Please see the following speed data results that can be shared.
- Summary of any speed data collected on Upper Centennial Parkway between Ridge Rd. & Rymal Rd: See attached “Summary” excel sheet for more information
| Location Description | Avg Speed (km/h) | 85th %tile (km/h) | Year |
| Upper Centennial Pkwy – Ridge Road to Rymal Road | |||
| Upper Centennial Pkwy btwn Highland Rd and Mud St | 78.4 | 92.3 | 2025 |
| Upper Centennial Pkwy btwn Highgate Dr and Fortinos Access | 65.2 | 76.4 | 2025 |
| Upper Centennial Pkwy btwn Green Mountain Rd and Ridge Rd | 74.2 | 87.9 | 2024 |
| Upper Centennial Pkwy, between Green Mountain Rd and Mud St | 64 | 75.6 | 201 |
Improving Safety on Upper Centennial Parkway
Many of you have reached out with concerns about safety along Upper Centennial Parkway, especially following recent tragic collisions. We want to provide clear information about what has happened, what the City has reviewed, and the steps being taken to improve safety on this important corridor.
About Upper Centennial Parkway
Upper Centennial Parkway has long been one of the mountain’s most important north–south connections. Historically, it functioned as part of Highway 20, linking Hamilton with the Niagara Region. Following provincial highway downloading in the late 1990s, responsibility for the roadway shifted to the Region of Hamilton–Wentworth, and it was later assumed by the City of Hamilton.
For many years, Upper Centennial Parkway served mainly as a regional connector. However, with the rapid growth of Upper Stoney Creek, its role has changed dramatically. New neighbourhoods, schools, parks, and commercial plazas have increased the number of local trips along the corridor, while it continues to carry significant commuter and goods movement traffic. The result is a road that now functions as both a major arterial route and a community street, creating challenges for balancing mobility, safety, and access.
The primary opportunity for enhancing safety in the long term will be the planned reconstruction of Upper Centennial Parkway, which will urbanize the corridor and transition it from a former highway into a roadway more suitable for the evolving needs of the community. This reconstruction will allow for a design that prioritizes safety, active transportation, transit, and local access while still serving its role as a key arterial connection.
Recent Collisions
Sadly, Upper Centennial Parkway has seen two tragic collisions this year.
On August 28, 2025, a vehicle turning onto Upper Centennial Parkway near Highgate Avenue lost control, crossed into the northbound lanes, and struck another car. Two people were killed and two others were injured. Police have confirmed that the intersection itself was not a factor in this crash.
Earlier, on June 1, 2025, a three-vehicle collision further south on Upper Centennial Parkway also resulted in two fatalities. Following the investigation, Hamilton Police laid multiple charges against one of the drivers involved, including impaired and dangerous driving as well as excessive speeding.
These collisions have had a profound impact on our community and serve as a reminder of the importance of safe roadway design, effective enforcement, and responsible driving behaviour.
Police Enforcement
In response to the recent collisions and ongoing concerns about speeding and aggressive driving, Hamilton Police have increased their presence along Upper Centennial Parkway.
Between September 15 and 19, 2025, the Hamilton Police Traffic Safety Unit carried out a focused enforcement campaign. Over the course of just one week, officers issued 57 traffic-related charges, addressing offences such as speeding, stunt driving, and other unsafe behaviours.
This type of targeted enforcement is one of the immediate tools available to help improve safety on the roadway. While enforcement alone cannot prevent every collision, it plays an important role in holding drivers accountable and reinforcing the need for responsible driving.
What the City Has Reviewed
- Collision history (2020–2024): Data shows a variety of collision types across the corridor, with particular concentrations at Green Mountain Road, Mud Street, and Highland Road.
- Speed data (2024–2025): Average speeds range between 65–78 km/h, with 85th percentile speeds as high as 92 km/h. This reinforces the need to address speeding along the corridor.
- Traffic signal warrant at Highgate Drive (April 2025): A full study was completed, and results showed a traffic signal was not warranted based on provincial guidelines.
Improvements Already Made
In recent years, the City has implemented a number of safety and operational upgrades on Upper Centennial Parkway, including:
- New traffic signal north of Mud Street (2023).
- Modernized traffic signals at Rymal Road (2021) and Mud Street (2020–2022).
- AODA accessibility upgrades, crosswalk ladder bars, and curb bump-outs at multiple intersections.
- Speed limit reduction from 70 km/h to 60 km/h between Highland Road and Rymal Road (2016).
- Additional warning flashers and “Signal Ahead” signage to improve driver awareness.
Planned Improvements
Looking ahead, several projects are planned:
- Intersection modernization at Upper Centennial & Highland Road (design complete): will include new traffic signal hardware, accessibility treatments, and turn lane adjustments.
- In-service road safety review at Mud Street (Fall 2025): short-term safety measures to be implemented immediately, with medium/long-term changes tied to the corridor’s future reconstruction.
- Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE): Council approved rotation of ASE cameras on Upper Centennial between Highland and Rymal, though the program may be adjusted depending on Provincial legislation.
- Full corridor reconstruction (2028): major rehabilitation projects between Mud Street and Green Mountain Road, and from Rymal to Mud Street, including road resurfacing, water/storm upgrades, and transit improvements.
- Speed limit harmonization: The corridor is recommended to have a consistent posted speed of 60 km/h. By-law amendments will be processed in October, with signage changes to follow Council approval.
Commitment to Road Safety
Improving safety on Upper Centennial Parkway is part of the City’s broader commitment under the Vision Zero Action Plan. Vision Zero is a global approach that recognizes that serious injuries and deaths on our roadways are preventable, not inevitable.
Hamilton’s plan focuses on reducing high-risk behaviours like speeding and impaired driving, while also improving the design of our streets, expanding options for walking, cycling, and transit, and ensuring enforcement and education remain strong.
The goal is simple but ambitious: to eliminate traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries across Hamilton. Each project, whether large corridor reconstructions or smaller safety enhancements, is one step toward that goal.
Residents can expect that the safety upgrades being planned for Upper Centennial Parkway — combined with enforcement and ongoing monitoring — are part of this long-term, city-wide effort to make our streets safer for everyone.
Closing
Thank you to everyone who has shared concerns and observations. Your input helps guide where we focus improvements and ensures that safety remains at the forefront of decision-making. We will continue to provide updates as projects move forward.
Brad Clark Report 