Major Hamilton mountain access to get massive upgrade

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Published June 4, 2020 at 7:08 pm

Hamilton’s Claremont Access will be getting a pretty big makeover in the coming months and it’s going to improve access between downtown and the Mountain for cyclists and pedestrians.

Hamilton’s Claremont Access will be getting a pretty big makeover in the coming months and it’s going to improve access between downtown and the Mountain for cyclists and pedestrians.

At Wednesday’s (June 3) virtual council meeting, council unanimously approved the project, which, according to a staff report, is expected to get underway by the end of this month.

A substantial part of this reno involves the creation of the Jay Keddy Trail — a multi-use trail that will allow for upbound and downbound mountain access for cyclists and pedestrians.

The nearly $6-million project involves resurfacing of the roadway, construction of cement barriers between the roadway and the Keddy Trail, new signals at the top of the James Street stairs and connections from other trails along the escarpment and lower city.

The trail budget is match funded through the Provincial Ontario Municipal Commuter Cycling (OMCC) Program at up to 80 per cent of the cost of the project.

Construction is expected to take ‘several’ months the report says and motorists should expect delays as it is expected that full or partial closures of the upbound lanes of the Claremont Access will be required throughout the course of work.

The trail is named after Jay Keddy, a 53-year-old teacher, father-of-three and cyclist who was struck killed on the Claremont Access while cycling home from work in December 2015.

“This is a signature public space investment in Hamilton’s future that creates new opportunities for walking, jogging and biking and a sense of community where residents can relax and enjoy amazing views and amenities along the mountain brow,” Ward 8 councillor John-Paul Danko, says on his website.

“The Claremont component is a key part of the much more extensive Mountain Brow Trail that will bring new recreational activities to residents across the Hamilton mountain.”

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