Albert Street Watermain and Road Improvement

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.