Photo: Curtis Galbraith/ EverythingGP staff

By Shaun Penner

Phase Four Construction

Preliminary work underway as Phase 4 of downtown rehab project nears

Apr 16, 2021 | 4:00 PM

Preliminary work is underway in advance of Phase Four of the Downtown Rehabilitation project in Grande Prairie.

Project liaison for the City Monty Haughian says this week, crews have begun establishing temporary water lines to businesses along 100 Avenue between 100 and 98 Streets, in anticipation of major work starting in about two weeks’ time.

“Another little part that is happening… we’re placing temporary traffic signals at 102 Avenue at 100 Street, and 102 Street,” said Haughian. “Basically, at the same places they were for the 2018 construction (Phase Three) to hopefully move traffic a lot easier.”

The estimated $14 million project will see water and sanitary lines replaced, as well as full road and sidewalk reconstruction between 100 and 98 Street downtown on 100 Avenue.

Haughian says the major work should be getting underway in a couple of weeks time, which is when traffic will begin to be impacted.

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“At this point in time, our contractors are planning to close 100 Street northbound on May 3. That’s the initial shovel in the ground,” said Haughian. “That will be the beginning of the traffic disruption, moving and detouring (drivers) around the downtown core.”

He says north-south traffic on 100 Street will be shuttered for approximately one week during that initial stage, then will reopen as crews begin to work east down 100 Avenue throughout the summer.

Haughian adds that businesses that were impacted in Phase Three of the project in 2018, west of 100 Street on 100 Avenue, will be minimally impacted by the road closures this summer as the city will convert the stretch of one-way between 100 Street and 101 Street into a two-way street.

“With a cul-de-sac turnaround basically, so those businesses will still able to be accessed from the street.”

The city’s transportation department, Haughian says, will also be getting to work in a couple of weeks cleaning up and smoothing over the laneways to the rear of impacted businesses to allow for easier access for the public.

“They are bringing on their summer students, and that is kind of their initiation to get in and help get these lanes cleaned up for the businesses,” said Haughian.

He adds the contractor has assured the city that wooden sidewalks will be established throughout construction, so pedestrians can access businesses from the front entrance.