[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. “]Construction of McMaster University's new Main Street entrance is progressing on schedule. To date, work on the new University Avenue is well under way, running north from Main Street between the hospital on the east and the T13 Building, Communications Research Lab and the Psychology Building on the west. Paving of the new road will start within the next week.

Beginning May 2, the project will begin Stage 2, which involves connecting the new University Avenue to College Crescent. The work requires this section of College Crescent to be closed to pedestrian and vehicular traffic through to June 6, 2005. The road and sidewalks will be closed on College Crescent from the north side of the hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, around the corner to the west side of the Psychology Building. Designated parking spaces in front of the Psychology building will no longer be available. All permit holders have been reassigned to other parking locations.

HSR service and bus stops will be impacted beginning May 2. Please check the project website for detailed information and HSR maps: http://fhs.mcmaster.ca/mainstreet/.

The changes are as follows:

• Routes 1/1A – King & 10 – Beeline will be rerouted along Sterling, across Scholars Road to College Crescent, south on the existing University Avenue and over to the hospital entrance; loop around and return the same route. Temporary bus stops will be in effect. These route changes will be in effect from May 2 to June 6.
• Routes 5A and 5C will enter campus via Cootes Drive, follow Scholars Road and out Sterling. This route change will begin May 2 and continue through to the end of the project.

Hard copies of the HSR detours and bus stop information are available at the COMPASS Information Desk, Alternative Commuting & Transportation (ACT) Office, Parking and Transit Services and several departments. Call ACT at ext. 24772 to confirm other locations.

Stage 2 originally included work on the extension of Forsyth Avenue in front of the hospital. This work has been rescheduled for completion later in the summer.

Stage 3 of the project takes place from June 6 to mid-July and will focus on the reconstruction of the existing University Avenue and connections at the top and bottom of the road. Detailed updates will be provided by mid-May with specific impacts to pedestrian and vehicular traffic as well as HSR service impacts.

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. It will also improve accessibility for vehicles leaving the University and hospital turning onto Main Street. 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 landscaping.

The reconstruction of Main Street West is also under way by the City of Hamilton. Traffic is reduced to two lanes in each direction between Cootes Drive and Gary Avenue. Traffic delays on this stretch of Main Street West will continue throughout the summer. Access priority is provided to emergency vehicles and patient drop-off at Hamilton Health Sciences hospital.

Everyone travelling in this area is encouraged to allow extra time.

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 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.