By Sam Borsato - @BorsatoSam on Twitter

Public feedback is key as planning begins for 3 Avenue reconstruction

Jun 21, 2017 | 4:26 PM

LETHBRIDGE – The City is keeping resident opinions in mind as it dives into a 3 Avenue reconstruction project.
 
An open house was set up at CASA Wednesday afternoon (June 21) to gain public feedback on the design and construction staging plan. The $9.7-million project from 4 to 8 Street South was approved by council last month to be included in the 2018-2027 Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
 
“When it’s all done, it’s going to be a more pedestrian-friendly environment,” Craig Richter, senior project administrator, told Lethbridge News Now.
 
“We’re reducing the travel lanes from four lanes to three lanes, so a single lane in each direction with a dual left turning lane… We maintain capacity for the roadway… But it also shortens crossing distances for pedestrians. It gives us wider sidewalks. And then of course we have more trees, shrub beds, plantings, benches and waste receptacles and all those types of things that give it a nice look.”
 
More than 100-year old underground infrastructure will also be replaced along 3 Avenue during construction. In addition, both a rainbow and transgender flag coloured crosswalk will be placed permanently at the 6 Street South intersection, in front of the Southern Alberta Art Gallery (SAAG), something the Lethbridge Pride Fest Society will be responsible for funding.
 
At this time, Richter isn’t sure how Lethbridge’s downtown will be affected by the construction. He did add, though, that resident input is key in putting together a staging plan that will meet everyone’s needs.
 
“How do people see this being built, what would they prefer? Do we close a block at a time, do we close half a block at a time? What would you like to see, what’s important to you?” Richter said.
 
He went on to note that the 3 Avenue project builds upon concepts presented in the City of Lethbridge Public Realm and Transportation Study (PRATS) from 2011, as well as the 2013 Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan (DARP).

Construction is expected to be underway in 2019, to be complete in 2020.