Frederick Street: Bruce Street to Victoria Street North

We know it’s been some time since we’ve been in contact. We wanted to reconnect with you to see if you have any feedback, concerns or questions. If you’re curious about the construction work, we’re doing, or what work is happening next, we can answer your questions.

We know the work during a reconstruction project is an inconvenience for you to get to your property. Please let us know if you need more temporary parking passes. We hope your waste is collected on the regular day as normal, and that you’ve been able to place your waste by the curbside by 7 a.m. The contractor should be relocating your waste as required and returning any containers belonging to you in a timely fashion. If there are any issues, please let us know.

The Frederick Street (Bruce Street to Victoria Street North) project started late, but fortunately the construction of stage one from Bruce Street to Ethel Street has been completed other than the multiuse trail, driveways, aprons and landscape works. Temporary measures have been implemented in order to provide safe conditions throughout the winter. The remaining stage one works along with removal and replacement of any of the temporary measures installed will be completed in spring 2025.

We’re happy to meet with you, or discuss by phone, any concerns or questions that you may have. Please do not hesitate to contact the city’s project manager by phone at 519-783-8314 or by email at licinio.costa@kitchener.ca

Sincerely,

Licinio Costa, C.E.T.

Construction Project Manager | Engineering Services | City of Kitchener

J-AAR Civil Infrastructures Limited the contractor is planning to start installing new concrete curb, sidewalk, and driveway ramps starting on November 25th, 2024 and be ongoing until about December 19, 2024 from Bruce Steet to Ethel Street.

This work is part of the Council-approved 2024 Capital Works Program to renew aging city roads, sanitary sewers, storm sewers, watermains, and sidewalk for current and future needs. Please see a map of the work area below. Impacts to property access is expected during surface work construction, please see below for more information.

If you would like to receive updates for this project, please subscribe and you will be added to the email list. Add your email to the Stay Informed box on this page and click 'Subscribe'.

Map of work area

What to expect during surface work construction

Work hours

Work will take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday. Work on weekends may also be required from time to time, but is unlikely, and is pre-approved Saturday and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Driveway access during surface work

The contractor estimates that driveway access will be lost for about 3-5 weeks while concrete curb and gutter, concrete sidewalk, concrete driveway ramps and asphalt road paving is planned to occur. The duration of lost driveway access is due to several factors including:

• time required for crews to complete their work
• time required for concrete to properly cure to reach its proper strength
• subcontractor’s schedule
• other unforeseen factors such as weather

Road and sidewalk access

To complete the work safely, there will be road and sidewalk restrictions within the work zone. Access for emergency vehicles will be maintained at all times. The contractor may construct wood planks/bridges over the newly poured concrete sidewalks at various points along the site to provide pedestrian access to properties.

Driveway access

The contractor will notify you of any temporary restrictions to your driveway access. Due to the nature of the work, driveway access may not be possible at all times.

During reconstruction, temporary parking permits will be issued to displaced residents to allow on-street parking when needed. The permits will list streets for parking options where you can park longer than 3 hours and overnight. The site inspector will hand out the permits. Typically, two permits are handed out per property. If you require additional permits, please reach out to the site inspector.

Permits are to be displayed on the dash of your vehicle. Ensure that your vehicle is parked in permitted areas only and that you do not interfere with any construction operations.

We communicate with the Bylaw Enforcement team to ensure residents displaced by construction are noted, although illegal parking and/or safety related issues will continue to be enforced.

Accessible accommodation

The City's contractor must ensure safe and accessible walkways and entryways are maintained for everyone during construction. Any temporary access disruptions will be communicated as soon as possible. If you experience a disruption, have a specific access need or related accommodation request, contact the person listed below.

Residents who require accommodation (examples: for level entry, longer notice) must contact the Project Manager to arrange for access during construction.

On-site communication

Sometimes, contractors need to communicate with homeowners about what is happening on-site. This could be about driveway access, water shut-offs, pre-construction inspections, and site restoration work (examples: landscaping, installing pavers). The contractor's staff will be identifiable by their high-visibility company branded clothing. If you need to speak with staff on the construction site, please ask for the Site Inspector.

Garbage and recycling

Please have materials placed at curbside before 7 a.m. on your collection day. If required, the contractor will move bins to an appropriate location and return them in reasonable amount of time after collection. Please ensure that you label your bins with your address.

Restoration

The construction work area will be restored with sod, concrete and/or asphalt where required. Interlocking bricks, flagstone on a granular base, or other similar features that are removed from public and private property during construction will be replaced. Further information notice regarding sod will follow once the sod is placed.

Parking

This project will affect on-street parking. Parking in the active work zone is not permitted as space is needed for construction equipment and materials. If your parked vehicle affects construction work, it will be relocated with no charge to the owner.

If you require parking enforcement, please contact 519-741-2345.

Moving in/out and deliveries

Efforts will be made to accommodate properties that have scheduled move-ins / move-outs and deliveries. Please contact the site inspector in advance to advise of any delivery access.

Site Inspector

If you have construction questions or an issue onsite, we ask that you be directed to the site inspector who represents the city onsite. The site inspector is onsite daily and can be identified by the white hardhat they wear with either the city logo or consultant company logo on it.

Tushar Krishnankutty

548-333-6869

tushar.krishnankutty@arcadis.com

If the site inspector is unavailable, please contact the Project Manager listed at the end of this notice.

Need more information?

If you have questions about the upcoming work, please contact us.

Consultant Project Manager

Matt Stone

705-801-5776

matt.stone@arcadis.com

City Project Manager

Licinio Costa

226-749-3034 (TTY:1-866-969-9994)

licinio.costa@kitchener.ca

Engineering General inquiries

519-741-2406

Thank you for your continued patience.

J-AAR Civil Infrastructures Limited was awarded the contract for reconstruction work, which is scheduled to start on/or about September 3, 2024.

This work is part of the Council-approved 2024 Capital Works Program to renew aging city roads, sanitary sewers, storm sewers, watermains, and sidewalk for current and future needs. Please see a map of the work area below.

Property impacts are expected, including planned water shut-offs, excavation pits and limited parking. For the duration of the construction, affected properties will receive water via a temporary water supply system.

If you would like to receive updates for this project, please subscribe and you will be added to the email list. Add your email to the Stay Informed box on this page and click 'Subscribe'.

Map of work area

What to expect during construction

Work hours

Work will take place from 7 a.m.to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday. Work on weekends may also be required from time to time, but is unlikely, and is pre-approved Saturday and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Construction noise

You may experience intermittent noise and vibration during construction (from vacuum trucks, excavators, dump trucks, power generators, air compressors, paving equipment, concrete equipment, and other machinery).

Pre-condition inspection of structures

On heavy construction projects, the City of Kitchener’s standard practice is to offer to inspect any buildings that might be affected by construction activities before construction starts. If residents or tenants experience any concerns with their property during or after construction, the information from the pre-construction inspection will prove very helpful in quickly and accurately resolving any claims, should they arise.

The City-hired contractor may need access to your house or building to complete a pre-condition inspection survey. The pre-condition inspection survey company named DBA Services Inc. will deliver a pre-construction survey request to schedule a time to complete the survey.

The contractor will not show up asking for entry without prior notice. If you have questions or concerns regarding the identity of the contractor or contractor worker, please contact the person by the contact information at the bottom of this notice.

On-site communication

Sometimes, contractors need to communicate with homeowners about what is happening on-site. This could be about driveway access, water shut-offs, pre-construction inspections, and site restoration work (examples: landscaping, installing pavers). The contractor's staff will be identifiable by their high-visibility company branded clothing. If you need to speak with staff on the construction site, please ask for the Site Inspector.

Accessible accommodation

The City's contractor must ensure safe and accessible walkways and entryways are maintained for everyone during construction. Any temporary access disruptions will be communicated as soon as possible. If you experience a disruption, have a specific access need, or a related accommodation request, contact the person listed below.

Residents who require accommodation (examples: for level entry, longer notice) must contact the Project Manager to arrange for access during the construction period.

Water service disruptions

The water to your property will need to be shut off to allow for connection and disconnection to the temporary water supply. The contractor will provide at least 48-hour advance notice for all planned shut-offs.

If you did not receive advance notice and your water was turned off, an emergency water shut-off may have been necessary to complete the work.

Telephone and internet services

For individual properties, this work may affect phone and internet cables that are not buried deep below the sidewalk. The contractor will coordinate with utility companies to minimize disruption. Residents who find their service has been disrupted should notify their phone or internet service provider immediately to start the repair process.

Important information for owners of sprinkler systems, heated driveways, or private landscaping features

Property owners should remove items located within City property limits (boulevard) to avoid damage. This includes items such as landscaping (plants and pavers), decorative objects, sprinkler systems or heated driveways. If you have a sprinkler system or heated driveway, please contact the Project Manager listed below.

Road and sidewalk access

To complete the work safely, there will be road and sidewalk restrictions within the work zone. Access for emergency vehicles will be maintained at all times.

Driveway access

The contractor will notify you of any temporary restrictions to your driveway access. Due to the nature of the work, driveway access may not always be possible.

During reconstruction, temporary parking permits will be issued to displaced residents to allow on-street parking when needed. The permits will list streets for parking options where you can park longer than 3 hours and overnight. The site inspector will hand out the permits. Typically, 2 permits are handed out per property. If you require additional permits, please reach out to the Site Inspector.

Display the permit on your vehicle’s dash. Park your vehicle only in permitted areas and ensure that you do not interfere with any construction operations.

We communicate with the Bylaw Enforcement team to ensure residents displaced by construction are noted, although illegal parking and safety-related issues will continue to be enforced.

Parking

This project will affect on-street parking. Parking in the active work zone is not permitted as space is needed for construction equipment and materials. If your parked vehicle affects construction work, it will be relocated without charge to the owner.

If you require parking enforcement, please contact 519-741-2345.

Traffic management

Efforts have been made to manage traffic in the area for the safety of workers, road users and residents. Road users should expect delays and increased traffic on nearby main and side streets.

GRT Service

Starting on September 3, 2024 there may be impacts to bus routes on Frederick Street between Bruce Street and River Road.

Travel times may be affected. Visit www.grt.ca for accurate schedule information.

Moving in/out and deliveries

Efforts will be made to accommodate properties that have scheduled move-ins / move-outs and deliveries. Please contact the site inspector in advance to advise of any delivery access.

Garbage and recycling

Please have materials placed at curbside before 7 a.m. on your collection day. If required, the contractor will move bins to an appropriate location and return them in reasonable amount of time. Please ensure that you label your bins with your address.

Restoration

The construction work area will be restored with sod, concrete and/or asphalt where required. Interlocking bricks, flagstone on a granular base, or other similar features that are removed from public and private property during construction will be replaced. Further information notice regarding sod will follow once the sod is placed.

Site Inspector

If you have construction questions or an issue onsite, we ask that you contact the site inspector who represents the city onsite. The site inspector is onsite daily and can be identified by the white hardhat they wear with either the city logo or consultant company logo on it.

Tushar Krishnankutty

548-333-6869

tushar.krishnankutty@arcadis.com

If the site inspector is unavailable, please contact the Project Manager listed below.

Need more information?

If you have questions about the upcoming work, please contact us.

Consultant Project Manager

Matt Stone

705-801-5776

matt.stone@arcadis.com

City Project Manager

Licinio Costa

226-749-3034 (TTY:1-866-969-9994)

licinio.costa@kitchener.ca

Engineering General inquiries

519-741-2406

Thank you for your continued patience.

These improvements are scheduled to begin, around, April 22, 2024, with an estimated completion date on or around November 14, 2025. You will be notified closer to the date construction is scheduled to start on your section of the street, as well as how long access to your driveway will be affected.

Guided by the city’s Complete Streets Guidelines (2019), several new features will improve safety for all forms of transportation:

• Wider sidewalks to improve pedestrian safety and comfort
• Addition of cycle tracks, as directed by the city’s Cycling and Trails Master Plan (2021). Cycle tracks are outside of the roadway at the same height as the sidewalk. They are attractive to all ages and abilities, due to the strong separation from motor vehicles.
• Improved bus stop access
• Wider boulevards with new tree plantings
• Narrower pavement widths and other traffic calming measures, including reduction of vehicles lanes to a single lane in each direction with additional turning lanes at intersections to maintain current levels of service for vehicle travel

Here is a conceptual image of the proposed cross-section:

These improvements will upgrade the existing, deteriorated underground services and above-ground surface features, in order to prevent future system failure. The project will be funded through utility user fees and will not result in a direct charge to the homeowner.

How you may be affected

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.

Pedestrian access will be maintained to all properties at all times and vehicular access to all properties within the construction area will be maintained for as long as possible. On-street parking permits, which will allow parking on adjacent side streets, will be hand-delivered to affected homes before vehicular access is cut off.

Before construction starts, an inspection of homes and businesses will be undertaken to determine the condition of buildings in the construction area. The selected consulting firm will contact you directly to arrange for a voluntary inspection of the exterior and interior of your building. This inspection is done to protect the property owner.

You can find more information on how you may be affected by a road reconstruction in the information package.

We want to hear from you

In planning for the upcoming road reconstruction, we would like to hear from you about:

• Any issues you had in the past with sewer backups, flooding, or water pressure.
• What we might need to know about you before we begin construction.
• Your interest in having a private storm drain connection installed.

Help us take your needs into consideration when planning the road reconstruction. Please take a few minutes to answer our Resident/Owner Questionnaire.

During construction, we may be able to install a private storm drain connection to your property for a minimal fee. This connection would accept sump pump discharge and/or localized surface drainage from your property. To learn more and express your interest, answer the Storm Service Survey.