Region asking residents for feedback on possible ramp closures to improve safety at Lancaster Street and Highway 85

Waterloo Region – The Region of Waterloo, in cooperation with the Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO), is undertaking an Environmental Assessment to consider the closure of the ramps connecting Lancaster Street and Highway 85 in Kitchener.

The highway section on southbound Highway 85, where traffic from Bridgeport Road merges on and the traffic exiting to Lancaster Street diverges, is short and creates a weaving section known to have a high number of collisions. This condition reduces highway speed and capacity and makes for problematic traffic operations. Removing the ramps would create safer traffic operations on the highway in this area.  

Additionally, the ramps connecting southbound Highway 85 to southbound Lancaster Street and northbound Lancaster Street to northbound Highway 85 create a condition on Lancaster Street where cyclists and pedestrians cross free-flowing traffic on the ramps. This creates a conflict between vulnerable users and the vehicles on the ramps. Removing the ramps will allow for a safer and more comfortable separated cycling facility on Lancaster Street across the bridge.

In order to achieve the benefits of the increased safety of motorists on Highway 85 and the increased safety and comfort of pedestrians and cyclists on Lancaster Street, the Region is evaluating the impacts of a potential closure of the ramps.

The Region is asking residents to provide feedback by completing the online form on Engagewr.ca by December 19.  

Please subscribe to the project page for updates and future engagement opportunities.

Staff will consider public input, together with technical studies and best practices, to develop a recommendation and present a report to Regional Council for approval once the Environmental Assessment Study is complete in early 2023.  

For more project details, visit www.engagewr.ca/lancaster-85-ramps.

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