Drivers in London may have to get use to another one way street as a proposed pilot project looks to transform Dundas Place into a two-way cycling route.
A staff report going to the city's civic works committee next week calls for the stretch of Dundas Street between Ridout and Wellington streets to be limited to eastbound traffic only. That will allow for two east and west bike lanes. The single lane of traffic would be shifted to the centre of the street with the bike lanes on either side of it.
Proposed changes to make Dundas Place a one-way street. Image courtesy of the City of London.
"Bicycle lane barriers would be limited based on traffic conditions and to retain the flexibility of the street for programming should events be permitted under COVID-19 restrictions. Where necessary, planters are being considered for this purpose," the report reads.
The temporary changes are being considered as construction of the downtown loop portion of the city's bus rapid transit (BRT) system is scheduled to begin in the spring. The upcoming work has meant the removal of the King Street bike lane and the changes on Dundas would provide a safer option for cyclists through the downtown.
Despite the current 30 km/h speed limit on Dundas, cyclists have voiced concerns to the city that they do not feel safe biking along the flex-street as is. As eastbound vehicular traffic on the street is 50 to 133 per cent higher than westbound, the decision was put forward to eliminate traffic heading west in favour of additional bike lanes.
Parking and loading zones on Dundas would not be affected by the proposed changes. However, the city is also considering switching the parking from two-hour paid parking available through the Honk app to one-hour free parking.
"Reducing the length of time will create more turn-over of the parking, aligned with the flexible nature of Dundas Place," the report states.
Vehicles in need of longer term parking can still use side streets and nearby off-street lots.
If city council approves the one-year pilot project the changes would be in place by April.
