Main Avenue's water runoff problems need to be fixed before beautification measures are made along the highway corridor, says a consultant hired to prepare a plan for the area, according to a representative from Genivar Inc.
Town of Sundre officials hired Genivar Inc. for $38,928 in the spring to develop a highway corridor enhancement plan. The project is now complete and company representative Nick Pryce presented the 44-page document during the council meeting on Sept. 3.
“Storm water currently does not flow properly from the street and results in ponding,” reads the document. “When vehicles pass through these areas, pedestrians are prone to being sprayed and buildings end up with mud and dirt on their facades.”
“The ponding effect has also led to sequential distress on the road infrastructure, particularly during winter freeze/thaw periods, resulting in pot holes.”
The plan covers the area extending from the entrance sign located to the west of Highway 22 on the west end of town to the new entrance sign located in the east near Rge. Rd. 51.
During the presentation, Pryce suggested a few ways to enhance the corridor in town, including a picnic bench area outside of Burger Baron. He also suggested a sitting park near Tim Hortons where people would be able to sit outside and enjoy their coffee.
He said the Visitor Information Centre should look more welcoming and there should be trees along the side of the road near Sobeys. Existing resources should be used, such as the old entrance sign on the east side of town. The large white grain elevator that stands on the east side of town should be painted, he said.
Pryce also said that there is an undesirable environment for pedestrians along the corridor.
“Through the consultation process a number of people noted that vehicles often exceed the speed limit, leading to increased anxiety for pedestrians,” reads the document.
Pryce suggested that the town and Alberta Transportation perform a pilot project of placing temporary structures that reduce the lane widths and calm traffic during the summer. It would be between the intersection of 1 Street NW and Main Avenue and 3 Street NW and Main Avenue.
Sundre resident Robert Dales questioned the idea because he said large trucks with wide loads sometimes take up two lanes when passing through town. Pryce said Alberta Transportation would perform engineering studies before pursuing the idea. Because Main Avenue is a provincial highway, responsibility lies with the provincial department for any changes made to it.
“Through the consultation process, parking was also raised as a major issue along Main Avenue,” reads the document.
It is recommended in the document that there be a signage program installed to better display parking availability along Main Avenue.
Pryce also said that there were concerns about the width of the sidewalks, as well as the proximity of the sidewalk to the highway. He suggested that the sidewalk be a minimum of 1.5 metres and that the curb to the sidewalk be a minimum of 1.5 metres as well.
He also suggested that ambient lighting be installed below the lower rail along the Red Deer River Bridge to generate a “warm and welcoming impact for both pedestrians and traffic.” He said the existing cobra head streetlights should be powder coated black to create a better look.
“In the consultation carried out, it was evident that there was a considerable amount being offered in the community that was not well advertised upon entering the town,” reads the document.
It is also suggested in the document that various landscape elements be incorporated along the corridor to create a colourful atmosphere in town. Pryce said planting trees would help to shade the downtown area during hot summer days.
“Currently there is a lack of vegetation along the main shopping/business area. In a number of cases the sites are entirely asphalt, concrete or gravel.”
However, there are some challenges with landscape elements along the corridor, including limitations by Alberta Transportation to install trees and the maintenance that vegetation requires. Other challenges include the impact from the salt and silt on the road and wildlife eating the vegetation.
During the meeting, Coun. Myron Thompson raised concerns about trees being planted in tight spaces and said they produce cotton in the spring, which he referred to as “awful stuff”.
Coun. Paul Isaac said Alberta Transportation officials should agree to meet with council on a monthly basis regarding the project.
Council accepted the plan for information. It will be passed on to the Corridor Enhancement Ad Hoc Committee to be worked on with the town's economic development department. The team will provide recommendations as to what enhancements should be undertaken, innovative methods of funding enhancements over a three-year time frame and 2014 budget implications.
“The economic development department is currently working on the storefront enhancement program and a sponsorship program for enhancements that will offset the costs of the enhancements,” said Kelly Starling, the town's temporary assistant economic development officer, in a report to council.
“Collaboration on these programs will be done with the corridor enhancement committee, to be brought back as recommendations to council for 2014 budget deliberations.”
Also during the meeting, council appointed a number of residents to the Corridor Enhancement Ad Hoc Committee, including Alyssa Campkin, Bev Hallett, Cindy Orr, Corynn Wylie, Leona Bennett, Norine Fullen and Pat Williams-Orosz. Coun. Tony Jordan was appointed to the committee as the town representative and Marty Mennear was appointed as a chamber of commerce and corridor business owner representative.
