Lakeshore Road Reconstruction and Streetscape Project - Navy Street to Allan Street

With Lakeshore Road East (Navy Street to Allan Street) 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. The town is now moving forward with the Lakeshore Reconstruction and Streetscape Project.

Changing the streetscape in downtown Oakville

On February 13, 2017, the project took a big step forward when Council approved the bridge railing, the lighting and the furniture selections (streetlight poles, benches, bollards, bike rings) for downtown Oakville. Read the staff report.

What’s next

Staff will begin incorporating all the selections into the Lakeshore Road Reconstruction and Streetscape Project, slated to start in 2019, and into the overall Downtown Transportation and Streetscape (DTS) Master Plan for other roads in downtown as they are reconstructed.

The new curbs and pavers will be included in the new construction of Lakeshore Road Bridge at Sixteen Mile Creek which is expected to be completed in December 2017.

Staff have reported to the Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee and requested a heritage permit for the furnishings.

It should be noted that the town’s standard for LED fixture colour temperature is 4000K. With town’s public outreach resulting in a clear preference for 3000K for the streetlights within the historic downtown commercial district, Council approved staff’s recommendation to review the merit of installing 3000K LED fixtures in the town’s other commercial districts – Kerr Village and Bronte Village. In addition, while there was clear preference for the existing streetlight pole and acorn fixture styles, staff will be reporting back to Council during the final engineering design phase on the costs of refurbishing the existing poles and retrofitting the LED fixtures, or installing new poles to match the existing styles.

Previous public consultation

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.

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.
  • 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

Background

The Downtown Oakville Heritage Conservation District (DOHCD) Plan identified the current mixture of designs, materials and colours in downtown as visually cluttered. The DOHCD Plan identified the opportunity for a new design of street furnishings, allowing for improvements, so long as it is cohesive, supports the pedestrian environment and does not compete with the historic material of the district.

With Lakeshore Road East (Navy Street to Allan Street) 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.

Downtown Transportation and Streetscape Study (DTS)

The Downtown Plan, launched in December 2013, is comprised of the Downtown Cultural Hub Study (DCH), and the Downtown Transportation and Streetscape Study (DTS).

The DTS was approved by Council in April 2015. This study assessed the current traffic and roadway conditions in downtown Oakville and created recommendations to enhance the roadways, beautify streets, improve pedestrian/cycle ways and revitalize the Towne Square, by introducing design standards as well as increasing connectivity, mobility and accessibility.

The DTS included extensive public consultation in 2014-2015 on the different options for Lakeshore Road, the Streetscape Master Plan as well as a theme (contemporary was selected over traditional and classical) for the site furnishings and finishes.

Staff presented preferred options to Council in March 2015. Council approved the recommendations from the Downtown Transportation and Streetscape study in April 2015. Review the DTS final report (pdf, MB).

In November 2015 Council approved the timing for the Lakeshore Road reconstruction and streetscape project to commence in 2019 and be completed over a two year period. In addition, the Lakeshore Road Bridge over Sixteen Mile Creek will be rehabilitated in 2017

For information regarding the completed DTS study please visit the Downtown Transportation and Streetscape Study project page.

The completed DTS study approved several changes in the downtown including:

News

News release: Town to recommence public consultation on furniture options for downtown Oakville
News release: Council takes steps forward on Lakeshore Road reconstruction projects — November 4, 2015
News release: Lakeshore Road Reconstruction and Streetscape Project sets way for a revitalized downtown — February 24, 2016

Engineering design update

Detailed engineering and design work is the first step to a more usable, beautiful downtown streetscape. The town hired MMM Group to create the detailed design and procurement package for the reconstruction and streetscaping of Lakeshore Road (Navy Street to Allan Street), and Brook Mcllroy, the consultants on the Downtown Transportation and Streetscape Study, who will work with MMM Group to complete the detailed streetscape drawings and finalize street materials and furnishings. The public will be invited to review the streetscape materials and furnishings before final decisions are made.

In preparation for the detailed design, the team will be actively working downtown over the next few months on the following items:

  • Topographic survey of road and boulevard
  • Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) investigation
  • Surface paint markings for utilities in the boulevard and road including survey of location
  • Test hole excavations to locate utilities will be conducted in the boulevard and road using a hydro vac truck
  • Ground Penetrating Radar may be used within the boulevard to locate utilities
  • Video inspection (CCTV) of storm sewers
  • Drilling boreholes along the road for the Geotechnical investigation
  • Tree survey

For more information regarding this project please contact

Paul Allen, P. Eng.
Manager, Design and Construction
Engineering and Construction
905-845-6601, ext. 4424
paul.allen@oakville.ca