Keeping up with recommendations from a safety review of the Red Hill Valley Parkway (RHVP), the City of Hamilton plans to build up the asphalt on the tightest bend, where a fatal collision occurred in 2015.
The review sparked a multi-year, high-profile, $28 million judicial inquiry, prompted by the 2019 uncovering of buried friction tests that indicated the collision-prone parkway was more slippery than presumed. It resulted in 37 recommendations to improve traffic safety, departmental culture and communication after fatal crashes.
A report addressing this particular recommendation, submitted by Brian Hollingworth, City of Hamilton acting director of public works and engineering services was presented at a recent public works committee meeting.
Among the objectives; seeking council’s approval to retain consulting firm AECOM to complete the detailed design and contract administration to implement the recommended solution to modify the “superelevation” on the area of concern, between Greenhill Avenue and King Street.
Superelevation is the banking or tilting of a road’s surface on curves, raising the outer edge relative to the inner edge, to counteract centrifugal force.
In an initial assessment in May 2025, AECOM confirmed in some areas of the aforementioned portion of the parkway, the superelevation is below six per cent – the current design standard – and recommended the city address this section to bring it to within the 2017 Transportation Association of Canada Geometric Design guidelines.
As a solution, AECOM has developed an initial strategy that involves milling the existing asphalt and adding a new layer of asphalt to bring the superelevation up to six per cent.
In the presentation it was recommended, “Due to AECOM’s prior involvement and site familiarity, they are best positioned to carry out the next phase of design and construction administration. Design work will begin upon council approval, with design completion expected in summer 2026 and construction in fall 2026.”
The estimated fee for completing the detailed design and contract administration is anticipated to be approximately $450,000.
It is also recommended in the report to retain AECOM for the detailed design and contract administration because if the city initiated a Request for Proposals process, which involves the preparation of a detailed terms of reference followed by an open bidding process, it would delay the projected construction schedule by at least a year.
As of October 2025, city staff reported that 16 of 37 action items have been completed, with the remaining 21 items to be completed by early next year.
The recommendations and action items from the RHVP judicial inquiry are grouped into eight different categories:
- Traffic safety on the RHVP and Lincoln M Alexander Parkway
- Delineating the roles and responsibilities of city staff
- The culture within the public works department
- Information sharing and communication among staff
- Staff reporting obligations
- Staff communications with media and public
- Consultant engagements and assignments
- Staff reports
“Ensuring the safety of our residents is not just a priority, it is a responsibility we take seriously. The Red Hill Valley Parkway Judicial Inquiry was a pivotal moment for our city, and we are committed to acting on its recommendations,” said Mayor Andrea Horwath in a news release.
“I am proud of the progress we’ve made, and I want to assure Hamiltonians that we are building a safer, more responsive city – one that listens, learns and leads with integrity.”
