Red Deer drivers can expect safe, smooth sailing down 19 Street once the revitalization project completes in 2023.
Red Deer City Council approved $22.4 million for a project to reconstruct and revitalize 19 Street from Gaetz Avenue to 40 Avenue. The project will include road reconstruction, a new multi-use trail connection, and construction of a new roundabout at 19 Street and 40 Avenue. Construction is slated to begin in 2022, with completion in 2023.
“With the continued growth in southeast Red Deer, the 19 Street corridor has become an increasingly busy roadway,” said Deputy City Manager Tara Lodewyk. “The 19 Street corridor revitalization will improve safety, travel times, and the overall travel experience for both drivers and pedestrians in the area.”
19 Street from Gaetz Avenue to Irwin Avenue will be completely rebuilt, while the addition of a new multi-use trail will connect users between 40 Avenue and 46 Avenue, offering improved access to the local trail network. The addition of a new roundabout will see improved safety at the 19 Street and 40 Avenue intersection, as reduced speeds and fewer points of impact are proven to reduce serious injury collisions.
“The 19 Street and 40 Avenue intersection was identified as having the highest level of injury collisions for the amount of traffic,” said Konrad Dunbar, Engineering Services Manager. “With construction of a new roundabout, we can expect to see major collisions reduced by 50 to 70 per cent at this intersection.”
The roundabout is also expected to improve traffic flow and decrease wait times as has been seen at other roundabouts in the city.
“Both 67 Street roundabouts saw improved traffic flow and decreased wait times,” said Dunbar. “The roundabout at Johnstone Drive saw average wait times decrease from 59 seconds to just 6 seconds.”
In addition to improved safety and traffic flow, The City anticipates a new roundabout will accommodate anticipated increases in traffic flow for years to come. Administration will seek public feedback on roundabouts through a survey to go to the public in the coming weeks.
Drivers with questions or concerns about driving in roundabouts are encouraged to visit the City’s Roundabout education website at www.roundabout.how.
For more information, please contact:
Corporate Communications
The City of Red Deer