An upgraded barrier-control parking lot is nearing completion at Elliot Street, according to the City of Hamilton.

The final infrastructure is being put in place this week, a spokeswoman said, with testing to begin next week.

The system is expected go live on February 12 for users of the EasyPark Mobile system and those using the pay stations.

New parking bays have been marked, with the facility now offering 111 regular parking spots with an increased size of 15ft by 8ft.

There are two disabled bays.

Trees have been relocated, while the lighting has been improved, and CCTV cameras installed at the entrance and exits of the car park.

The car park will be equipped with four pay stations.

The system will continue operating on a two-ticket system, but the City is exploring a one-ticket system for all barrier lots, which it plans to implement “in the near future”, the spokeswoman said.

The “minimal” bike parking at the south end of the Elliot Street lot will be removed for safety reasons.

Elliot Street car park will have its two-lane entrance on Elliot Street only. There will be no entrance from Dundonald Street.

There will be three exit lanes — two onto Dundonald Street and one onto Elliot Street.

Pricing at Elliot Street is to remain at $1 per hour, with a maximum of $5 for all-day parking.

As with the other barrier lots, motorists who leave Elliot Street car park within ten minutes will be able to scan their entry ticket for free at the exit.

However, pay stations or EasyPark Mobile must be used for stays beyond ten minutes.

Payment is made at the end of stay. Upon payment, motorists will have 15 minutes to leave the lot using their validated exit ticket.

The City apologised for any inconvenience caused during the project.