Davenport Road Reconstruction

Davenport Road Reconstruction
Northfield Drive to Lexington Road, Waterloo
Cost: $2.9 Million
Anticipated Construction: Spring 2010
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Governments of Canada and Ontario infrastructure investments = green light for Davenport Road Project
Waterloo, ON | February 13, 2009 | http://waterloo.ca/desktopdefault.as...ew&ItemId=1027

The City of Waterloo learned today that it will be receiving joint funding from the federal and provincial governments as part of the Building Canada Fund – Communities Component, a fund created to invest in infrastructure across Canada.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $966,413 in the project. The municipality of Waterloo will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $2,899,239. This funding will allow upgrading on Davenport Road that will see the road reconfigured into a multi-use corridor that would reduce travel speeds, provide on-road bicycle lanes, and improve the pedestrian and trail network.

“We are pleased and excited to have this joint funding in place. This is great news for the City of Waterloo,” says Mayor Brenda Halloran. “Thanks to this federal, provincial and municipal funding model, we can get started on making Davenport a better road for the pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles that travel it.”

Construction will take place on Davenport Road between Lexington and Northfield. The project will include asphalt resurfacing, installation of traffic calming measures, landscaped medians, bike lanes, intersection improvements, and turning lanes, as well as pedestrian links, crosswalks, and islands. It is expected that the project will get underway in 2009 with expected completion in the summer or fall of 2010. These improvement opportunities were identified in a 2006 Class EA study, but would not have been possible at this time without this joint investment.

"I am very pleased that the people of our community will benefit from this significant investment,” says Kitchener-Waterloo MP Peter Braid. “As a result of this important funding partnership between all levels of government, we are delivering results for the people of Kitchener-Waterloo when we need it the most.”

Adds Mayor Halloran, “This funding enables upgrades that have been recommended to support traffic calming and to increase the level of active transportation in the area, and to Conestoga Mall. I am thrilled that we are among the communities throughout the province that will benefit from this significant joint funding.”

This news came as part of a joint announcement by The Honourable John Baird, Canada's Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Minister and the Honourable George Smitherman, Ontario's Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. More than $1 billion has been directed for 289 infrastructure projects in Ontario communities with populations of fewer than 100,000 people. These projects across the province will create jobs, help stimulate the economy and improve the quality of life of Ontarians.

Waterlooer · 04-16-2010 11:32 PM

That's a road that NEEDS to be reconstructed. The road is way too bumpy, is dangerour, and doesn't look the best in general. Do you know when the constructon will begin?

Urbanomicon · 04-17-2010 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by Waterlooer

That's a road that NEEDS to be reconstructed. The road is way too bumpy, is dangerour, and doesn't look the best in general. Do you know when the constructon will begin?

The most current date we have is Spring/Summer 2010. It is not posted on the "Roads to be Closed" list for Waterloo yet (ie. they haven't issued a road closure permit), so I don't think they have chosen the exact start date.

Urbanomicon · 04-27-2010 10:16 AM

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT FOR 2010 ROAD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS
REGION OF WATERLOO TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES: Design and Construction
TO: Chair Jim Wideman and Members of the Planning and Works Committee
DATE: April 27, 2010
Report: E-10-046

APPENDIX A-2: 2010 Construction on Major Roads in the City of Waterloo
Project | Managed By | Limits | Traffic Restrictions | Timing
Davenport Road Improvements | City | Lexington Road to Northfield Drive | Periodic lane closures | Spring to Summer 2010

zanate · 04-27-2010 12:01 PM

I was biking along Lexington past Davenport the other day, and talked to a lady with a clipboard doing a traffic census there. According to her, "they" are either planning or considering placing a roundabout at the Lexington/Davenport intersection. My best guess is that this would be done as part of the Davenport reconstruction.

I also saw another traffic census person at the intersection of Lexington and Dearborn, though I didn't talk to him.

Urbanomicon · 04-27-2010 12:03 PM

Welcome Zanate! Thanks for the update.

UrbanWaterloo · 05-18-2010 01:28 PM

Waterloo Council Meeting May 17, 2010 6:30 PM
Packet: http://www.waterloo.ca/Portals/57ad7...il_Meeting.pdf
Revised Packet: http://www.waterloo.ca/Portals/57ad7...il_Meeting.pdf

12. STAFF REPORTS

d) Davenport Road Environmental Assessment Addendum | Page 170
Report No: PWS2010-028
Prepared By: Chris Hodgson
Presentation: 1) Chris Hodgson, Project Manager, Captial Projects & Services
2) Jim Mallett, Vice President, Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited
Delegation: 1) Michelle Doornbosch, Planner Zelinka Priamo Ltd. | Page R22
Recommendation: “That PWS2010-028 be approved and that City of Waterloo Council approve the Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Addendum for the portion of Davenport Road between Northfield Drive and Old Abbey Road, and direct Staff to file the Addendum for the 30 day review period.

Former Proposal

Background
...
The EA Addendum would focus on the following design changes:
1. Roundabout at Davenport Road and Old Abbey Road intersection.
2. Reduce one southbound travel lane between Northfield Drive and Old Abbey Road to provide space for on-road bicycle lanes.

IEFBR14 · 05-18-2010 04:11 PM

Out of concern for cyclist safety and in light of proposed provincial legislation to mandate that cars give cyclists more room, ISTM a much better solution would be to use some or all of the 3.25m (~10') wide empty strip for cyclists. Since it's elevated from the roadway it would address cyclist safety issues. At 3.25m there's even enough room for a small barrier between pedestrians and cyclists, e.g. using paving bricks that protrude slightly (or something similar.)

mpd618 · 05-18-2010 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by IEFBR14

Out of concern for cyclist safety and in light of proposed provincial legislation to mandate that cars give cyclists more room, ISTM a much better solution would be to use some or all of the 3.25m (~10') wide empty strip for cyclists. Since it's elevated from the roadway it would address cyclist safety issues. At 3.25m there's even enough room for a small barrier between pedestrians and cyclists, e.g. using paving bricks that protrude slightly (or something similar.)

The only thing I see in that strip is power lines and lighting. If those were placed in the buffer between pedestrians and cyclists, it could work. I think this would be a much better solution than more unbuffered bike lanes.

Greg Moore · 05-19-2010 09:44 PM

Originally Posted by IEFBR14

Out of concern for cyclist safety and in light of proposed provincial legislation to mandate that cars give cyclists more room, ISTM a much better solution would be to use some or all of the 3.25m (~10') wide empty strip for cyclists. Since it's elevated from the roadway it would address cyclist safety issues. At 3.25m there's even enough room for a small barrier between pedestrians and cyclists, e.g. using paving bricks that protrude slightly (or something similar.)

More cement/asphalt. It's an expense I can't see government going for.

Waterlooer · 06-12-2010 06:28 PM

Does anyone know the exact date of when this project will start? I have a feeling they wont construct..

Waterlooer · 07-30-2010 12:24 PM

I emailed the Project Manager to ask when the construction is anticipated to begin and he gave me a PDF file that shares all the information about the project as well as the date it's expected to begin. It says it "is planned to commence on or about Monday August 9, 2010". Here is the link to the file: http://www.city.waterloo.on.ca/Porta...S_July2010.doc

UrbanWaterloo · 08-13-2010 02:08 PM

August 11, 2010

Waterlooer · 08-30-2010 02:07 PM

I was on Davenport Road today... I saw they have the curbs all done (or most of them) for the median.

This is off topic but I'm a senior member now!

Is senior member the highest ranking someone can be?

Urbanomicon · 08-30-2010 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by Waterlooer

This is off topic but I'm a senior member now!

Is senior member the highest ranking someone can be?

As far as I know, yes. Aside from being a moderator. There might be another level at 1000 posts, but no non-moderator has got that high yet.

Waterlooer · 09-12-2010 10:55 AM

On Davenport Road they now have the one side paved and now cars are moving northbound on the newly paved section. The curb for the median looks complete for the side going northbound. For the traffic going southbound, cars are still travelling along where they were but the dug up that side of the road (just dirt and gravel now). It's a very slow bumpy ride and can't imagine GRT going down there (did they change the route?). Construction is now being started for the old southbound lane.

GGHTransit · 09-13-2010 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by Waterlooer

On Davenport Road they now have the one side paved and now cars are moving northbound on the newly paved section. The curb for the median looks complete for the side going northbound. For the traffic going southbound, cars are still travelling along where they were but the dug up that side of the road (just dirt and gravel now). It's a very slow bumpy ride and can't imagine GRT going down there (did they change the route?). Construction is now being started for the old southbound lane.

GRT dd not chnage the route 12...eariler we just greased up the sides of the buses to squeeze past the pylons. Seriously though, if we moved the 12 we'd end up throwing our schedule 'completely' out the window, the only detour options are Northfield, Bridge, Lexington or Northfield, King, Columbia, Lexington.

Waterlooer · 10-20-2010 04:07 PM

Davenport Road looking good. All paved from Old Abby to Lexington... the 4 lane road finally is 2 lanes. The median is all done (except for vegetation), and the cars move at a slower speed. No bike lanes yet.

ON-Inspector · 10-26-2010 09:56 PM

Hi, new to the forum and sorry for the hijack, but you'll also notice Bearinger Road is now 2 lanes all the way from Albert to Westmount (only with paint). Surface asphalt was placed 2 weeks ago, and line painting was completed last week.

Waterlooer · 10-26-2010 10:02 PM

Originally Posted by ON-Inspector

Hi, new to the forum and sorry for the hijack, but you'll also notice Bearinger Road is now 2 lanes all the way from Albert to Westmount (only with paint). Surface asphalt was placed 2 weeks ago, and line painting was completed last week.

Welcome to Wonderful Waterloo! ... and thanks for the update.