Staff have completed conceptual designs for two road rehabilitation projects in the city's southwest and say a second round of public consultation with residents and businesses will begin this spring.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
The second phase of public engagement consultations on two upcoming road rehabilitation projects will begin this spring as the city seeks feedback from affected community members and businesses.
Members of the development and infrastructure committee heard Thursday that conceptual designs have been completed for future road work on 16th Street SW and Eighth Avenue SW following a year of consultation and the first round of public engagement.
Pat Bohan, managing director of development and infrastructure, told committee members that at this point in the process the city has only developed new road designs and he expressed the importance of gathering more public feedback before moving forward.
“When we bring forward conceptual designs, they’re exactly that, these are just ideas,” said Bohan. “These are not final and used for construction drawings. We take the information and guidance from the RSMP (Roadway System Master Plan) and the MDP (Municipal Development Plan) we take that guidance, and in the future we’ll take it from the TMP (Transportation Master Plan) and the transportation strategies, but right now, we’re taking that guidance and we come up with these plans.”
Bohan encouraged members of the public to engage throughout the upcoming round of consultation.
“The public who might be listening to this, these are concepts, when we go to the public and ask for feedback, it’s on those ideas,” said Bohan. “If you don’t like it, please tell us, we’ll adapt.”
Bohan hinted that the next round of public consultations will surround the upcoming 16th Avenue SW road rehabilitations, and emphasized the importance of hearing from neighbours and businesses.
“Tell us what you like, tell us what you don’t like, and we will do, within the boundaries of safety and guidance from the MDP, we will make those adjustments.”
Although no date was provided during the meeting, Bohan says the city will begin meeting with affected business owners to communicate project details and gather feedback.
The city will also promote the upcoming engagement sessions through a variety of mediums and on its Shape Your City website. Residents living along affected routes will also receive mail about road construction with details on how to provide feedback.
“It’s a multi-faceted communications and promotion strategy to ensure that the public is aware,” said Colleen Graham, director of corporate communications.
