The city will transform the southern end of one of its busiest one-way arteries, Queen Street, into a two-way traffic route.

Council voted Wednesday to direct city planners to begin design work to convert the majority of the street to two-way traffic, specifically between the Beckett Drive access and Main Street.

There was rare council unanimity for the two-way conversion — a topic that often spurs debate among councillors over the impact on neighbourhoods versus commuter traffic.

"Let's get this thing done, and let's get it done sooner rather than later," said west Mountain Coun. Terry Whitehead, who teamed up on a motion to get the project rolling with downtown Coun. Jason Farr.

Whitehead expressed hope a two-way Queen Street would help alleviate traffic congestion issues he says Mountain residents have complained about following the addition of bike lanes on Bay and Herkimer streets.

Farr helped convince more reluctant council colleagues by pitching an alternative to the tax levy to pay for design work in 2018 on the project. Council agreed to pull the estimated $1.1-million budget from red light camera fines revenue.

Farr pointed to the "second rollover in as many weeks" on Queen Street Wednesday morning, "over the sidewalk where families and seniors and children walk every day."

"A two-way Queen is just safer," he said.

Coun. Aidan Johnson exclaimed "hallelujah" when council voted to pursue the conversion without anyone expressing formal opposition.

He also publicly endorsed the traffic staff preference for a conversion that includes one northbound lane and two southbound lanes from Herkimer to Main Street. (The street is already two-way from Herkimer to the bottom of Beckett Drive.)

Whitehead had indicated he preferred a configuration that included a reversible centre lane during rush hour. He said the issue isn't a deal-breaker, but added he wants to hear more about design issues from staff.

City staff also recommended delaying any work to change the section between Main Street and King Street until the traffic implications of a planned light rail transit project become clearer.

Traffic staff has said any actual conversion is unlikely to happen in 2018, which will be largely reserved for design work.