This e-newsletter is for people who have registered for project updates.
 
If you know others who should receive this regular email update, please direct them to sign up at https://banff.ca/NotifyMe.
 
For questions or comments, please email the project team at BearStreet.Talk@banff.ca

Construction Activity - Week of May 18

• Caribou Street intersection may re-open to east-west vehicular traffic this week.
• Wolf Street intersection is planned to be closed from approximately May 22 to 29.
• On-street parking is closed from Wolf Street to Caribou Street for safety reasons and schedule efficiency reasons. This situation will remain until the project is complete.
• Intermittent vehicular traffic interruption may occur on Bear Street. The road is closed for driving to the public.
• Existing infrastructure, such as street poles, benches, bicycle racks and street furniture will continue to be removed.
• Roadway and sidewalk cutting will continue through the week, progressing north.
• Fencing will continue to encompass the intersection at Caribou Street and may extend West towards the back alley.
• Additional fencing will also encompass the area from CMH Heli-Skiing to Wolf Street intersection.
• Underground parkade access will be closed intermittently through the week, with closures lasting longer than originally planned to allow acceleration of the project. Every effort will be made to accommodate tenants without creating schedule delays or cost increases to the project.
• The access to the Bear Street Mall underground parkade will be restricted starting May 20, for approximately one week.
• The access to the Townhouse Building underground parkade will be restricted starting May 22, for approximately one week.
• Property owners and tenants seeking alternative parking options can use public parking listed at banffparking.ca or private parking in the Cascade Shops parkade (contact Martin Halliday, cell: 403-804-9400).
• The replacement of the underground utilities in the street and to properties is slated to start late May/early June at the Caribou Street intersection. Caribou Street intersection would be closed for a few weeks.
• Water services will be disconnected only after notification of property owners, who will inform tenants. Intermittent service disruption may occur.
• An additional utilities work crew will be deployed to help accelerate the project later this month.
• Security lighting is in place. Extra caution should be used if the public needs to access the area at night.

• Brand New Bear fence scrim is being installed and wayfinding signs are being added to help navigate through the construction site, while following COVID distancing requirements.
• Expect road closures, sidewalk detours, vibrations, noise and dust.

Background

The Bear Street Reconstruction Project was formally approved on January 27, 2020, when Banff Town Council approved the annual operating and capital budgets. However, even though the Construction Contractor was selected from the 2019 Request for Proposals (RFP), the spread of the coronavirus and consequent COVID-19 global pandemic resulted in the Town of Banff paused the project. The Town of Banff declared a State of Local Emergency and Banff Town Council reopened the budgets in order to cut costs to reduce property taxes for our community facing a protracted recession and unemployment.

Although many Town of Banff infrastructure projects and operating services will be cancelled for 2020 when Council finalizes the budgets in May, Council has directed the Bear Street Reconstruction project to proceed.

Why the project is proceeding:

• Work during the COVID crisis will have less disruption to Bear Street tenants and residents, than if undertaken in a normal year or during Banff’s recovery period.
• The project will employ 90% Bow Valley residents for construction crews, during the protracted recession and widespread local unemployment.
• Reconstruction of a major street now will minimize impact on Banff’s destination reputation while international borders are closed and visitors are asked to stay home.
• The completion of the project will help position the Banff economy for recovery after pandemic.
• Timing is capitalizing on low interest rates used to finance the project.
• Bear Street stakeholders recommended the project should proceed during the pandemic.

• The priority during the project is the safety of construction workers, residents and people who work on the street. The project has implemented enhanced health, proximity and hygiene protocols for construction crews, monitored throughout the project.
• Site supervisors will regularly review COVID-19 requirements with work crews and contractors, including special equipment and protocols used when workers are unable to maintain 2-metre distance from other workers.
• Sidewalk controls and barriers will maintain physical distancing between workers and the public, and fenced pathways will be positioned for social distancing between members of the public. At certain times, this may require one-way pathways, detours and closures, if the ability to maintain 2-metre distancing cannot be provided.

Everyone is reminded to keep 2 metres/6 feet away from others when traveling through Bear Street and the construction zone.

Project Objectives

• The Bear Street Shared Street project (called a Woonerff for five summer trials) will help pedestrians, cars and cyclists become equal users of the commercial road.
• In addition to the beautification of the street, traffic-calming features will make vehicles drive at very slow speeds, pedestrians will have the right-of-way, and cyclists will travel comfortably through the space.
• Research of conversions to pedestrian-friendly streets in other communities show increased pedestrian safety, visitor enjoyment, and an economic boost to businesses.
• The project will replace all underground sewer and water mains, add soil cells for better maintenance of more trees and landscaping, more and better street lighting, additional public seating areas and areas where restaurants can apply to have patio seating.
• There will be no curbs and no centre line, and the tile or slabs will create an environment encouraging pedestrians to cross anywhere.
• There will be seasonal elements that will allow more parking to be added in winter months.

Banff to increase services as regional visitors steadily increase
The safety of residents, local employees and visitors is the top priority for Banff. We are eager to welcome visitors back to Banff, but only when it is safe to do so.
 
Despite the Stage 1 Relaunch Strategy allowing many businesses to reopen (except in Calgary and Brooks), the Town of Banff, Parks Canada and its agency partners are recommending visitors wait until next month to visit, when we have more measures in place to make it safe for employees, residents and visitors. As a community, we need to ensure we have all protocols in place to welcome people back to a safe and exceptional visitor experience. 

Preparations: As restrictions are lifted and more visitors return to Banff, it is more important than ever that public health measures are followed so that we do not take steps backward, undoing the successful efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Banff.

• Businesses and services need time to hire back staff, and put in place physical distancing controls, and staff training, before they can open.
• The Town of Banff will implement a range of measures in public spaces – such as controls on sidewalks and parks to ensure physical distancing can be maintained.
• The Town is creating a plan to completely close the 100 and 200 blocks of Banff Avenue to vehicle traffic. The plan will be brought to the May 25 Council meeting for approval. A trial was conducted this May long weekend with one lane closed each way on Banff Ave.

• People must be prepared with hand sanitizer and cleaning wipes.
• Everyone should wear masks in crowded public spaces.
• People should wash or sanitize their hands frequently.
• Gatherings are not permitted with more than 15 people inside and 50 people outside – and remember sidewalks, trailheads and viewing platforms can get very busy.
• Lining up for retail or restaurants must be managed to allow 2 metre distancing between people. Operations should consider digital strategies to reserve visits to avoid long line-ups, such as Open Table or pagers.
• People must maintain a 2 metre distance from anyone else not from your household – that’s the law in Alberta.

 
Please promote these measures to Keep Banff Safe.
 

Support local business

The Town of Banff encourages residents Shop Local from one of the increasing list of businesses offering limited, COVID-safe services: banff.ca/OpenInBanff