Work will begin in June on converting Fourth Avenue downtown into a two-way street.
The month-long project is expected to improve the level of safety, access, and comfort for pedestrians and cyclists, according to city officials.
It will also reduce the number of lanes on the street from three to two, and reallocate the space to promote walking and cycling and has won support of the Downtown Business Improvement Association.
"This is good news both for the businesses on this street, and for the safety of residents," DBIA executive director Carla Johnston said. "Reducing the number of lanes will help to slow down traffic, and widening sidewalks will make strolling downtown a safer, more pleasant, and business-friendly experience."
The conversion will also include an increase in sidewalk space at the Brunswick, Quebec, and Dominion intersections, and traffic signal upgrades at the Dominion and Queensway crossings. The work will begin between Edmonton and Winnipeg Streets and continue through to Queensway.
"During construction, disruption to residents and property owners will be kept to a minimum," city engineering department supervisor Heather Andreychuk said. "The successful contractor will be communicating and coordinating with business owners about any disruptions to specific properties."
Adjacent downtown businesses have been notified in person and by mail about the coming construction, and additional information can be found on the city's web page.
The project will cost $400,000.
