BANFF – Banff council has prioritized its road reconstruction projects for the townsite.
St.-Julien Road remains the top priority on the list, with design in 2021 and construction set for 2022.
Administration will return to council with cost estimates for the 10-year plan during 2021 budget deliberations.
Councillor Corrie DiManno voiced support for the new road reconstruction list.
“I understand that administration has put these forwards based on efficiencies that can be made and other factors, such as utilities,” she said at the Aug. 10 council meeting.
“It is hard to do this without knowing the budget implications of them, but we will see them at capital budget.”
The plan is to keep St.-Julien Road reconstruction in 2022, particularly because this project has already had considerable pre-design work done and has been in the capital plan since 2007.
Most recently, council directed administration to proceed with public engagement on concept design options. In addition, the trails master plan recommends improving the street, which is an important link to the Banff Centre, for pedestrians and cyclists.
Caribou Street, however, which includes beautification and realignment of the Caribou-Lynx streets intersections, has been pushed from 2023 to 2025. The project also includes most of the street to Banff Avenue.
Administration advised that Caribou Street, with its aging deep utilities and significant private and public investment in the area, warrants improvement.
Coun. DiManno said she is disappointed this project is being pushed back, but understands.
“Oh, Caribou Street! So sad,” she said.
Work on the 300 block of Banff Avenue between Elk and Moose streets would be designed in 2027 and built in 2028, and Wolf Street between Bear Street and Banff Avenue, is on the books for design in 2030 and construction 2031.
In addition, the Railway Avenue project has been moved out of the 10-year-plan to 2034 because of the potential for significant change with the train station area redevelopment plan.
