19th Street Reconfiguration

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The entire redevelopment of our riverfront area in the downtown is being guided by the South Downtown Concept Plan which was developed in 2004. In assessing the many existing issues, the Plan noted that the conditions of 19th Street, between 1st Avenue and Avenue A, are a significant impediment for east-west and north-south pedestrian and vehicle movement:

“Currently 19th Street runs under the old rail bridge located between Idylwyld and the 1st Avenue on-ramp. This is an unpleasant area in which to walk or travel by bike, it feels unsafe at night. The sidewalks feel uncomfortably close to traffic under the bridge. Sight lines are poor for drivers and, perceptually, the area acts as a barrier between east and west.”

To address these issues, the Concept Plan called for the removal of the rail bridge and the construction of a new east-west walkway on the south side of 19th Street. The new path would be designed to take pedestrians directly into the market square adjacent to the Farmers' Market. In the longer term, the Concept Plan suggested a higher-level footbridge across 19th and a mid-block footbridge over the 1st Avenue on-ramp.

In March 2006, Stantec Engineering was awarded the contract for design. In the preliminary design stage, Stantec presented four options that followed the model outlined in the Concept Plan. After a review of these designs, Stantec provided an additional option that does not include the construction of the two pedestrian bridges yet still accomplishes the goals for optimum pedestrian and vehicle access.

“Option 5” involves the removal of the bridge portion of the 1st Avenue on-ramp to the Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge. This bridge is the lowest of the remaining three bridges that span 19th Street, and its removal would allow for the substantial raising of 19th Street. Access to the Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge and the Idylwyld Freeway would be maintained through an “at grade” signalized intersection at 19th Street and 1st Avenue.

As you may have observed, the demolition of the unused rail overpass did much to alleviate the darkness and poor site lines in the area. The removal of the 1st Avenue on-ramp bridge structure would supplement that enhancement, and remove impediments for both pedestrians and vehicles travelling east and west on 19th Street. It would also allow for a further raising of the grade of 19th Street by 2100mm (just under seven feet) to a point above the current retaining wall. These two characteristics significantly improve the entire pedestrian experience providing a safer and more inviting corridor.

With this option proving to be the most popular among stakeholders, Administration engaged the services of UMA Engineering to conduct an analysis of traffic impacts and make recommendations. The study noted that the construction of an intersection at 19th Street and 1st Avenue creates an additional access point to the Idylwyld Freeway. The study illuminated that this additional access point attracted most of the new traffic generated by River Landing while maintaining traffic flows on 20th Street. It was therefore the recommendation of the consultant that the intersection of 19th Street and 1st Avenue be created in conjunction with the development of River Landing in order to accommodate the expectant traffic flows of the development and to complement the overall roadway network within the Downtown and Riversdale.

The River Landing Pedestrian Linkage and Parking Plan project has been widely acclaimed. In 2007, it received a Regional Honour for outstanding achievement in the profession of landscape architecture for from the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects.

At the meeting of August 13, 2007, City Council approved a recommendation to re-tender the 19th Street reconfiguration, pathways, and parking project. Following a review of the design the project was re-tendered with a December 18th, 2007 deadline. Combining the low tender bid received with the costs of purchasing the required property and the construction costs occurred to date, the complete project costs are within the new budget established for this project. Work already completed on 19th Street and area includes the replacement and relocation of underground utilities and the temporary re-surfacing of the roadway.

Construction began in April, 2008 and was completed in September 2009.

Last updated November 16, 2009