Centennial Street Redevelopment

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The 50 Street Redevelopment Project upgrades 50 Street from Lakeshore Drive to 48 Avenue. Upgrades include new infrastructure (road surface), underground infrastructure (utilities), sidewalks, and landscaping. All downtown businesses in the 50 Avenue Redevelopment construction area are open. Because the railway crossing upgrades are out of our control, project dates are tentative and may change. The project has two phases running from 2023 to 2027. There is a planned two year break for 2025 and 2026 (visual timeline).

Railway Crossing

Construction dates cannot be set because the project includes upgrading the railway crossing at Centennial Street. Railway crossing upgrades:

  • Must be approved by Transport Canada. We are waiting on approval
  • Must be approved and scheduled by CN Rail
  • Are performed by CN Rail on CN Rail's schedule




When?

  • Phase 1a & 1b: Tentatively starting in 2024. This phase builds on work done in 2023 as part of the 50 Avenue Redevelopment project
  • Planned break: Regardless of start time, there is a planned two year break between Phase 1 and 2
  • Phase 2: Tentatively starting in 2027, but depends on the start time of Phase 1


Why?

  • The roadway and underground utilities are past the end of their life cycle
    • It is cheaper to replace aging underground infrastructure before it fails
    • Some water and sewer mains are over forty years old
    • Save money by upgrading landscaping and sidewalks at the same time as the road
  • Improve accessibility
  • Modernize the road and calm traffic
  • Help tourism and business by giving a facelift to this important downtown corridor

Reducing construction impacts

Why is the 50 Street area important?

  • It is the heart of our historic downtown core

  • 50 Street supports heavy use by residents and visitors

  • As population and traffic increases

  • We need new underground infrastructure to meet demand

  • Making the railway crossing safer is important

  • Fulfills Council's strategy:
    • To provide a safe area for residents and visitors to enjoy while promoting businesses and downtown
    • To create an environment that invites people to explore businesses off Lakeshore Drive
    • Vision: The Town of Sylvan Lake is a thriving, connected lakeside community that is resident focused, visitor friendly, and THE place to do business
    • Mission: Deliver responsible municipal services and infrastructure that support an outstanding quality of life, unforgettable experiences, and a strong, diverse economy

  • This project helps to fulfill goals in the Town's REIMAGINE SYLVAN, Sustainable Waterfront Area Redevelopment Plan (SWARP)


Learn about the project

The 50 Street Redevelopment Project upgrades 50 Street from Lakeshore Drive to 48 Avenue. Upgrades include new infrastructure (road surface), underground infrastructure (utilities), sidewalks, and landscaping. All downtown businesses in the 50 Avenue Redevelopment construction area are open. Because the railway crossing upgrades are out of our control, project dates are tentative and may change. The project has two phases running from 2023 to 2027. There is a planned two year break for 2025 and 2026 (visual timeline).

Railway Crossing

Construction dates cannot be set because the project includes upgrading the railway crossing at Centennial Street. Railway crossing upgrades:

  • Must be approved by Transport Canada. We are waiting on approval
  • Must be approved and scheduled by CN Rail
  • Are performed by CN Rail on CN Rail's schedule




When?

  • Phase 1a & 1b: Tentatively starting in 2024. This phase builds on work done in 2023 as part of the 50 Avenue Redevelopment project
  • Planned break: Regardless of start time, there is a planned two year break between Phase 1 and 2
  • Phase 2: Tentatively starting in 2027, but depends on the start time of Phase 1


Why?

  • The roadway and underground utilities are past the end of their life cycle
    • It is cheaper to replace aging underground infrastructure before it fails
    • Some water and sewer mains are over forty years old
    • Save money by upgrading landscaping and sidewalks at the same time as the road
  • Improve accessibility
  • Modernize the road and calm traffic
  • Help tourism and business by giving a facelift to this important downtown corridor

Reducing construction impacts

Why is the 50 Street area important?

  • It is the heart of our historic downtown core

  • 50 Street supports heavy use by residents and visitors

  • As population and traffic increases

  • We need new underground infrastructure to meet demand

  • Making the railway crossing safer is important

  • Fulfills Council's strategy:
    • To provide a safe area for residents and visitors to enjoy while promoting businesses and downtown
    • To create an environment that invites people to explore businesses off Lakeshore Drive
    • Vision: The Town of Sylvan Lake is a thriving, connected lakeside community that is resident focused, visitor friendly, and THE place to do business
    • Mission: Deliver responsible municipal services and infrastructure that support an outstanding quality of life, unforgettable experiences, and a strong, diverse economy

  • This project helps to fulfill goals in the Town's REIMAGINE SYLVAN, Sustainable Waterfront Area Redevelopment Plan (SWARP)


Learn about the project

  • Council visits downtown businesses

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    On April 25, Council and staff visited downtown businesses impacted by the Centennial Street project. We spoke with management and owners in person to answer questions and share an invite to the May 7 open house.

    What we did:

    • Visited 31 businesses
      • Along Centennial Street from Lakeshore Drive to 50 Avenue
      • Along 50 Avenue from Centennial Street to 49 Street
    • Delivered a flyer giving notice of May 7 open house

    Missed this visit?

    • No problem! We are sending out the same information that in-person visits received.
    • It will arrive by Canada Post sometime after May 1, 2024

  • Business Engagement May 7, 2024

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    We're looking forward to meeting with local business owners on May 7 to discuss Centennial Street! Town staff, project partners, and some Council members are attending to chat and answer project questions.

    Why?

    • To keep you informed!
    • Public sessions will showcase storyboards, 3D renderings, plans, and more
    • Attendees can ask questions about the project as well
    • Additional meetings will occur in the future
    • Those unable to attend can request meetings at a later date

    When?

    • May 7, 2024
    • Two sessions
      • 10:00 AM - Noon
      • 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

    Where?

    What else?

    • Work continues in 2024. There is a planned two-year break for 2025 and 2026
    • Visit us online for additional details and future updates!

    Questions?

    • Visit the project Ask & Answered to send us a question about the Centennial Street project

    Media contact

  • March 18, 2024 Update - Aerial Survey Tomorrow

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    Our engineering and landscape architecture consultant is completing an aerial survey using drones. Certified drone operators are completing the work with equipment approved by Transport Canada.

    Why?
    • The imagery will help us develop streetscaping design concepts for the Centennial Street project

    Where?

    • Centennial Street from the railway tracks to Lakeshore Drive

    • 50 Avenue from Centennial Street to 49 Avenue

    When?

    • 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, March 19, 2024

    • No road closures

    Questions?

    • Visit the project Ask & Answered to send us a question about the aerial survey or the Centennial Street project

    Media contact

     

  • Progress on supporting downtown businesses

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    As planning and the project moves forward, we post meeting dates and participants here.

    May 7, 2024

    Mailing April 29 - May 1, 2024

    • Delivering details shared by in person visits directly via Canada Post
    • Businesses from Lakeshore Drive to 50 Avenue

    April 24, 2024

    • In person business visits:
    • Staff attending: Town of Sylvan Lake Project manager, members of Council
    • Downtown attending: We were able to visit the majority of businesses. We spoke with management or owners in person to share information and answer questions

    April - May 2024

    • Upcoming communication:
      • Information about 50 Avenue and Centennial Street intersection construction
      • Notice of May 7 open house
    • Staff attending: Town of Sylvan Lake Project manager, members of Council (TBD)
    • Downtown attending: TBD as available

    September 2023

    • Detail: Notice of intersection construction and Centennial Street project
    • Staff attending: Town of Sylvan Lake Project manager and Communication Assistant. Stantec project manager
    • Downtown attending: C.A.M. Nails, Shear Envy, Yellow Shirt Relics, Sylvan Lake Barber Shop, The B Nest, Eclectica Fashion, Once Again Consignment

  • Help for Downtown During Construction

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    The Centennial Street project is an investment in the future of downtown. It helps downtown businesses by increasing accessibility. But is a community effort.

    We all must do our part to improve our community:

    Residents

    • Continue to support downtown businesses
    • Be cautious around the construction site to keep workers safe
    • Share this page so others can find accurate information

    Businesses and property owners

    • Create a construction strategy. Plan for extra marketing.
    • Learn about the construction to help inform their construction strategy
    • Participate in project events and meetings with the Town
    • Register on engage.sylvanlake.ca and follow this project
    • Ask questions in the Ask & Answered
    • Talk with our Economic Development Officer to get connected with business supports
    • Bring concerns to our project manager or construction foreman
    • Partner with and support other downtown businesses. For example, participate in the Tourism Partnership Program

    Town of Sylvan Lake


    Questions?

    • Ask questions

  • Roadway Modernization, Accessibility, and Traffic Calming

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    The new Centennial Street design looks more inviting, calms traffic, and improves safety.

    Increased accessibility

    • Wider sidewalks on both sides: More space for improved accessibility, outdoor street furniture, and pedestrian experience

    • Smoother sidewalks: Removing the trench gates for downspouts

    • Accessible stalls: Better positioned handicap parking stalls

    • Low profile rolled curbs: Makes entering and exiting a parked vehicle easier for all users

    • Traffic signal beeps: Audibles signals for vision impaired

    • Wider ramps at pedestrian crossings: Makes navigating with wheelchairs, assistive devices, and strollers easier

    • Textured pads at pedestrian crossings: Textured pads allow visually impaired persons to feel the end of the sidewalk

    • Improved building entrances: Smooth building entrances with no steps

    • New rooftop downspouts: Look better and make winter walking safer

    • Improved seating


    Improved pedestrian walkability and safety

    • Adding crosswalks and curb bulb-outs: Why are bulb outs safer? They let pedestrians look past parked cars before crossing while staying off the road. The bulb outs also let drivers see walkers more easily

    • Lower speed limit: 30 Km/h on Centennial Street (from Lakeshore Drive to 48 Avenue)

    • New street lighting: Increases visibility

    • New traffic lights: Lights at Centennial Street and 50 Avenue synchronize with the CN railway gates. Lights also have audible signals for the vision impaired

    • Lowered congestion: Lights at Centennial Street and Lakeshore Drive are programmable to improve flow during road closures and events. This light uses a scramble style pedestrian crossing. This crossing style lowers accident rates.



    Greenery and water conservation

    • We are planting new trees in soil cells to keep the trees healthy and growing. Soil cells have subdrains for watering

    • Soil cells:

    • Conserve water. They harvest water from sidewalks through permeable pavers and rooftop downspouts

    • Can be installed at much shallow grades than standard storm water pipes so roads can be built directly above. This means that no extra space is needed to significantly improve the road and sidewalk

    • Provide a space for root systems to grow without damaging surrounding infrastructure

    • Are filled with engineered soils. This soil cleans run off water run before it enters our storm water and Sylvan Lake

    • Slow down how fast storm water moves through the system. The trees planted in the cells drink a lot of water, which reduces storm water levels


    Aesthetic enhancements

    • New raised flower beds.

    • New trees planted strategically to allow access and views of businesses and still provide shade and greenery.

    • Improved open spaces to allow for art displays, event staging, or business displays along sidewalks.

    • Improved seating and amenities for the public

    • Decorative bollards


    What's staying the same

    • 2-way traffic
    • Parallel parking along both sides of the road


  • Budget

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    The Centennial Street Modernization is one of the Town's biggest projects. It cannot be completed in one construction season and was split into 3 phases.

    Total budget to date: $16,254,000

    Phase 3

    Phase 2

    Phase 1


    Questions?

Page last updated: 09 May 2024, 02:23 PM