Construction in front of businesses and homes will be kept to a minimum if proposals to realign Elma Street and to make changes to Veterans Way proceed.
“This is not utility replacement project, is a surface improvement project,” said Okotoks municipal engineer Marley Oness at an information meeting on July 5.
“We do have the luxury of not having to dig big holes… It will be disruptive, but it might only be a 10-day process.”
He stressed vehicle access for businesses along Elma Street would be provided during the construction period.
The Town is proposing placing a three-metre multi-use pathway to be shared by cyclists, skateboarders and pedestrians on the west-side of Veterans Way from Mountain Street to Elizabeth Street — the hill just before the lights on Elizabeth Street.
As well, the narrow sidewalk on the east-side would be widened. The project could also include lining up Elma Street from east to west at Veterans Way (the corner where the RPAC is located).
The project would also narrow Veterans Way for vehicle traffic. The budget of this Phase 1 is estimated at $1.6-million including the retaining wall improvements on the west side of Veterans Way.
The cost of realignment of Elma Street, which is part of the $1.6-million, is estimated at $250,000.
The proposal was put on hold after a June 9 meeting, because the Town felt it did not give sufficient notice to residents who will be affected.
The project is an initiative to create safer and more active transportation in Okotoks, particularly in providing access to the extensive river-path system, as part of the Town’s active participation strategy.
A Town study released in 2015 showed an estimate 440 people use the Veterans Way (formerly Centre Avenue) corridor every day.
The corridor was nearly double any other north-south corridor going downtown.
“Veterans Way access was in the neighbourhood of two to sometimes 10 times more than some of the other corridors we looked at,” said Okotoks planner Colin Gainer (See graph).
There were 10 members of the public, as well as Councillor Carrie Fischer, at the July 5 meeting, many of whom were members of the newly formed Friends Of Elma Street (FOES). Despite the acronym, a release from the group states it wishes to work with the Town.
“Friends of Elma Street, a group of like-minded Okotokians, have organized to work with the Town of Okotoks, business owners and residents to ensure that growth and improvements of the area respects the historical character of Elma Street and its surroundings,” said a release from the group.
Elma Street West resident Wendy Kinsman said she is an avid user of the river pathway system and fully supports active transportation. However, she is concerned about any modifications to the corner of Elma Street and Veterans on the nearby Frederick Pryce Memorial Park, the location of the cenotaph.
“The name speaks for itself — it is a memorial park,” Kinsman said. “To me that should be respected as a cemetery is respected.”
She questioned the realignment of Elma Street East to make it even with Elma Street West as it crosses Veterans Way.
Kinsman said virtually all drivers on Elma either turn north or south on Veterans Way rather than cross to get to the other side of Elma.
Sean Buckley, who lives on Elma Street East near the RPAC, said the removal of about five parking spots between Elma and Elizabeth put further pressure on the historic road.
“Elma Street East and Elma Street West are very different,” Buckley said. “Elma Street East is used by all kind of people going both ways to avoid the lights (at Veterans Way and Elizabeth).”
He said Masons Hall and Sheep River House also puts parking pressure on the street.
“During the day, there are all kind of people who park right outside the RPAC and walk downtown,” he said. “Parking, or lack of, is a big deal, on Elma Street.”
Other concerns expressed residents included the project compromising the historical integrity of the street. There are two registered historic homes with the Province on Elma Street, but additional homes have been identified as part of the Town of Okotoks historic signage program.
Some of the Elma Street residents also said the 10 per cent grade on Veterans Way made it too dangerous for cyclists and skateboarders.
The Town recorded the concerns of those in attendance at the meeting. The residents were also encouraged to write down further suggestions.
The entire project could potentially have the multi-use pathway along Veterans Way going from Milligan Street to South Railway Street.
The other phase is extending the pathway from Mountain Street north to Milligan.
The total cost if all three phases proceed would be approximately $3 million.
The Veterans Way pathway and realignment of the Elma Street corner are on the agenda for Okotoks town council’s July 18 meeting.
