Bear Street Project Update - Sept. 5

This e-newsletter is for residents, businesses and organizations 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://www.brandnewbear.ca/
 
For any questions or comments, please email the project team at BearStreet.Talk@banff.ca.

Comments to other Town staff will not be addressed as quickly.

Preparing for Soil Cells

Excavation at each corner of the Caribou Street intersection is preparing for installation of soil cells to irrigate trees, shrubs and landscaping, while reducing and filtering water before going into the new storm drain mains running the length Bear Street.

Quick Overview: the week ahead

 Pedestrian access to operating businesses maintained in all zones.

Zone 1 (at Caribou St)

• Traffic/intersection – closed  
• Parking – closed
• Pedestrian access – partial rolling closures  
• Activity:
  • soil cells are being installed on each corner (for landscape irrigation, storm drainage filtering and storm sewer)
  • shallow utilities work
  • Excavation and the installation of soil cells will limit the access to businesses on the corners.

• Traffic – closed
• Parking – closed
• Pedestrian access  - partial closures Tuesday onward
• Parkade – closed
• Activity: soil cells are being installed on each corner (for landscape irrigation, storm drainage filtering and storm sewer)
• Excavation and the installation of soil cells will limit the access to businesses on the corners.

• Traffic – closed
• Parking – closed
• Pedestrian access - partial closures Tuesday onward
• Parkades – closed into September
• Activity: storm main installation and removal of injection lines for chlorination at:
  • Bear Street Mall and Townhouse Building (Tuesday)
  • CMH, BPLS Staff Accomm., Saltlik, and Home Hardware (Wednesday)
  • Bactrax (Thursday)
  • Access from Bear Street to these buildings will be unavailable.

• Traffic/intersection – closed 
• Parking – closed
• Pedestrian access – partial closures
• Activities – chlorination of connections and pressure testing, and removal of injection points (requiring sidewalk/access closure) at 
  • 204 Wolf and Circle K on Friday

Construction Description - Sept. 8 - 17

Work on the storm system will continue with installation of soil cells, dry wells and storm mains in Zone 1 , 2, 3 and 4.  Excavation and the installation of soil cells will limit the access to certain businesses in Zone 1 & 2 (from Caribou intersection and north to Willock & Sax Gallery/Old Crag Cabin). 

Surveying is identifying the precise extent of the required excavations.  Every effort will be made to minimize the impact of closures and alternate access routes will be established when possible.
 
Removal of the water line injection points in Zone 3 is occurring next week. Injection points remain until lines are chlorinated and tested. The removal requires a closure of the sidewalk and excavation in front of these buildings again. Dates for these closures are scheduled as:

• Tuesday, September 8 – Townhouse Building / Perfect Image & Bear Street Mall
• Wednesday, September 9 – CMH, BPL Staff Accom, Saltlik & Home Hardware
• Thursday, September 10 – 225 Bear Street
• Friday, September 11 – 204 Wolf Street & Cascade Plaza West (Circle K)

Bear Street access to businesses during these closures will not be available on those respective days. 
 
Pressure testing and chlorination of the water system in Zone 4 (Wolf Street intersection) will continue throughout the week.

Communications Update

Bear Street Ambassadors are giving away Brand New Bear branded masks to customers who made purchases from Bear Street businesses and services this long weekend. The promotion is being highlighted on paid social media posts and by Ambassadors stationed around the downtown.

Bear Street Ambassadors have been scheduled seven days a week to help residents and visitors navigate the Bear Street sidewalks, especially when there is a closure at a business entrance.

Maps placed at all Bear Street entrances indicate when and where sidewalk access is closed. Please tell your colleagues and neighbours to look for maps at entrances to find the best route to your destination on Bear Street as they change daily. 

"We're Open" flags will continue to be repositioned as fencing is altered at portions of the construction site. Fencing is being removed after deep excavation is completed to help crews accelerate work and to provide enhanced site lines for visitors.

The Website BrandNewBear.ca is also being promoted to provide listings for the map and business directory. 

A Bear Street Reconstruction Project update is being provided to Banff Town Council Sept. 21 to outline the project schedule, construction phases and description of the final stage.

Pedestrian Zone completion

Bear Street Reconstruction Project Team:

• Pierre-Hugues “PH” Gagnon, Bear Street Project Manager
• Marie-Eve Jackson, Community Liaison Officer (for businesses, employees and residents)
• Rick Williams, Business Liaison Officer (for property owners)
• Janice Carson, Senior Communications Specialist
• Darren Enns, Director of Planning and Development
• Adrian Field, Director of Engineering
• Jason Darrah, Director of Communications

For questions and comments about the Bear Street Reconstruction project, please email bearstreettalk@banff.ca