Cambridge Times
CAMBRIDGE – Hespeler’s BIA officials won’t wait until fall to celebrate the completion of downtown streetscaping.
According to chair Stefany Kawka, it’s going to be a party after every stage.
“We hope to do a celebration in each section when it’s done, maybe with some bands and tents set up,” she said.
The plan is to keep the focus on Hespeler throughout construction and highlight businesses that will be coping with interruptions during the months ahead.
Although portions of the area will be closed to vehicular traffic at different times, pedestrian access will be maintained throughout.
“We want to make sure people know we’re still open for business,” Kawka stressed.
City commissioner of transportation and public works George Elliott officially kicked off construction yesterday morning (May 14) alongside Mayor Doug Craig and a gaggle of city councillors.
Work will be done in four phases and is already underway on Queen Street West where a temporary watermain has been set up and asphalt has been removed for underground work, including sanitary sewer replacement.
That stretch, between Harvey Street and Guelph Avenue, is expected to take about nine weeks.
Phase two consists of Queen Street East, from Guelph Avenue to Cooper Street, and is expected to take about seven weeks.
The intent is to get the main thoroughfare opened back up as quickly as possible, Elliott said.
Phase three includes Adam Street, from Queen Street to Tannery Street East, and Guelph Avenue, from Queen Street to Milling Road, and is expected to take four weeks total.
The final stage, phase four, is Tannery Street East, from Adam Street to Queen Street, and will take about six weeks.
With the backdrop of heavy machinery and the slogan “We Dig Hespeler”, Craig was quick to point out that council kept its commitment to Hespeler, despite the project cost coming in at more than $6.2 million – $2 million more than budgeted.
“This is an exciting time,” he said.
“Even though we are going to go through the trauma of all this digging, we are going to enjoy it in the end,” said Ward 1 Coun. Donna Reid, a member of the project team.
In addition to the replacement of aging underground infrastructure, the project includes upgrades to sidewalks and landscaping, road resurfacing, new streetlights, benches, trees, bike rings, decorative manhole covers and more.
Kawka said the work will enhance the beauty of the area in the future, but emphasized keeping the spotlight on Hespeler during 2015 is vital.
Some businesses plan to host “dig sales” and other promotions to draw people downtown and are attempting to take advantage of a difficult situation, she said.
A recent meeting with local businesses was attended by members of the Galt BIA who shared experiences with past projects in their area.
“Some businesses got to know others better and there was a positive element that came out of it,” Kawka shared.
Detailed information about detours and parking throughout the construction period can be found online at www.cambridge.ca/wedighespeler.