Albert Street Watermain and Road Improvement

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

Project summary

  • Construction is expected to begin at the end of May and to continue through to the end of 2022.
  • The existing cast iron watermain is in poor condition and is to be replaced from Columbia Street West to Longwood Street
  • The road will be repaved from Columbia Street West to Longwood Street
  • Active transportation improvements to be made from Columbia Street West to Weber Street North

Greater details are available in Active Transportation and Road Improvements, and Project Staging Overview.

What to expect during construction

  • 48 hours notice will be given for any water supply or property access disruptions
  • An inspector will be on site to answer any questions
  • Delays when travelling
  • Short term interruptions in water services when connecting existing mains to new mains
  • Short term driveway access interruptions
  • Altered pedestrian walkways with signage for access during construction

More construction information is available in Public Information Centre Frequently Asked Questions.

Subscribe to follow project to stay informed as project updates happen. If you have Questions, our project team will be happy to answer them. Any urgent comments regarding construction activities should be made to the project team directly (their email addresses are available in the Who's Listening section) for immediate action.

Map of construction area, Albert Street from Weber Street North to Columbia Street West.

The watermain on Albert Street from Columbia Street West to Weber Street North is in poor condition and has broken a number of times. The road was planned and built with specific development targets in mind that did not materialize as planned, and is not currently meeting the needs of the City as laid out in the City’s Transportation Master Plan. In 2020, Council approved additional funding (Council Report IPPW2020-038, info begins on page 147 of PDF) to help close the infrastructure funding gap in the City of Waterloo. This approval was made with the intention of addressing the infrastructure deficit, one of the key objectives of the Infrastructure Renewal goal of the 2019-2022 City of Waterloo Strategic Plan.

This proposed work will replace the existing watermain and all water services within the right of way, and will reconfigure and improve the road to provide improved active transportation network connections and improved pedestrian and transit access. This project page will help keep businesses, residents and other interested parties informed as the project progresses.

Project summary

  • Construction is expected to begin at the end of May and to continue through to the end of 2022.
  • The existing cast iron watermain is in poor condition and is to be replaced from Columbia Street West to Longwood Street
  • The road will be repaved from Columbia Street West to Longwood Street
  • Active transportation improvements to be made from Columbia Street West to Weber Street North

Greater details are available in Active Transportation and Road Improvements, and Project Staging Overview.

What to expect during construction

  • 48 hours notice will be given for any water supply or property access disruptions
  • An inspector will be on site to answer any questions
  • Delays when travelling
  • Short term interruptions in water services when connecting existing mains to new mains
  • Short term driveway access interruptions
  • Altered pedestrian walkways with signage for access during construction

More construction information is available in Public Information Centre Frequently Asked Questions.

Subscribe to follow project to stay informed as project updates happen. If you have Questions, our project team will be happy to answer them. Any urgent comments regarding construction activities should be made to the project team directly (their email addresses are available in the Who's Listening section) for immediate action.

Map of construction area, Albert Street from Weber Street North to Columbia Street West.

The watermain on Albert Street from Columbia Street West to Weber Street North is in poor condition and has broken a number of times. The road was planned and built with specific development targets in mind that did not materialize as planned, and is not currently meeting the needs of the City as laid out in the City’s Transportation Master Plan. In 2020, Council approved additional funding (Council Report IPPW2020-038, info begins on page 147 of PDF) to help close the infrastructure funding gap in the City of Waterloo. This approval was made with the intention of addressing the infrastructure deficit, one of the key objectives of the Infrastructure Renewal goal of the 2019-2022 City of Waterloo Strategic Plan.

This proposed work will replace the existing watermain and all water services within the right of way, and will reconfigure and improve the road to provide improved active transportation network connections and improved pedestrian and transit access. This project page will help keep businesses, residents and other interested parties informed as the project progresses.

  • Active transportation and road improvements

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Albert Street Bicycle Facility

    Watermain replacement and road resurfacing provides opportunity to reconfigure roadway for bike facility

    • Not full road reconstruction
    • No changes to curbs except bus stops and pedestrian crossings
    • Repurpose road space - remove one lane in each direction
    • Tie in to existing and planned active transportation facilities

    This project will include unidirectional (one-way) bike travel on both sides of the road.

    Image of a road with one-way bike lane separated from traffic by a concrete boulevard

    Bi-directional (or multi-use path) bike travel was also considered, but it was determined that one-way bike lanes on both sides of the street will make intersections less complex, driveway crossings safer for cyclists, and make for easier connections to other cycling facilities.

    When reconstructed, Albert Street will have two traffic lanes, and one-way (unidirectional) bike lanes on both sides of the road, with left turn lanes at:

    • Columbia Street
    • Weber Street
    • Bearinger Road/Hazel Street
    • Phillip Street
    • Quiet Place

    There will be pedestrian crossings at:

    • Quiet Place
    • Waterloop Trail
    • Waterloo Technology Park

    The reconstruction of Albert Street presents several opportunities for improvement. By removing one lane of traffic in each direction, we can repurpose the road space. Median pedestrian islands will improve mid-block crossings between intersections, and on-street parking will be provided from the WaterlooLoop Trail to Weber Street. The sidewalks, currently in poor condition in some areas, will be rehabilitated.

    Other potential opportunities with this work include:

    Bus stop integration. Island bus stop reduces conflicts with bikes and provides more space for pedestrians.

    Sample image from OTM Book 18


    Bike box / 2-stage left turn box. Provides space for bikes to wait.

    Sample image from OTM Book 18


    Bicycle signals / crossrides. Provides improved crossings for cyclists at intersections.





  • Project staging overview

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Note: This information represents our suggested project staging, and is subject to change once the Contractor is awarded and provides their input.

    Phasing plan

    Interim phase (2022)

    • Separated bike facility from Columbia Street to Longwood Drive (the portion of the road that includes of watermain work)
    • Interim line painting to continue bike facility from Longwood Drive to Weber Street
    • Existing pathway between Longwood Drive and Weber Street


    Ultimate phase (TBD)

    • Physically separate bike facility from Longwood Drive to Weber Street


    Staging Plan Phase 1 Summary

    Phase 1 will be on Albert Street, between Phillip Street and Longwood Drive

    Phase 1A (detailed posting with diagrams)

    • Organize traffic control
    • Remove existing surface
    • Install, commission and connect temporary watermain
    • Install watermain up to connection limits
    • Restoration of curbs and pave

    Phase 1B (detailed posting with diagrams)

    • Transfer traffic to newly paved areas
    • Extend services to property line on long service side
    • Commission and connect watermain
    • Surface restorations and pave


    Staging Plan Phase 2 Summary

    Phase 2 will be on Albert Street, between Columbia Street and Phillip Street

    Phase 2 (detailed posting with diagrams)

    • Install islands, separator curbs, line painting etc.
    • Remove existing surface features
    • Install watermain up to connection limits
    • Surface restorations, curbs, separator curbs, pedestrian islands and paving

    During this phase Albert Street will be closed between Columbia Street to Phillip Street for through traffic, although local traffic access will be available at all times.


  • Staging Plan Phase 1A

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Phase 1 will be on Albert Street, between Phillip Street and Longwood Drive. Details are also available for Phase 1B and Phase 2.

    Phase 1A

    • Organize traffic control
    • Remove existing surface
    • Install, commission and connect temporary watermain
    • Install watermain up to connection limits
    • Restoration of curbs and pave


    Active work in northbound lanes from Phillip Street onward


    Continued active work in north bound lanes followed by active work in south bound lanes from 451 Albert Street onwards


    Continued work in south bound lanes


    Active work in middle lanes to Longwood Drive.


  • Staging Plan Phase 1B

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Phase 1 will be on Albert Street, between Phillip Street and Longwood Drive. Details are also available for Phase 1A and Phase 2.

    Phase 1B

    • Transfer traffic to newly paved areas
    • Extend services to property line on long service side
    • Commission and connect watermain
    • Surface restorations and pave


    Active work in south bound lanes from Phillip Street onwards.


    Continued work in south bound lanes, followed by work in the north bound lanes from 460 Albert Street.


    Continued work in north bound lanes.


    Active work split between north and south bound lanes to Longwood Drive.


  • Staging Plan Phase 2

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Phase 2 will be on Albert Street, between Columbia Street and Phillip Street. Details are also available for Phase 1A and Phase 1B.

    Phase 2

    • Install islands, separator curbs, line painting etc.
    • Remove existing surface features
    • Install watermain up to connection limits
    • Surface restorations, curbs, separator curbs, pedestrian islands and paving

    During this phase Albert Street will be closed between Columbia Street to Phillip Street for through traffic, although local traffic access will be available at all times.

    Phase 2 will take approximately 61 days.


    Active work in both north and south bound lanes from Columbia Street West onwards.


    Continued active work in both lanes until Phillip Street.


    Active work in the south bound lanes followed by work in north bound lanes.


    Continued work in north bound lanes followed by split work between north bound and south bound lanes to Longwood Drive.


Page last updated: 09 May 2022, 09:57 AM