Lakeshore Road Reconstruction and Streetscape Project

Construction is really moving along and it will be great to see the job completed. But what happens if there are problems with some of the new features? Is the work guaranteed?

As with any large construction project, issues can become apparent after completion. Before our contractor hands the site back to the town, a site inspection takes place. Phase one inspection occurred this summer, prior to the installation of restaurant patios. Phase two is scheduled following November’s completion date. Any deficiencies will be identified, tracked and, weather permitting, addressed in this year. It’s important to note that there are potential elements, such as grouting, that would need spring’s warmer temperatures for replacement work.

And lastly, in any construction project of the size, settlement can occur. Work of this nature would be addressed by the contractor through warranties on work and materials.

Have some of the commercial loading zones locations been changed?

There have been numerous updates included in the reconstruction project. The commercial loading zones were planned to be spatial throughout the entire downtown, providing access for all businesses. The detailed spaces were determined to align with the downtown transportation study, then refined when the parking and accessible parking spaces locations were determined.

The Downtown Transportation Study includes the planned locations of the new commercial loading zones (CLZ). 

How can I take advantage of the free parking program?

To welcome residents and visitors back to our stores and restaurants and encourage contactless, cashless pay, the town is offering first-time users of the HONK mobile parking app up to $5 toward their parking, using the promo code OAK2020. The first hour is free when using the promo code DOWNTOWN on the HONK app. Parking is free after 6 p.m. and on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. The program runs until the end of 2020.

The town will also reinstate three-hour time limits for residential on-street parking beginning August 4. Residents who require more time to park on their street or who have overnight guests can request a temporary on-street parking permit.

All pay-by-plate machines, meters, and municipal parking lots are open and accepting payment, with the exception of the Church Street Parkade, which will be open to permit holders only until alternate payment methods can be implemented.

For more information, visit the parking page.

How does the parking program affect my monthly-prepaid parking permit?

The monthly-prepaid parking permits will continue during the Lakeshore Road reconstruction project. Employees of the downtown businesses should continue to leave the closest and most convenient parking spaces available for their customers and clients.

What are the names of the trees currently in Phase 1 and will Phase 2 have any changes in the tree type of size?

Twenty-four trees have been planted along Lakeshore Road between Navy and Dunn.  An additional 24 will be planted in the second phase. The species include:

• Oak
• Maple
• Tulip Tree
• American  Elm
• Maidenhair Tree
• Sweetgum Tree

We understand many of you want to see larger tees planted. Forestry experts have advised us the size (and species) being planted are the right choices and will outgrow larger tree stock. The following information was provided by the landscape architect:

Regarding the size of the trees, arboricultural research has proven that planting smaller trees leads to better outcomes over time as smaller trees establish their root systems more quickly after transplanting. Over a 10-year period, small trees will actually outgrow larger trees (when comparing the size at the time of planting). This is why we specified 50mm caliper trees. Each tree is inspected before they arrived at the site to ensure that the trees are uniform and healthy.

What is the best way for residents and businesses to raise concerns or ask questions about the project?

Residents and businesses are encouraged to sign up for the project newsletter. Questions can be directed to Mary Vallee, Communications Liaison, at mary.vallee@oakville.ca or 905-845-6601, ext. 3317.

Invest Oakville: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The coronavirus pandemic is impacting business operations, and employers are seeking information to address new challenges and make informed decisions. For an overview of the resources and information currently available to the business community, please visit Invest Oakville.

Helping Local Businesses during COVID-19 

Much has been done to provide on-going help for the mainstreet businesses including: 

• Access to COVID-19 support resources for business
• New app launched in Oakville - online crowd-funding platform to connect small business with community donations. Distantly.ca
• Free assistance to mainstreet businesses to help create a digital presence. Please contact: mary.vallee@oakville.ca

Digital Main Street

The Digital Main Street Squad is a resource for small businesses, to help build or enhance an online presence, promote products/services and sell online. This free service includes upcoming webinars and one-on-one digital support for Oakville BIA members. For more information, please contact mary.vallee@oakville.ca.

Skip the Dishes

Building on the popularity of restaurant food delivery, a working partnership has been established with Canada's own Skip the Dishes. Downtown Oakville restaurants will have the opportunity to sign on with this independent service without having to pay the restaurant fee. Skip the Dishes will be advertising extensively throughout the construction period. If your restaurant is interested in participating in this service, please contact jenn.bada@skipthedishes.ca.

To welcome residents and visitors back to our stores and restaurants and encourage contactless, cashless pay, the town is offering first-time users of the HONK mobile parking app up to $5 toward their parking, using the promo code OAK2020. The program runs until the end of 2020. The town has reinstated three-hour time limits for residential on-street parking beginning. Residents who require more time to park on their street or who have overnight guests can request a temporary on-street parking permit. Parking enforcement staff will be educating motorists of parking violations with a warning ticket in the first few days of implementation.

Free parking program

During the Lakeshore Road reconstruction, Council has approved a parking program to help attract customers and visitors to downtown Oakville. This program will run until December 31, 2020.

The town has secured the parking lot at 109 Reynolds Street, adjacent to Ward Funeral Home, creating over 30 new spots. As well, the former fire station lot at the corner of Randall Street and Navy Street has been converted into a temporary parking, providing more parking options for visitors, customers and employees in downtown Oakville.

First hour free with Honk

Use the promo code DOWNTOWN in the Honk Mobile app to get your first hour of parking free at a metered space or in a municipal parking lot in downtown Oakville.

Free weekend parking

Parking at a metered space or in a municipal parking lot has always been free on Sundays and holidays. During the reconstruction, parking at a metered space or in a municipal parking lot will also be free on Saturdays.

New municipal parking lot F

The former fire station lot at the corner of Randall Street and Navy Street has been converted into a temporary parking lot to provide more parking options for visitors, customers and employees in downtown Oakville.

More on-street parking spaces

When Lakeshore Road is closed for construction, the side streets in the immediate blocks become temporary dead end streets. These streets will be converted to create more parking spaces by providing perpendicular parking along one side of the street. This will create more parking spaces for convenient access to the stores, restaurants and businesses near the road closure.

Ongoing parking programs

Parking will continue to be provided for visitors, customers and employees throughout downtown Oakville during the Lakeshore Road reconstruction project. Parking at the on-street metered spaces and in the municipal parking lots is free after 6 p.m. and all day on Sundays and holidays.

More information

• The parking programs are available in downtown Oakville during the Lakeshore Road reconstruction project
• Vehicles are prohibited from parking contrary to parking regulations
• Vehicles must comply with the maximum parking durations on the street or in the lot
• The Parkade at 300 Church Street is excluded from these parking programs
• The 20-minute quick stop metered parking spaces are excluded from the first hour free parking program
• Employees of the downtown businesses should continue to leave the closest and most convenient parking spaces available for their customers and clients

How to pay with your phone

With the free Honk Mobile app, you can easily search, pay for and top up parking from a phone, tablet or computer. This payment option is easy and quick to use so you can get to where you want to go!

Set up is simple:

1. Visit honkmobile.com to download the app from Apple Store and Google Play
2. Set up account including vehicle and payment information
3. Choose "zone" or location to park (available on machine or meter or on app)
4. Choose time needed to park
5. Enter promo code DOWNTOWN to get your first hour free
6. Extend time up to maximum allowed in location

Background

With Lakeshore Road East coming to the end of its lifespan and needing a major reconstruction, the town undertook extensive research and public consultation to identify broader opportunities to improve traffic, beautify streets and improve pedestrian/cycle ways in the downtown.

In April 2018, Council approved the final design for the Lakeshore Road Reconstruction and Streetscape Project. Reconstruction will be done in two phases: Phase 1 in 2019 (spring to fall) between Navy and Dunn streets, and phase 2 in 2020 (spring to fall) between Dunn and Allan streets.

The Downtown Transportation and Streetscape Study (DTS) was approved by Council in April 2015 which includes the Lakeshore Bridge Rehabilitation, the Two-Way Street Conversion, and the Lakeshore Road Reconstruction and Streetscape Project. The DTS is part of the overall Downtown Plan.

September 10, 2018

Town Council endorses the Downtown Mitigation Strategy and gives direction for free parking on Saturdays, running from April 2019 to November 2020. Town staff are directed to implement the mitigation initiatives, subject to budget approval. Review the September 20, 2018, Planning and Development Council staff report.

April 10, 2018

Town Council approves final streetscape plan for Lakeshore Road Streetscape and Reconstruction Project. Council also receives information about the mitigation initiatives that are planned at the present time, wayfinding initiatives planned for downtown during and after construction.

2016 Public Consultation

• Public meetings were held on March 1 and June 15, 2016 to get feedback on contemporary design palettes. Comments were also collected online from February 24 to April 1, 2016.
  • Review the material that was presented at public meeting #1 (pdf)
  • Review a copy of the Lakeshore Road Reconstruction and Streetscape Consultation Summary (pdf)
• When specific contemporary furniture pieces were presented to the public in March and June 2016 there was significant concern and opposition about the contemporary theme choice for the streetlights, benches, bike rings and bollards
• In July 2016, Council passed a motion directing staff to recommence a public engagement process in the fall 2016 to gather more public input on the three style options — traditional, contemporary and classic for the streetlights, benches, bike rings and bollards
• Staff began incorporating the garbage/recycling stations as well as the granite pavers and curbs into the streetscape design as presented to the public this past March and June and approved by Council in July 2016.
• In September 2016, the town held a number of public engagement opportunities to find out what style of streetscape furniture — traditional, contemporary or classic — residents and businesses would like to see used in downtown Oakville. Each style was designed to complement the downtown heritage district.
• On October 3, 2016, Council approved a traditional furniture style for downtown Oakville. Review the staff report.
• Between December 5 and 23, 2016, the town went out for public consultation about what specific furniture pieces, lighting temperature, and bridge railing residents and businesses liked best for Downtown Oakville. The town provided two options for each piece of streetscape furniture; two types of lighting (LED fixture/bulbs), and three bridge railing options. Two choices of furnishing colour that supported a traditional theme - graphite and moss green - were also provided.
• On February 13, 2017, Council approved the bridge railing, the lighting and the furniture selections (streetlight poles, benches, bollards, bike rings) for downtown Oakville. Review the February 13, 2017 staff report for details

2015 Public Consultation

• Following extensive public consultation through the Downtown Transportation and Streetscape Study (DTS), a contemporary theme was chosen in 2015 over traditional and classical, to complement the historic buildings in the streetscape yet remain a reflection of the current time.
• Desire to maximize a flexible (curbless) design of the Lakeshore Road East configuration was also discussed at these meetings as a topic for consideration.