Lakeshore Road Reconstruction and Streetscape Project

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.

Access one-on-one guidance

Halton Region Small Business Centre consultants are available to help you navigate business relief programs, including rent support, access to funding, and tax breaks. Contact the Small Business Centre to set up a call or one-on-one virtual meeting to ensure sure you’re tapping into all available business supports.

Grow your business online

Oakville has partnered with Digital Main Street to help businesses start and grow their presence online. Visit Invest Oakville to access grants, one-on-one support, free web building tools, and online training. For more information, contact Mary Vallee.

Connect with a community of support

Need further assistance? Reach out to the Economic Task Force partners, visit their websites for up-to-date resources and programs for business, or call 311 to connect to Halton Region services and Public Health information.

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). 

What are the names of the trees that have been planted?

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 ask questions about the project?

Residents and businesses questions can be directed to Mary Vallee, Communications Liaison, at mary.vallee@oakville.ca or 905-845-6601, ext. 3317.

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.