FAQ

Improvements to King Street from Bishop Street to Dover Street in the City of Cambridge (Preston) are necessary to address the deteriorated roadway and underground infrastructure on this section of King Street. The Region will be rebuilding the road and replacing the watermain, storm and sanitary sewers under the road.

The reconstruction project also presents an opportunity to build in some enhanced facilities for pedestrians and cyclists as well as enhanced streetscaping.

· Complete replacement of the pavement including new concrete curbs on both sides of King Street; 

· Replacement of the storm sewers and the City’s watermain and sanitary sewers;  

· Construction of a new 1.60 metre wide on-road cycling facilities on each side of King Street; 

· Replacement of all sidewalks and widening the sidewalk to at least 1.8 metres; 

· Replacement of transit stop areas and installation of concrete pads for future Grand River Transit shelters; and 

· Addition of enhanced boulevard landscaping and streetscaping features including new trees, benches, planters, garbage receptacles, and decorative pavers.

· Upgraded decorative streetlighting including pedestrian lighting, planter and banner arms and holiday lighting structures.

The planning for these infrastructure improvements was undertaken by a “Project Team” consisting of a collaboration of staff from the Region of Waterloo, the City of Cambridge and former City of Cambridge Councillor Karl Kiefer (now Regional Councillor). The Region has hired the consulting engineering firm of IBI Group to assist with the planning, design and contract administration of this project.

The preparations for construction were coordinated by Region staff in consultation with City staff, local Councillor Mike Mann, Regional Councillor Karl Kiefer and the Preston Towne Centre BIA.

All existing sidewalks within the project will require removal due to the reconstruction of the road, sewers and watermain. Where the existing sidewalk is less than 1.8m in width, it will be replaced with sidewalk that is a minimum of 1.8m in width to provide increased space for all pedestrians including wheelchair users. Raised tactile domes will also be installed at all intersection sidewalk ramps to assist visually impaired pedestrians.  The planned landscape and streetscape enhancements will also result in a more pedestrian friendly environment.

Under the cost-sharing arrangement between the Region and the Area Municipalities (Cities), the Region is generally responsible for basic landscaping and streetscaping elements such as boulevard treatments and trees. The Area Municipality is generally responsible for the cost of additional landscaping and streetscaping features such as benches, planter boxes, decorative street lighting and similar features.

For this project, the City has undertaken a separate study to develop a plan for enhanced landscape and streetscape features along King Street, including street trees, gateway entrance features, planting beds, benches, bike rings, garbage receptacles, way finding signs, and decorative street lighting.  The City’s study has been finalized and has been approved by City Council.

During construction, on-road parking will not be available. Signs will be posted directing motorist to off-street City owned parking lots.

When construction is done, twenty-four (24) of the existing two hundred and sixteen (216) existing on-road parking spaces on King Street will be removed in order to accommodate the transit improvements, streetscape improvements and on-road cycling lanes on each side of King Street.

Based on a recent survey, the Project Team believes that enough on-road parking spaces will remain available along the King Street corridor to accommodate parking demand.

Heritage structures, including buildings, can be designated or listed under the Ontario Heritage Act.

The Project Team has identified four designated properties, 16 municipally listed properties and 37 pre-1900 residential properties on King Street within the project limits.  This construction project will focus on the roadway and is not expected to adversely impact any properties along Kind Street, including any designated or listed heritage properties. 

Construction will be confined to the Region’s road allowance. Disturbed driveways, lawns and boulevard areas will be fully restored to preconstruction conditions or better.  Driveways will be regraded as necessary to blend smoothly with the reconstructed roadway.

As part of the improvements, drainage improvements, such as new boulevard catch basins, will be provided as appropriate in order to improve drainage of boulevard areas.

Two-way traffic will be maintained along King Street throughout the construction, with one lane of traffic in each direction provided at most times. Although at times it may be necessary to restrict traffic to one lane with two-way traffic maintained via flagging operations for short periods. Please obey staff and travel at safe speeds through the construction area. 

In order to maintain one lane of traffic in each direction, the existing parking lanes will be used to accommodate through traffic. To mitigate the temporary loss of on-street parking during construction: 

a)  Construction will be completed in stages so that the extent of on-street parking temporarily removed is minimized; and

b)  Signage will be provided to direct patrons of businesses along King Street to nearby municipal parking lots.

Emergency Services, Grand River Transit service, pedestrian access and local driveway access will be maintained during construction, although short-term disruptions to driveways will be required occasionally as work occurs immediately adjacent to the driveway.

The Project Team planned these improvements to address both the deteriorated roadway and underground infrastructure on King Street as well as to take the opportunity include enhancements to the road.
  
The Region's Official Plan gives direction that any new or reconstructed roads include all modes of transportation such as walking, cycling, cars and transit.

By including improvements to cycling, pedestrian and transit facilities on King Street, the planning of this project supports the Regional Transportation Master Plan (RTMP) goals of optimizing our transportation system, promoting transportation choice and supporting sustainable development.