The Corporation of Hamilton has asked the public for opinions on a proposed project at the junction of Queen Street and Church Street.

A new walkway is in the plans to improve traffic flow and public safety, as well as the replacement of a traffic light well past its prime.

Patrick Cooper, a City of Hamilton engineer, explained: “The traffic light system at the junction of Church Street and Queen Street is almost four decades old and needs to be replaced.

“Our current system is dated and is unable to integrate with the new equipment being installed across the rest of the City to allow for smoother, safer and smarter traffic flow.

“We don’t want to simply put a Band-Aid on a significant problem, essentially kicking the can down the road.

“It’s about being proactive with our ageing infrastructure.”

The project would involve adding a “split cycle and offset optimisation technique” – or Scoot – into the junction.

The junction currently holds a small raised garden with a tree in its centre.

The Scoot, which is used around the world, will use sensors to quickly adjust traffic lights to vehicle and pedestrian traffic, allowing for a more efficient flow.

Other changes will include more green spaces, redesigning vehicle parking and pedestrian crossing, adding more shaded shelters, and more landscaping in Freedom Square and the Par-la-Ville car park entrance.

Mr Cooper said that the project would require “major works”, including trenching and kerbside reconfiguration.

He added that the project gave the corporation an opportunity to make overall improvements to the City.

“Hamilton is the heart of Bermuda and this project impacts us all,” Mr Cooper said.

“It’s vitally important to conduct a grass-roots level of consultation because there may be things that weren’t accounted for in the plans — a different perspective, cultural sensitivity, or practical observation.”

He added: “While the biggest impetus for us is improved public safety through better traffic management, a bonus coming out of this project is urban place-making.

“We want to ensure we are doing the best we can for that area from an urban design perspective.

“What we want to end up with is a plan that combines intelligent traffic management with considered design solutions that really pulls technology and urban design together.”

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The public has been encouraged to view the plans on the City’s website, under “stakeholder information”, and provide feedback throughout the month by e-mailing consultation@cityhall.bm.

They are also encouraged to visit the City’s project information booth at Pier 6 on Thursday between 11am and 2pm to learn more about the project and provide feedback.