Downtown construction wraps-up for the holiday season

Construction crews have put a bow on construction as a significant intersection in Downtown Lethbridge is now re-open.

Traffic signals have been re-installed at the intersection of 4 Avenue and 7 Street South and the section of road has officially re-opened to vehicular traffic. With this major step, work on this project will now be wrapped up for the construction season.

Motorists and residents are advised to view and follow new signage, new pavement markings for lanes and parking spaces, as well as to be aware of new concrete curbs and posts that clearly delineate the new cycling lanes. Effective immediately, parking enforcement will resume in the areas where it was temporarily paused for construction. All interim free parking zones will revert to their regular state.

“Thank you again to the businesses on 7 Street and 4 Avenue, as well their customers and all those impacted downtown, for their patience throughout the disruptions caused by this important infrastructure and construction project,” says Crystal Scheit, Urban Revitalization Manager. "The hardship of construction on a business is undeniable, but so are unexpected watermain breaks throughout the winter months. We’re so happy to have reached this significant milestone ahead of the holiday shopping season."

The project consists of three main components:

• Replacement of 100-year-old watermains along 7 Street South from 3 Avenue South to 6 Avenue South
• Pavement rehabilitation along 4 Avenue South and 7 Street South
• Adding protected cycling lanes along 4 Avenue South from west of Scenic Drive South to Stafford Drive South, and along 7 Street South between 3 Avenue South and 7 Avenue South

"By completing these projects together we’ve been fiscally responsible and lessened the inconvenience to businesses long term,” says Scheit.

“As with any construction project, the timelines moved and flexed but we prioritized keeping stakeholders informed throughout the project,” says Bryce Dudley, Senior Transportation Project Administrator. “A big thanks to the business community for their understanding and support during this project as we know it has not been easy for them or their customers.”

“I know businesses and customers alike will be thrilled the construction has been completed,” says Sarah Amies, Executive Director for the Downtown BRZ. “While the last couple of months of construction disruptions have posed some navigational challenges, the end results have produced beautifully paved roadways with clear directional lines. The BRZ would like to thank the City of Lethbridge for the clear communication throughout the process and its membership for its gracious patience in a difficult time.”

While the project is now wrapped for 2023, crews will need to return to the area in 2024 for some additional asphalt and concrete work as well to add pavement marking connecting the new cycling lanes along 7 Street to the existing bike boulevard on 7 Avenue South.

This project was recommended in the Cycling Master Plan, adopted by Lethbridge City Council on July 17, 2017. The Cycling Corridors Functional Planning Study, adopted by Council on April 6, 2020, recommended short-term cycling infrastructure along 4 Avenue South and 7 Street South to connect Downtown Lethbridge with the existing pathway and bike boulevard network.

More project information and background are available at Get Involved Lethbridge and from the August news release here.

The overall project is being funded through existing operating budgets, from the City’s Capital Improvement Program and from external grants.