Hall Street Project Update for the Week of July 16-20th:

The past week was one of significant change along the Hall Street corridor, where long established traffic patterns, for vehicles and pedestrians alike, were altered. The traffic signals at Hall and Front Street were disconnected, providing uninterrupted east/west traffic along the highway arterial. Behind the construction fencing, excavation resumed in the 100 block of Hall Street to expose existing utilities and install new storm works. On the north side of the CP tracks, shallow utility infrastructure was renewed and new sidewalk placed.

For the upcoming week, the bulk of the work north of the CP tracks will be within the parking area west of the Prestige. Traffic patterns and access to the marina, wharf, and boat launch remains as is, with little disruption. Marwest’s works scheduled for next week on the south side of the tracks will be confined to the area of the 100 block of Hall Street and the north side of the Hall/Front Street intersection. The existing sidewalks on both sides of Hall Street in the 100 block are scheduled to be removed and replaced by temporary plywood sidewalks and pedestrian passageways.

Access to both the Gateway Plaza complex (701 Front/115 Hall St) and the large brick complex at 625 Front Street will remain accessible via Lakeside Drive and the newly laid pavement across the CP tracks. Additional custom wayfinding signage was erected along the highway and the Cedar/Lakeside detour route to let people know that the Hall and Lakeside Drive businesses remain accessible.

Marwest and the City have been working with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) to tune the Traffic Management Plan currently implemented along the arterial highway. MOTI has been amenable to have the City provide some traffic control at both Hall and Cedar Street intersections. The preferred highway crossing for pedestrians, during business hours of 8am to 5pm, is the designated crosswalk at Cedar Street. Flaggers will be present to assist pedestrians as well as drivers. Flaggers will also be present at Hall Street; however, pedestrians are advised to walk along Front Street either direction of Hall Street to a designated crossing, rather than trying to cross through the busy construction zone. Large excavations are anticipated in close proximity to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic so please exercise caution when passing through the contractor’s cone zone.

The Cedar Street detour remains open to provide access to businesses along Lakeside Drive, including businesses on Hall Street near the CP tracks. Marwest’s construction zone in the 100 block of Hall Street is set up so that access across the CP tracks to both the Gateway Plaza and the brick complex across the street at 625 Front Street is available from Lakeside Drive.

The City website also elaborates on the upcoming construction activities under the heading ‘Hall Street Project Update – Stage 2 Begins’.