3 St SE Downtown Utility and Surface Upgrades

While some residual work remains to be completed in 2025 (top lift paving, landscaping, pavement markings, etc.), full motorist and pedestrian access has returned to the downtown area as of Friday, November 15, 2024.

This project has upgraded downtown’s water and sewer systems, originally installed back in the early 1900s. This project's goal was to ensure a reliable and future-proof utility network along 3 Street SE.

Map showing work zone for utility upgrades

Project status
Phase 1: 3 Street SE (from 5 Avenue SE to South Railway Street) and 6 Avenue SE (from 2 Street SE to 3 Street SE)
Stage 1	Intersection of 2 Street SE and 6 Avenue SE	Completed
Stage 2	Intersection of 3 Street SE and 5 Avenue SE	Completed
Stage 3	6 Avenue SE from 2 Street SE to 3 Street SE	Completed
Stage 4	3 Street SE from 6 Avenue SE to South Railway Street SE	Completed
Stage 5	3 Street SE from 5 Avenue SE to 6 Avenue SE	Open Completion in 2025
Stage 6	Intersection of 3 Street SE and 6 Avenue SE	Open Completion in 2025

Phase 2: 6 Avenue SE (from 3 Street SE to 4 Street SE)
Pending future budget approval		2025

Normal traffic, parking to resume

With the return of a fully accessible downtown core, normal traffic and parking regulations will soon be returning as well. A refresher on what to expect regarding parking allowances and traffic flow is important for motorists and downtown patrons.

Parking

To allow for affected business owners and their patrons to adjust to this return to normal, free parking within the posted stalls of Towne Square and the Transit terminal will continue until Sunday, December 1.

Other notable parking information to highlight includes the following:

Parking in an alley is permitted only when actively engaged in the loading or unloading of goods for a period not exceeding 30 minutes and does not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
Parking in a Loading Zone is only permitted when actively engaged in loading or unloading passengers (5 minutes) or merchandise (30 minutes).
Please take note of posted signage indicating parking time limits, as they may differ between blocks and roadways.

For more information or further clarification about specific parking regulations, please visit the Bylaw page on the City’s website.

Traffic

One-way, eastbound traffic returns to 3 Street SE between 4 Avenue SE and South Railway Street SE.
Please note the posted speed limit downtown is 40 kilometres-per-hour unless otherwise indicated.
The intersections of 3 Street SE/5 Avenue SE and 3 Street SE/6 Avenue SE will temporarily be controlled with three-way stop signage until the traffic signal system is re-established in the coming weeks.

Project description

This upgrade spanned the 500 and 600 blocks between 5 Avenue SE and South Railway Street SE, and the 200 block of 6 Avenue SE between 2 and 3 Streets SE.

The City will benefit from these improvements including enhanced sanitary sewer mains, water mains, storm systems, and utility services that connect to your property. We've also enhanced the sidewalks, adding new street furniture, planters, as well as trees and signage.

Looking forward, we're planning a similar rehabilitation for 6 Avenue SE between 3 and 4 Streets SE in 2025.

Improvements

Water and sewer improvements

The water and sewer systems are vital for downtown, but our current infrastructure is outdated and beyond its expected lifespan, dating back to the early 1900s.

This project aimed to replace these old pipes and make provisions for a future secondary water supply to the north River Flats neighborhood. It involved the renewal and enhancement of the sanitary sewer main, water main, storm drainage system, and the utility services that connect directly to your property.