New crosswalk proposed for St. David Street North, at St. George

FERGUS ‒ A new pedestrian crossing for St. David Street North at St. George Street is among the updated design and planning concepts for the St. David Street North Reconstruction Project. 

According to a new staff report, in addition to the new controlled crosswalk, updated designs include vehicle travel lanes, on-street parking on the west side of St. David Street North between St. Andrew Street and Hill Street, wide sidewalks and boulevards with decorative street lights, as well as continuous separated cycling/ mobility lanes, located on a platform and protected by barrier curbs with buffers. 

As outlined in the 2023 Capital Budget, the total estimated project budget in 2024 and 2025 is $8,830,000, not including an MTO's Connection Links Grant for approximately $2,849,000.

"The preferred option is a complete streets solution that balances the transportation needs of vehicles, cyclists, persons with special mobility needs, and pedestrians, while still enhancing the appearance of the streetscape and ensuring that highly-utilized parking spaces are maintained to the extent possible," said the report. "Providing members of the community with multiple options for transportation...will contribute to a vibrant, healthy, and inclusive community for residents, businesses, and visitors." 

"A high priority project," the full reconstruction will occur in two phases and include the replacement of roads and sidewalks as well as the water main, sanitary sewers, and storm sewers currently at the end of their service life.

Phase 1 construction, which includes Andrew Street just north of the Garafraxa Street intersection is set to begin in spring 2024 while Phase 2, which includes north of the Garafraxa Street intersection to Edinburgh Avenue, is scheduled for spring 2025.

The report states the project is scheduled for "substantial" completion by the end of 2025, with some finishing work in 2026.

While staff have established detours for both phases of construction, detailed information on the detours and construction schedule will be provided to residents and businesses prior to the start of Phase 1 construction.

The full report is available here. 

Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.