Centennial Street Redevelopment
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 were tentative because the project includes upgrading the railway crossing at Centennial Street. This work is now scheduled for September - October, 2024. We hope to install traffic lights by the end of November 2024.
Railway crossing upgrades:
- Include 50 Avenue and Centennial Street intersection safety upgrades installation of a traffic light
- 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 2: 2024 - 2025. This phase builds on work done in 2023 as part of the 50 Avenue Redevelopment project
- Planned break: 2026 - 2026. Regardless of start time, there is a planned two year break between Phase 2 and 3
- Phase 3: Tentatively starting in 2027
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
- Make it safer for all pedestrians and drivers with traffic-calming design
- Reduce congestion and improve traffic flow
- Improve safety at the Centennial Street rail crossing
- Learn more about the improvements to accessibility
- Modernize the road and calm traffic
- Help tourism and business by giving a facelift to this important downtown corridor
Reducing construction impacts
We are completing phase 2 and 3 separately to reduce impact to the downtown core, residents, and businesses
There is a planned two year break from construction between phase 2 and 3
Construction runs from April to November, but we are limiting July and August construction wherever possible
Keeping the Centennial Street and 50 Avenue intersection open for the majority of July and August
Using the full season to get finished as fast as possible
Providing supports to help downtown businesses during construction
Keeping downtown businesses informed of construction in advance
Post detour plans here as construction moves forward
Traffic interruption notices are posted on sylvanlake.ca
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