Small Road & Infrastructure Construction

[KevinL]

One big note: the Stirling intersection will be closed entirely, with the exception of the slip road on Stirling along the housefronts (which also keeps the Iron Horse Trail open).

Stirling is now (almost) completely reopen, and the 3, 11, and 22 are off detour. Courtland remains closed to about Borden, so the 8 is still on detour.

[panamaniac]

That was impressively quick work.

[KevinL]

That was impressively quick work.

I'm sure the pressure to reopen a major intersection, plus the very favourable weather, assisted.

[panamaniac]

I'm sure the pressure to reopen a major intersection, plus the very favourable weather, assisted.

True. I actually benefitted from the closure when I was in town the other week as I took the detour and discovered the many joys of Madison Ave (), including a new business that makes leather sofas and another that does custom cabinetry, including Murphy beds. I plan to visit both when I move back to Kitchener this summer. Maybe a chance to engage in two favourite activities - shopping and supporting local business!

[1231]

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[zanate]

There is a new utility pole installed in the right-hand lane of Davenport, northbound at Old Abbey. Traffic is detoured into the median. When I quizzed the construction worker checking the cones around it if that meant the curbs would be rebuilt, he said that they've started work on a roundabout at the intersection.

Guess that'll fix the disaster they made of the bike lanes at that spot!

[markster]

There is a new utility pole installed in the right-hand lane of Davenport, northbound at Old Abbey. Traffic is detoured into the median. When I quizzed the construction worker checking the cones around it if that meant the curbs would be rebuilt, he said that they've started work on a roundabout at the intersection.

Guess that'll fix the disaster they made of the bike lanes at that spot!

That one already has a light! It's the other intersections south on Davenport that need roundabouts! Escaping from Zher's takes forever when some left-turner hogs the whole lane...

[UrbanWaterloo]

Traffic calming on Willow Wood Drive
June 12, 2012 | City of Waterloo | Link

Following the success of temporary traffic calming measures installed over the past few summers, the City of Waterloo is planning to install permanent versions of the speed cushions on Willow Wood Drive. The locations for these measures will be finalized on site, but are anticipated to be in the same locations as the temporary ones.

The installation of these permanent speed cushions follows an extended pilot project that spanned several years and included significant public input. Thanks go to residents for their patience in addressing this issue.

The planned commencement of these measures is the week of June 11, 2012 and should be completed by end of June weather permitting. Brantco Construction will be completing this work on behalf of the City of Waterloo.

As the work progresses, there will be some disruptions to local traffic through lane reductions to enable the crew to safely install these measures. However, access is anticipated to be maintained throughout the duration of the work. Should the schedule change for some unplanned reason, the city or contractor will advise residents accordingly.

[panamaniac]

The intersection of Courtland Ave and Ottawa St was closed yesterday for the ongoing Courtland reconstruction, I believe for approximately one month. The logical detour route is via Sydney, but that means that Sydney at Mill St and the intersection of Courtland and Sydney are both likely to be difficult at peak times - probably best to avoid if you can.

[bzmwillemsen]

Otto St has been under construction for about 1 week now.

https://icreate.kitchener.ca/230630_..._committee.pdf

Sign says due to be done in August 2012.

[panamaniac]

I think that project is about a month behind schedule, but it should be a nice improvement to the Civic Centre and Centre in the Square when it is finished.

[neonjoe]

Block Line Rd between Rittenhouse and Westmount has just received a much needed resurfacing.

[Lens]

Now they just need to do the rest of Block Line. Any Idea if this might happen soon?

[bzmwillemsen]

Frederick St is about to become 1way during construction for about 4 weeks.

Couldn't find any information on the construction.

Does anyone have any information about this?

[BSLO]

I don't have a link, but they are repaving Frederick St. from Lancaster Rd. to Bruce St. The construction will include a slight road widening between Edna St. and East Ave. to accomodate the installation of some pedestrian islands. I can't confirm, but I know that a road diet is eventually planned for Frederick St. as well...not sure if they will be applying this from Bruce to Edna, but it would make sense.

[KLM]

I don't have a link, but they are repaving Frederick St. from Lancaster Rd. to Bruce St. The construction will include a slight road widening between Edna St. and East Ave. to accomodate the installation of some pedestrian islands. I can't confirm, but I know that a road diet is eventually planned for Frederick St. as well...not sure if they will be applying this from Bruce to Edna, but it would make sense.

maybe off topic ,on one side you see road diets ( like one planned for Frederick St) while on other side of city expanding Highway 7/8 adding extra lane on both sides.

[bzmwillemsen]

Found a source!

http://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/ge...oResidents.pdf

[panamaniac]

I wonder how many years until Frederick/Benton between Lancaster and Courtand gets a makeover? A road diet is in order - the potential is there for a substantial treed boulevard down the centre of the street, especially on Benton, which really doesn't merit more than one lane in each direction.

[markster]

Considering they've already formally started the road diet process (at least, insofar as announcing that they're planning one), I suspect that they want to get a design in time for LRT construction.

[UrbanWaterloo]

Report Card Says Municipal Infrastructure “At Risk”
Local Municipalities Support Findings Of New National Report Card Saying Canada's Municipal Infrastructure “At Risk”
September 11, 2012 | City of Kitchener | Link

Kitchener and the communities of Waterloo region are among the Canadian municipalities whose infrastructure is at risk, according to the first-ever Canadian Infrastructure Report Card. This major new study was released today by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and three industry partner organizations.

”Today’s report demonstrates the immense challenges facing Canadian communities like Kitchener in terms of infrastructure,” said Mayor Carl Zehr, past-chair of the FCM Big Cities Mayor’s Caucus. “With significant portions of infrastructure reaching advanced stages of its lifecycle, without a commitment to a long-term infrastructure plan now, Canadian municipalities will be dealing with an almost insurmountable problem 20 years from now.”

The report card, which surveyed 123 municipalities representing 60% of the Canadian population, says more than half of municipal roads are falling apart beneath our tires. One in four roads is over capacity, transporting far more people and goods than it was designed to handle. And, nationally, one in four wastewater treatment plants needs to be upgraded or replaced to meet new federal standards introduced this summer, at a cost of at least $20 billion.

Without immediate improvement and ongoing maintenance, the cost of fixing or replacing the assets studied will explode over the next decade.

”The report card shows that core municipal infrastructure like roads and water systems, assets critical to Canada’s health, safety and economic prosperity, are at risk,” said FCM President Karen Leibovici, speaking today at a news conference in Ottawa. “Investments in infrastructure over the last few years have helped, but without long-term action we are still headed for a crisis.” Kitchener joins the FCM in calling for a new long-term federal infrastructure plan that will provide Canadian communities with the stable, secure funding they need to put our infrastructure back on solid ground.

”The need for a long-term infrastructure plan (LTIP) is more obvious than ever after the release of today’s report,” added Councillor Berry Vrbanovic, who is the immediate Past-President of FCM, and currently sits on its Board of Directors. “The LTIP must help municipalities secure our economic foundations, protect recent gains and meet new and growing challenges.”

The FCM partnered with the Canadian Construction Association, the Canadian Public Works Association and the Canadian Civil Engineering Society to deliver the Canadian Infrastructure Report Card. This marks the first time a group of national stakeholders worked together to measure the state and performance of municipal infrastructure from one end of Canada to the other.

This first edition of the report card measured the condition of municipal roads, drinking water, wastewater, and storm water systems. Future studies, which the FCM and its partners plan to release on a regular basis, will look at other assets such as housing and transit.

The full report card, as well as background information and supporting documents, can be viewed at www.canadainfrastructure.ca, a new website launched today.