Queen Street reconstruction project enters final phase

Completed work has enhanced safety and accessibility for pedestrians

UPDATE: It is estimated that all pedestrian signals will be fully functional once the final phase of the Queen Street reconstruction project is completed.

After three months of work, the first two phases of the Queen Street reconstruction project have come to a close. The section of Queen Street between Water Street and Peel Street has been re-surfaced and sidewalks and water services have been replaced. Street parking is available once again and the Farmer’s Market has returned to its original downtown location. 

The project has also resulted in enhancements to accessibility, with improved sidewalks and elimination of trip hazards. Part of the Town’s commitment to meeting accessibility standards are the pedestrian crossing signals that have been installed at all intersections in the downtown core. The signals are compliant with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) standards, and are designed to improve the safety of individuals with blindness or vision loss.

Each pedestrian signal head has an audible notification feature that can be activated after holding the signal button for three seconds. The resulting noise will let pedestrians know when it is safe to cross the street. The signal buttons will also emit a low chirping sound to make pedestrians aware of the signal button’s location. The volume of the signal sounds will be based on traffic noise levels and will automatically lower during quiet periods. It is estimated that all pedestrian signals will be fully functional once the final phase of the Queen Street reconstruction project is complete. New signal posts were also placed according to accessibility standards and sidewalks have been equipped with tactile warning plates that remind pedestrians of their proximity to the street. 

The timing of traffic signals in the downtown has also changed. Traffic lights will now operate in a timed mode from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with pedestrian crossing signals being activated as part of the cycle. Between 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., traffic signals will operate on demand, with help from traffic sensing technology that was installed under the pavement at the Water, Wellington and Church street intersection approaches. Under normal evening and night time operation, a green light will be maintained on Queen Street unless a vehicle sensor or pedestrian signal button prompts it to change.

The final phase of work on Queen Street now moves west, to the section between Water Street and Thomas Street. The area will be closed to vehicle access for approximately six weeks to allow construction to proceed. Queen Street access to the M&M Variety parking lot will also be closed. The project will include work on water services, sidewalks, asphalt and the replacement of water proofing membrane on the Victoria Bridge. Pedestrian access to Victoria Bridge may be restricted on an intermittent basis for safety concerns; fencing will be erected to denote the passable areas. Once the work is finished, a final layer of asphalt will be laid along the length of Queen Street between Peel Street and Thomas Street, and permanent line painting will be completed.

Comment

Jed Kelly, Director of Public Works

“We are pleased with the progress of the project so far, and are committed to meeting deadlines and exceeding expectations as we move forward. The new accessibility features that have come out of this project are a huge step forward for St. Marys, and I am confident that they will continue to improve safety for all pedestrians.”

Additional information

For updates about the Queen Street reconstruction project, visit www.townofstmarys.com.  

Follow #DigItStMarys on Facebook and Twitter for downtown merchant sales and events.

-30-

Contact

Brett O’Reilly | Corporate Communications & Events Manager
519-284-2340, ext. 432 | boreilly@town.stmarys.on.ca