City staff hid Red Hill safety report for 6 years and Hamiltonians are angry

After city staff admitted Wednesday that a damning report on the safety of the Red Hill Valley Parkway was shelved for six years, they have issued an apology to city councillors and the public. 

Hamiltonians on social media have responded to that apology with anger.

The city issued a statement saying it only just uncovered a November 2013 report from Tradewind Scientific — a report that has been kept secret even from city councillors​.

That report tested the friction of the highway and found levels along Red Hill were below expected standards and in some places, well below. Dan McKinnon is general manager of public works, but wasn't in 2013. He said staff came across the report while planning upgrades to the highway.

Here's how the city responded:

• The highway's speed limit from 90 km/h to 80 Wednesday.
• It approved a consultant to usher major "rehabilitation" measures for the Red Hill Valley Parkway and the Lincoln Alexander Parkway including spending millions for medians, barriers and better lighting on the Red Hill.
• The city will expedite a resurfacing of the highway planned for the spring.

Here's how people in Hamilton have responded on social media to news that the report was hidden for years.