Fife Avenue / Ann Street / Becker Street

The City of Kitchener will reconstruct the road on Ann Street (north end to Fife Avenue), Fife Avenue (Ann Street to Becker Street), and Becker Street (Fife Avenue to north end) beginning in September 2024. The project has been awarded to the general contractor: Sierra Infrastructure Inc.

This work is part of the Council-approved 2024 Capital Works Program to renew aging city roads, sanitary sewers, storm sewers, watermains, and sidewalk for current and future needs. Please see a map of the work area below.

Property impacts are expected, including planned water shut-offs, excavation pits and limited parking. For the duration of the construction, affected properties will receive water via a temporary water supply system.

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Map of work area

What to expect during construction

Work hours

Work will take place from 7 a.m.to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday. Work on weekends may also be required from time to time, but is unlikely, and is pre-approved Saturday and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Construction noise

You may experience intermittent noise and vibration during construction (from vacuum trucks, excavators, dump trucks, power generators, air compressors, paving equipment, concrete equipment, and other machinery).

Pre-condition inspection of structures

On heavy construction projects, the City of Kitchener’s standard practice is to offer to inspect any buildings that might be affected by construction activities before construction starts. If residents or tenants experience any concerns with their property during or after construction, the information from the pre-construction inspection will prove very helpful in quickly and accurately resolving any claims, should they arise.

The City-hired contractor may need access to your house or building to complete a pre-condition inspection survey. The pre-condition inspection survey company GPM Environmental will deliver a pre-construction survey request to schedule a time to complete the survey.

The contractor will not show up asking for entry without prior notice. If you have questions or concerns regarding the identity of the contractor or contractor worker, please contact the person by the contact information at the bottom of this notice.

On-site communication

Sometimes, contractors need to communicate with homeowners about what is happening on-site. This could be about driveway access, water shut-offs, pre-construction inspections, and site restoration work (examples: landscaping, installing pavers). The contractor's staff will be identifiable by their high-visibility company branded clothing. If you need to speak with staff on the construction site, please ask for the Site Inspector.

Accessible accommodation

The City's contractor must ensure safe and accessible walkways and entryways are maintained for everyone during construction. Any temporary access disruptions will be communicated as soon as possible. If you experience a disruption, have a specific access need, or a related accommodation request, contact the person listed below.

Residents who require accommodation (examples: for level entry, longer notice) must contact the Project Manager to arrange for access during the construction period.

Road and sidewalk access

To complete the work safely, there will be road and sidewalk restrictions within the work zone. Access for emergency vehicles will be maintained at all times.

Driveway access

The contractor will notify you of any temporary restrictions to your driveway access. Due to the nature of the work, driveway access may not always be possible.

During reconstruction, temporary parking permits will be issued to displaced residents to allow on-street parking when needed. The permits will list streets for parking options where you can park longer than 3 hours and overnight. The site inspector will hand out the permits. Typically, 2 permits are handed out per property. If you require additional permits, please reach out to the Site Inspector.

Display the permit on your vehicle’s dash. Park your vehicle only in permitted areas and ensure that you do not interfere with any construction operations.

We communicate with the Bylaw Enforcement team to ensure residents displaced by construction are noted, although illegal parking and safety-related issues will continue to be enforced.

Water service disruptions

The water to your property will need to be shut off to allow for connection and disconnection to the temporary water supply. The contractor will provide at least 48-hour advance notice for all planned shut-offs.

If you did not receive advance notice and your water was turned off, an emergency water shut-off may have been necessary to complete the work.

Telephone and internet services

For individual properties, this work may affect phone and internet cables that are not buried deep below the sidewalk. The contractor will coordinate with utility companies to minimize disruption. Residents who find their service has been disrupted should notify their phone or internet service provider immediately to start the repair process.

Important information for owners of sprinkler systems, heated driveways, or private landscaping features

Property owners should remove items located within City property limits (boulevard) to avoid damage. This includes items such as landscaping (plants and pavers), decorative objects, sprinkler systems or heated driveways. If you have a sprinkler system or heated driveway, please contact the Project Manager listed below.

Parking

This project will affect on-street parking. Parking in the active work zone is not permitted as space is needed for construction equipment and materials. If your parked vehicle affects construction work, it will be relocated without charge to the owner.

If you require parking enforcement, please contact 519-741-2345.

Traffic management

Efforts have been made to manage traffic in the area for the safety of workers, road users and residents. Road users should expect delays and increased traffic on nearby main and side streets.

GRT Service

Travel times may be affected. Visit www.grt.ca for accurate schedule information.

Moving in/out and deliveries

Efforts will be made to accommodate properties that have scheduled move-ins / move-outs and deliveries. Please contact the site inspector in advance to advise of any delivery access.

Garbage and recycling

Please have materials placed at curbside before 7 a.m. on your collection day. If required, the contractor will move bins to an appropriate location and return them in reasonable amount of time. Please ensure that you label your bins with your address.

Restoration

The construction work area will be restored with sod, concrete and/or asphalt where required. Interlocking bricks, flagstone on a granular base, or other similar features that are removed from public and private property during construction will be replaced. Further information notice regarding sod will follow once the sod is placed.

Site Inspector

If you have construction questions or an issue onsite, we ask that you contact the site inspector who represents the city onsite. The site inspector is onsite daily and can be identified by the white hardhat they wear with either the city logo or consultant company logo on it.

Kyle Peters

519-504-6069

kyle.peters@ghd.com

If the site inspector is unavailable, please contact the Project Manager listed below.

Need more information?

If you have questions about the upcoming work, please contact us.

Consultant Project Manager

Greg Davidson

519-546-4512

greg.davidson@ghd.com

City Project Manager

Brent Garcia

519-783-8139 (TTY:1-866-969-9994)

brent.garcia@kitchener.ca

Engineering General inquiries

519-741-2406

Thank you for your continued patience.

As part of the City of Kitchener’s ongoing efforts to provide consistent and reliable service, we have scheduled road and sewer improvements in your neighbourhood on Ann Street, Fife Avenue and Becker Street.

These improvements are scheduled to begin, around, May 31, 2024, with an estimated completion date on or around July 1, 2025. You will be notified closer to the date construction is scheduled to start on your section of the street, as well as how long access to your driveway will be affected.

The specific improvements scheduled for these streets are:

Upgrade the existing storm sewer, sanitary sewer and water mains, including additional hydrants as required.

• Replace existing sanitary and water services from the new mains to the property line.
• Curb and gutter, and sidewalks will be installed.
• Upgrade the asphalt roadway.
• Replace all driveway ramp entrances in concrete.
• Implement Low Impact Development features for stormwater treatment

Guided by the city’s Complete Streets Guidelines (2019), several new features will improve safety for all forms of transportation:

Wider sidewalks to improve pedestrian safety and comfort.

• Narrower pavement widths and other traffic calming measures, including pavement width reduction at intersection approaches.
• Existing on-street parking locations to remain”

These improvements will upgrade the existing, deteriorated underground services and above-ground surface features, in order to prevent future system failure. By association with the upcoming Frederick Street Bridge Reconstruction project, the funding for this project is being shared by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and through utility user fees and will not result in a direct charge to the homeowner.

In order to carry out these improvements, it will be necessary to close this street to through traffic. Prior to any road closure, signs will be posted on the approaching streets advising motorists of the date and the duration of the closure.

Pedestrian access will be maintained to all properties at all times and vehicular access to all properties within the construction area will be maintained for as long as possible. On-street parking permits, which will allow parking on adjacent side streets, will be hand-delivered to affected homes before vehicular access is cut off.

Please read the Information Package for more details about this project and how construction may affect you. You also invited to review the project information boards for more information.

We want to hear from you

In planning for the upcoming road reconstruction, we would like to hear from you about:

• Any issues you had in the past with sewer backups, flooding, or water pressure
• What we might need know about you before we begin construction
• Your interest in having a private storm drain connection installed

Help us take your needs into consideration when planning the road reconstruction. Please take a few minutes to answer our Resident/Owner Questionnaire.

During construction, we may be able to install a private storm drain connection to your property for a minimal fee. This connection would accept sump pump discharge and/or localized surface drainage from your property. To learn more and express your interest, answer the Storm Service Survey.

During the next few weeks, you may observe surveyors undertaking a detailed field survey in your neighbourhood. The survey is being completed in preparation for the reconstruction of the street(s) listed above.

As is common with many city reconstruction projects, the service of a consulting engineering firm has been arranged to work with City of Kitchener staff. The firm of GHD Limited is completing the design for this project.

In order to gather the required details, the survey will include the frontage of your property as well as the street. The purpose of this survey is to locate all existing features (trees, gardens, steps and walkways, etc.) on the plans for preliminary study and final design.

The surveyors should not interfere with your regular activities but will identify themselves if you have any questions.

The Road Reconstructions and underground utilities relocations/replacements are planned to accommodate MTO’s Frederick Street Bridge replacement for the future New Hwy 7 alignment.

The following is a brief list of specific improvements being considered:

• Upgrade the existing storm sewer, sanitary sewer and watermains as required.
• Rerouting Regional Force Main along Ann Street
• Replace existing sanitary and water services from the new mains to the property line.
• Curb and gutter, and sidewalks will be installed, feasibility will be explored to install a sidewalk on the north side of Becker Street where it does not exist.
• Upgrade the asphalt roadway.

More information about the project will be made available for all members of the public including owners and residents that will be directly affected by the proposed improvements.

It is anticipated that construction will occur in the spring of 2024

If you have any questions and/or concerns about this project, please feel free to contact the project manager, Shailesh Shah, by phone at 519-741-2200 ext. 7144 or by email at shailesh.shah@kitchener.ca.