Improvements sparked by fatal collision in Hamilton making progress

Multiple roadway changes along a stretch of Upper Paradise Road near Kordun Street were prompted by the death of a St. Thomas More student in January.

A safety review sparked by the death of a student near St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School last January has led to a number of roadway improvements along Upper Paradise between Stone Church and Rymal Roads.

Three levels of recommendations by third-party consultants the True North Safety Group were updated at a city hall committee Tuesday with some short-term fixes like sidewalk repairs and alterations in the way traffic moves to and from the school property completed.

More longer-term measures expected over several years will include adding a pedestrian signal and resurfacing parts of the corridor.

Public works director of transportation Carolyn Ryall told councillors longer-term plans also include complete road reconstruction, separated bike lanes and a lower speed limit.

“A lot of those smaller pieces of work have already been completed,” Ryall said.

“When we move into the medium and the longer term, those require a little bit more capital. They require a lot more technical resolution behind them, often design work.”

A fatal hit-and-run collision on Upper Paradise at Kordun Street in early January that killed a 15-year-old who was walking home from St. Thomas More was a catalyst in the area improvements.

Hamilton police charged another 15-year-old, who was driving a Dodge Caliber, with failing to remain at the scene.