Alexandra Avenue reconstruction

UPDATE: Hello again residents of Alexandra Avenue! I know we are all eager to see the topsoil put down and the sod laid, as are we. We had a delay in obtaining appropriate permits, and as such have to delay the remobilization to site to begin the work. We are currently looking to begin work on the May 24, the Tuesday after the long weekend.

Please continue to reach out to me to coordinate any works you are doing on your lawns so we can lessen your work or waste less topsoil, sod and time on our end.

Thank you, Kyle

Happy 2022, residents of Alexandra Avenue and nearby streets. We know you are all anxious to see last year’s reconstruction project completed and your lawns and walkways cleaned up. As the snow has now left us and the weather begins to warm, we are looking ahead with Oxford Civil Group and their subcontractors to complete the final work required on the project. We are currently estimating to begin this work as soon as May 9 and would expect to take about two weeks to complete the work required. This is all subject to the contractor’s schedule, and weather dependent.

Please reach out to Kyle Bossie with any further questions or concerns you may have. We appreciate your patience through the long winter, and we look forward to finishing up the work and calling the project complete.

The City of Waterloo is working with our contractor to help ensure student and parent safety as the school year begins and construction continues on Alexandra Avenue. Stopping work during the hours that students are entering and leaving school is not always possible, and while workers will be on the lookout for safety, we are asking you to do your part to stay safe.

For those driving students to school, please check the map and use the designated park and walk locations to avoid the construction. Vehicles should not access Alexandra Avenue, and there is no drop-off on Douglas or Empire streets to keep this route free for buses.

For those walking to school, it's always safest to simply avoid the area wherever possible. Crossing the street before getting to the work zone, or even going a block out of your way, can save you from getting muddy shoes -- or something much worse!

If it's not practical to avoid the work zone, then pedestrians need to be alert and careful. It's very important to obey ALL work zone signs, personnel, and markings.

Safety tips for pedestrians in a work zone

• Construction vehicles often move suddenly and quickly. Work zone signs and orange snow fencing will guide you away from danger areas, but you should remain alert for moving construction vehicles and other unexpected hazards. Keep to the sidewalks where they are available, and cross through the construction area only where designated
• Watch where you're going! Construction work may be fascinating to watch, but remember that your first responsibility is to get through the work zone safely. Get through the construction area promptly and carefully, and don’t linger any longer than necessary.
• Consider walking in groups and/or with an adult who can help keep everyone safe and alert when walking near the construction zone.
• Be patient, and give yourself extra time. Work cannot always stop immediately, and you may need to wait until work and/or construction vehicles can be safely stopped to allow you through.
• Keep far away from open excavations and active construction vehicles. If you have to pass near these obstacles, make sure one or more of the construction workers in the area is aware of your presence, and can help escort you safely through the work zone. Don’t assume they know you are there! Wait for eye contact and an acknowledgement that they are aware of your location and intent.

Safety cues to watch for in work zones

• Orange work zone signs -- Communicate to both drivers and pedestrians what is going on and how to travel safely through the work zone. Can indicate that a sidewalk is closed and that a detour must be taken.
• Construction worker acknowledgement – Eye contact and a hand signal or wave acknowledges that they have seen you and recognize your intent to enter their space. They will come to escort you, or indicate with hand signals when it is safe to proceed. If they don’t know you are there, it is more likely that accidents can happen. Make sure they know you are there, and where you need to get to.

Remember, the key to safety is to be alert, careful, and make sure the workers see you!

Summer has arrived, and our construction team is hard at work installing sanitary sewers on Alexandra Avenue. Temporary water systems have been in place since early June and we have two crews working concurrently to keep our production up and work diligently to meet our construction schedule. Access has been maintained, though undoubtedly affected in small ways, so we appreciate your continued patience and support during this construction season.

As we continue through the year, waste management will be something residents and the construction team will need to work together on to ensure complete and timely removal of waste. Please see the Waste Collection During Construction flyer from the Region of Waterloo for tips on green bin, recycling and garbage collection during a road construction project. Tips include:

• Waste is to be placed curbside by 6am on the morning of waste pickup during construction rather than the usual 7am.
• It is extra important to make sure bags are used in place of bins for garbage and that recycling and organic bins are not overflowing. Bins are collected by the construction crews and relocated to a central location, so overflowing bins and loose items can be very challenging to transport and properly have picked up.
• Contractor waste bins are not for public use, so please continue to utilize your normal waste bins and yard waste bags for waste disposal.
• Ensure all bins are very clearly labeled with your street address to ensure your bins are returned at the end of the day.
• Please note and adhere to the prohibited items on the flyer for the safety of our construction crews and waste management teams.

Thanks again for your cooperation – everyone has been great so far and we really appreciate it!

Due to COVID-19 precautions and restrictions, we aren't able to hold an in-person public information session to share the Alexandra Avenue design drawings and construction information. Instead, we have uploaded the same documents and information to this website. Please look through the drawings and understand the changes to happen in your area. Also review the Construction Information Package and provide us with any comments, concerns or special requirements you might have. Construction is scheduled to begin May 31^st, so please let us know as soon as possible if you have questions or concerns. For concerns related to your personal property, it is best to reach out to Kyle Bossie or Ammori Ganem-Mohamed on our project team to discuss.

Please take the time to review our preliminary design presentation material through the video below and provide Comments you may have on the design we have presented.

Please note that the video states the Public Information Centre material will be active until the 27^th. This is an error, and we apologize for the confusion. Please provide your comments by Tuesday, November 24^th as identified in the Waterloo Chronicle advertising and the Public Information Package provided to residents.

The presentation slides and proposed design plans are also available for download from the Project Library section.

This information is also available to download as a pdf in the Project Library section of the project page.

What is the scope of work?

The City of Waterloo is proposing to complete road reconstruction and infrastructure replacement on Alexandra Avenue (Westmount Road South to Lourdes Street) pending Council approval. The scope of the works is as follows:

• Upgrade the existing sanitary sewer, storm sewer and watermain on Alexandra Avenue from Westmount Road South to Lourdes Street
• Replace existing sanitary and water services from the new mains to property line (or to the building if “black pipe” is encountered)
• Utility improvements where warranted by the utility companies
• Curb and gutter, asphalt, and concrete sidewalk replacement on Alexandra Avenue
• Replace all driveway curb returns and ramp entrances on Alexandra Avenue

Why is the City proceeding with this work?

These improvements are being completed to upgrade the existing aging underground services and above-ground surface features to prevent future failures and maintain an acceptable level of service.

Who will be doing the work?

The City will be obtaining prices for the work from interested Contractors, through a public tendering process. It is anticipated that a qualified Contractor will then be awarded the contract subject to obtaining the necessary approvals.

How will the reconstruction affect me?

In order to carry out these improvements, it will be necessary to close this street to through traffic. Prior to any road closure, signs will be posted on the approaching streets advising motorists of the date and the duration of the closure.

During road reconstruction, access to private property may be possible, but it will be at your own risk, as you will be traveling through a construction zone. During times that there is not access to your property, or if you do not wish to travel through the construction zone, alternate arrangements should be made for parking. Overnight parking will be permitted on intersecting streets within one block of the reconstruction but you must abide by all other existing parking restrictions (e.g. don’t block a driveway, don’t park too close to a fire hydrant, don’t park where parking is prohibited). The Contractor will provide notice as to when access to your property will be limited, and these times will be minimized as much as possible.

Pedestrian Access

Pedestrian access to all buildings will be maintained at all times, although periodic disruptions may occur for short durations. The construction contract for this project will be written to include a requirement of the Contractor to provide a level, gravel walking surface for pedestrians and to provide intermittent pedestrian crossings of the roadway. Please notify the City of any special needs you may have regarding access to your property.

Temporary construction fencing will be provided, whenever possible, to separate the activities of workers, equipment and construction vehicles from that of the public. These fences are to protect the public from the work by creating a visible barrier from the construction activity. Members of the public are asked to report any observed vandalism or accidental impacts on construction fencing to City representatives, to ensure that the proper delineation of the work area is provided for the safety of all.

Deliveries

Deliveries may be impacted by the work. All owners are asked to communicate any specific delivery needs to City representatives, whether regular or special deliveries, in order to coordinate the safe and efficient delivery of goods.

Will sanitary sewer and water services be interrupted?

Sewer and water service will be maintained throughout the duration of construction. However, short interruptions can be expected, particularly when the services to individual properties are transferred from existing mains to the new mains. In the majority of cases, interruptions will be limited to a few hours and will occur during normal working hours. Advance notification will be provided where possible prior to any planned service interruption. During watermain reconstruction a temporary above ground watermain may be installed. Each property will be connected from the temporary main to an outside water tap. Access onto your property will be required to provide the temporary connection.

Can I upgrade my existing sanitary and water services?

All water service laterals for single families will be replaced with 25 mm diameter polyethylene pipe from the watermain to property line and all sanitary service laterals will be replaced with 100 mm diameter PVC pipe from the sewer main to property line.

Any property owner wishing to have new (additional) or larger sized services must make written application to the City of Waterloo for review and approval. Any new or upgrade service will be at the expense of the property owner making the request. Should you require a new or upgraded service, please contact Mr. Kyle Bossie at 519-886-1550 ext. 78256 so that your requirements can be incorporated as part of the construction.

Please note that the service installed would be to the property line only. Any work on private property would be the responsibility of the property owner who must obtain a permit under the Plumbing Code from the City’s Building Department.

What if my house has a bituminous fibre pipe (i.e. black pipe) sanitary service?

As per City of Waterloo By-Law 2013-114, Section 8, Paragraph 8.6, “Where bituminous fibre pipe has been installed by the City and pipe failures occur, the City shall be liable for the costs of replacing as much of the bituminous fibre pipe where appropriate, considering the circumstances. Reinstatement of existing lawns, driveways, and walks will be undertaken by the City to the condition before the replacement. Trees or shrubs lost during the reconstruction will be replaced to a standard deemed appropriate by the City.”

In general terms, bituminous fibre pipe (aka black pipe) services will be replaced up to the face of the building. This may require access into the homes during construction to understand the connection to the internal plumbing and how best to replace or repair the existing black pipe service.

The City has flagged a number of such services along the length of the project area. If you are aware that your sanitary service is black pipe, please contact the project team to ensure we account for this replacement during design.

How will disruptions be minimized?

One issue of critical importance to the City of Waterloo is to have the work completed while minimizing disruption to the neighbourhood. Road reconstruction and underground servicing is disruptive and at times will create noise and vibration due to compaction and a potential for dust. To address these disruptions, water and calcium chloride are used for dust control and construction activity is limited to daylight hours after 7:00 a.m.

Are there any changes proposed to the existing streetscape?

Yes. The complete roadway within the project limits will be reconstructed. The width of the existing asphalt surface will be narrowed in an effort to provide traffic calming. The road width at the intersections is narrowed from approximately 9.0m to 6.0m. Parking will available on the south side of Alexandra only from Westmount Road South to Lourdes Street. The intersections of Melbourne Crescent and Empire Street will be raised, acting as speed humps and concrete barrier curb and gutter will replace the existing asphalt curbs. To improve walkability the sidewalks will be widened from 1.5 m to 2.0 m.

Surface features existing on City property

On some reconstruction projects we find that residents have constructed gardens, shrubs, hedges, retaining walls and fences within the City road allowance. This is usually not a problem unless the existing services are below that particular feature, or if there is a grade change or if the roadway changes. In this case you will be asked to relocate the garden, hedge, etc. onto your property prior to construction taking place. Similar features within the Daylight Visibility Triangle obstructing the vision of a motor vehicle driver or cyclist approaching the intersection will be relocated or removed as a part of this project to maintain safety for users of the street.

When reconstructing the road, it may be necessary to cut back some driveways to match the new grade or accommodate upgrading the underground services. If this is the case the driveway will be saw-cut and a patch placed using the same material if possible. Impressed or coloured concrete driveways will be a challenge to be replaced to match the original, which is also the case with paving stone driveways (unless the owner has a supply of matching stones that the contractor could use). The property owner has the option of retaining their own contractor to complete the driveway patch after the construction is complete and the City will cover the costs contingent on review of the costs proposed.

In-ground sprinkler system

If you have a sprinkler system installed along the edge of the roadway within the City’s road allowance, please remove the piping prior to construction as the contractor will not be responsible for damage and the City will not replace it. You may have it reinstalled on private property after construction is completed if you wish.

Will blue box, green bin and garbage collection be affected?

Blue box, green bin and garbage collection will be maintained throughout the duration of construction. When access is restricted by construction operations, the construction crew will place the blue boxes and refuse containers at a location accessible by the collection service on collection days. To minimize problems during construction, it would be appreciated if all refuse is bagged – Yard Waste in paper bags, Household Garbage in plastic bags. Please ensure that your address is clearly marked on containers / blue boxes.

Tree Protection

Where healthy trees are identified they will be protected throughout construction. Any tree identified as being unsafe will be removed. Trees showing significant decline, identified as being of poor quality and trees that are in major conflict with proposed work will be identified as potential removals. Specifications have been developed to minimize the amount of damage to trees during the work. This includes tunneling under trees, supplementary watering and restrictions on the amount of restoration work that occurs around trees.

Site Office

A site office trailer will be established within, or adjacent to, the work area as space and available facilities permit. The site office will be a place of contact between the public and project personnel and will also be used for construction progress meetings with the Contractor. COVID-19 health and safety restrictions will be maintained at all times, and alternate arrangements may be made as required. These details will be confirmed closer to the construction commencement date.

Hours of Work

Construction activity will generally be between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., except on Sundays and Statutory Holidays, when construction is prohibited. Normally, road reconstruction projects are undertaken during the week from Monday to Friday. During the later stages of construction, or as needed, it may be required that the Contractor work on Saturdays within the regular working hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. in order to meet the scheduled date of completion.

How can I voice my comments?

The City of Waterloo realizes that reconstruction will cause inconvenience to the residents and businesses in the area and requests your cooperation and patience throughout its duration. We encourage you to either complete the Comments section on this page, or to contact the project team directly with any concerns or questions. In addition to your comments, other information we would like to receive from residents or businesses are your special needs, e.g. for disabled persons, water or sewer service improvements and/or driveway modifications. This written record will assist the City to address all the issues related to the above noted works.

Thank you to all who responded to the resident questionnaire. We received a high number of responses, and we appreciate everyone taking the time to provide their feedback. To update you on our progress, the engineering team has issued to the City their initial draft of the 30% design. They have now begun to prepare the information that will be posted here in lieu of a conventional in-person Public Information Session. We are still on target to provide this presentation material in November, so please subscribe to this page to keep updated. We will also advertise the posting of the information in the Chronicle, so keep your eyes out for that advertisement as well.

Residents who will be directly impacted by this project (those with properties directly on or next to the project area on Alexandra Avenue) should have received a project notice and questionnaire. Residents are reminded and encouraged to fill out the provided questionnaire before September 30^th so we can incorporate your feedback in the beginning stages of design. If you need another copy or have any questions relating to the form, please send the City’s Project Manager an email at Kyle.Bossie@waterloo.ca

Thanks for your interest in the Alexandra Avenue reconstruction project! To make sure you get all our project updates, please use the Subscribe button in the Stay Informed section. We look forward to hearing from you!