The City of Calgary is investing in 17 Avenue S. by upgrading utilities, the roadway and the public realm including sidewalks, street lights and more. Construction on 17 Avenue is set to begin the week of April 17 (weather dependent).
“You know 17th Ave as one of Calgary’s most popular destinations,” project manager, Logan Tolsma said. “And we want to keep it that way by giving the avenue some much needed upgrades.”
Work on the avenue is expected to last three to four years. In 2017, construction will begin at Macleod Trail and move west to 5 Street S.W. Upgrades include:
Utilities – Upgrade the water and sanitary lines. This work supports future growth and development in the area. Completing the utilities at the same time as the road minimizes future disruption.
Road – The road is nearing the end of its life cycle and needs to be rebuilt. The City is also updating the design to make the avenue safer, with new traffic lanes designs; better lighting and crossings at intersections; and curb extensions on side streets.
Sidewalks – From Macleod Trail to 2 Street S.W., The City is burying power lines, replacing the sidewalk and adding features like LED lighting and new trees. West of 2 Street S.W., The City will repair cracked concrete, replace the old lighting with new poles and upgrade to LED lights.
All this work takes time and coordination. Full road closures on each block are necessary, while road and utility work is happening. The street will begin to reopen to traffic during sidewalk work.
The City recently worked with the business community in early 2017, to improve the original two-year construction schedule. The result is a new schedule that better balances the needs of the businesses, surrounding community, and the goals of the construction project.
“All this work is necessary so 17 Avenue S. can continue serving Calgary and businesses for decades to come, but the work still needs to happen,” Logan explains. “It’s not ideal, but we’ll continue to work with businesses and communities in the area, while we review how we approach construction after 2017.”
The City is supporting businesses on a number of fronts, including a robust marketing plan that includes wayfinding and promotion of how to access the avenue during construction. The City has also enlisted Blank Page Studio to work with area stakeholders to create exciting temporary public art projects and events along 17 Avenue for the duration of the project.
More details on the project including a detailed 2017 construction schedule can be found at Calgary.ca/17Avenue. Soon an interactive map will be available online to help Calgarians navigate construction and get to their favourite spots.
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