There are some big changes coming to Hamilton roads downtown, as city council voted to immediately enhance safety measures on Main and King Streets.

The city will eventually convert Main Street to two-way traffic, in response to the recent rise in pedestrian injuries and deaths.

Protesters took to Main Street today voicing their message to drivers. The protest was held about a kilometre down the road from where the DARTS bus driver was killed last week. Those attending the rally today say they were thinking of the loved ones lost in this city.

Council voted 13-1 and passed councillor Maureen Wilson and Nrinder Nann’s motion, which means immediate action will be taken.

City staff are now identifying measures that can be taken to improve safety right away to prevent any further fatal crashes, such as expanding pedestrian space, temporary lane reductions, reducing the speed limit and reviewing the synchronized traffic signals.

By 2023, staff will report back with an implementation plan for the two-way conversion of Main Street.

Councillor Lloyd Ferguson was opposed to the idea.

“I want to get factual data because I’m going to get clobbered by the people of Ancaster who use Main Street to go to work,” Ferguson said.

The city’s chief road official tells CHCH News the implementation plan will be shared with council early next year.

Councillor Nann said the majority of pedestrians who were hit in Hamilton were legally crossing the road.

In the past 5 years council said 70 lives were lost on city streets. Twenty-six were pedestrians and two were cyclists.