map and details of each stage are available on the project Web site.

Beginning in early May, changes to the HSR transit schedule and campus bus stops will be required while the Main Street entrance work is underway. Details will be posted on the project Web site.

Ongoing communications on the Main Street entrance project will be provided via a dedicated Web site for the HHS and McMaster communities: http://fhs.mcmaster.ca/mainstreet/.

Links will also be provided from the University's Daily News site.

If notices with additional information are required they will be provided on the Daily News, Faculty of Health Sciences and Hamilton Health Sciences Web sites. As well, e-mails will be sent to McMaster community members through its e-mail distribution system.

During stage 1, which begins April 4 and continues for six weeks, there will be no changes in vehicular, pedestrian or transit routes or access. At this time a new University Avenue will be constructed between the hospital on the east and the T13 Building, Communications Research Lab and the Psychology Building on the west.

Stage 2 begins by May 6, and detailed information on the impact on vehicles, pedestrians and transit will be communicated separately by mid-April.

Construction of the athletics and recreation project at the north end of campus is also under way throughout the summer. It is expected there will be traffic congestion at the University's Sterling Street entrance as construction vehicles enter and exit campus along with regular permit holders and visitors.

Public transit, or efforts to minimize traffic to the campus has been highly recommended during this construction season.

Questions related to the Main Street Entrance construction may be directed to David Heatlie, project manager, physical plant, McMaster University: 905-525-9140 ext. 23051 or at heatlie@ppims.services.mcmaster.ca.

Main Street reconstruction contact: Barry Mulcahy, project manager- construction, public works department, City of Hamilton: 905-546-4313 ext. 4355.