Pedestrian safety, wheelchair access and traffic-calming measures have been cited in the design changes for a major traffic artery in and out of Hamilton that has led to an array of complaints.

Dwayne Caines, the chief executive for the City of Hamilton, said yesterday the junction at Cavendish Road and Spurling Hill that leads on to Reid Street was fully reopened earlier than would have happened in “a perfect world”.

He added: “Due to public inconvenience caused by the one-lane closure, we reopened the junction slightly ahead of schedule.”

Mr Caines said the City had decided to free up the junction in an effort to “meet the public halfway” after the “bottleneck” of construction caused significant traffic delays.

He said finishing the signs and new road markings at the junction would be done “as quickly as possible” and added: “Once the final signage and markings are in place, we are confident this area will prove much safer.”

Complaints on social media highlighted an extension of the sidewalk at the southern side of Cavendish Road, which has to be negotiated by traffic entering the City.

Chris Bulley, the acting city engineer, said the traffic artery nonetheless remained fully open to dual-lane traffic.

He said designing the extra lip of sidewalk took into account “traffic-calming, especially coming to a major intersection”.

The Corporation of Hamilton announced “essential” upgrades to the junction in July, citing the need for improved traffic lights, sidewalk alterations and a new pedestrian crossing.

The existing lights were said to have come to the end of their life cycle.

Launched last month, the project faced delays — including laying down temporary road markings — owing to the recent spate of wet weather.

Mr Caines said the job was part of “a broad, long-term initiative to modernise traffic signals and road layout across the City”.

He added: “Our top priority is public safety.”

Mr Caines said that the City took feedback from overseas traffic consultants as well as “the Bermuda Government’s highway section and adjacent landowners”.

He explained that “the main improvement in this project is the introduction of a central pedestrian island”.

“This new design significantly enhances pedestrian safety and makes the crossing wheelchair accessible — an essential upgrade given the increasing pedestrian use we identified through our pre-project research.

“Before these changes, pedestrians had limited safe crossing options, which we are now addressing.”

Mr Caines said the narrowing of the carriageway at the junction was “based on best practices for urban streets, designed to encourage slower and safer driving speeds”.

“These changes are fully compliant with, and in fact exceed, international standards.”

He noted that other upgrades to roads and pavements at different parts of the City were initially unpopular and added: “We have had pretty much this level of public objection every step of the way.”

Mr Caines added: "Like many major cities around the world, we’re upgrading our ageing infrastructure to integrate the best technology available, ensuring we meet international standards and prepare for the future.“

He said the city was “phasing in” changes, but appreciated it would entail “some short-term discomfort”.

“This isn't just about meeting current needs,” he said.

“We're also focused on supporting the growing number of residents with accessibility challenges, making sure we plan inclusively for everyone.

“Our goal is to align with global trends in technology and modernisation to meet the expectations of a modern city.

“While change often brings initial public concern, our role is to standardise and future-proof our infrastructure so that residents can count on a reliable and accessible urban environment."

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Spurling Hill Remarks

• To read the Hamilton chief executive’s statement, see Related Media