At a Special Meeting of the Works and Engineering Committee held on Wednesday, June 22, Members of Council selected preferred designs for key components of Phase 2 of the Walton Street Reconstruction project (Pine Street to Mill Street) and directed staff to prepare a resolution to Council with the preferred options for consideration at their next meeting on July 5, 2022.
At the meeting, Councillors were provided with various options for key design components intended to improve traffic flow, pedestrian walkways, and enhance the streetscape. Staff and the design consultants presented options and recommendations and provided the Committee with a detailed presentation that included a review of feedback attained through public engagement. In general, Members were presented with options for new design elements or to replace the existing area as is.
The Committee was asked to make design choices on five distinct elements of the reconstruction area. The following is the selections that were made:
| Location of design area | Option 1 presented | Option 2 presented | Option 3 presented | Option selected by Members of Council |
| Walton Street from Pine to Brown Streets | Neck-down type bump outs on both sides of the road for traffic calming. On-street parking on both sides of the road | Replace as is | n/a | Option 2 selected (replace as is) |
| Walton Street and Ontario Street | Bump outs east and west of Ontario Street (north side) and an elongated curb extension at John Street to 30m east of Ontario Street (97m total length) which creates an ‘urban plaza’ type space at Lent Lane Results in the loss of the eastbound dedicated left-turn lane and the westbound right-turn lane at Ontario Street | An elongated curb extension at John Street to 30m east of Ontario Street (97m total length) which creates an ‘urban plaza’ type space at Lent Lane and allows for the retention of a dedicated eastbound left-turn lane. Results in the loss of the westbound right-turn lane at Ontario Street | Replace as is | Option 3 selected (replace as is) |
| Walton Street and Cavan Street | Improved bump outs on the west side of the intersection (north and south side), similar to existing conditions | Remove bump outs | n/a | Option 2 selected (remove bump outs) |
| Heritage District Gateway sign | Include ‘Port Hope Heritage District’ sign at the intersection of Walton Street and Mill Street | Replace as is | n/a | Option 2 selected (replace as is) |
| Cochingomink Trail | Provide a formalized connection of the Cochingomink Trail that utilizes the existing pedestrian crossing at Queen Street | Replace as is | n/a | This option was referred back to the Waterfront and Riverwalk Working group to make a recommendation to Council at a future date |
Members of Council selected their preferred designs for Phase 2 of the Walton Street Reconstruction project with support from comprehensive community engagement that took place in the spring and fall of 2021. Construction for Phase 2 of the Walton Street project is anticipated to begin in 2023. The budget will be considered through the 2023 Municipal budget process in late fall. Staging considerations and construction scheduling for Phase 2, including outreach with the business community with respect to mitigating interruption, will take place following the completion of the detailed designs.
Council will consider these preferred options for final approval at their next meeting on Tuesday, July 5, 2022.
Phase 1 of the Walton Street Reconstruction Project (Church Street to Pine Street) is currently underway and is anticipated to last until mid-fall 2022.
A recording of the Special Meeting of the Works and Engineering Committee is available on the council webpage.
Author: Pete Fisher
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