The plan to overhaul 50th Street north of the Sherwood Park Freeway will alleviate traffic tie–ups but getting through the construction phase may create some major headaches for local businesses.
At least one entrepreneur is worried that work to improve traffic flow in the area, including widening the street between 76th and 90th Avenues, may hurt his business.
Hardeep Baraich owns a handful of stores on 76th Avenue and told CBC News Tuesday that he got a letter this week from the city saying the main entrance to his parking lot may be closed during construction.
“I’m in the retail business, my livelihood is on that,” he said. “I don’t know how I’m going to survive.”
The plan would leave 76th Avenue — a much less busy street — as the only way to access his shops.
We had a customer yesterday, she waited 30 minutes in behind that train.– International Beauty Services employee
The city has started to contact businesses that may be affected by the construction, a spokesperson said in an email Tuesday.
The design for the project is not finalized and it is unknown whether it will be an overpass or underpass, the city added.
The federal government announced Tuesday it will contribute $39.8 million to complete the project, with $28.3 million coming from the Alberta government and $19.4 million from the city.
The news was welcomed by many motorists and business owners.
Tim Halabi, owner of the Newcastle Pub and Grill at 81st Avenue and 50th Street, said traffic delays from the train keep some customers away during lunch.
The owner of the Newcastle Pub and Grill on 81st Avenue at 50th Street says customers avoid his pub during lunch because they get stuck in traffic. (Newcastle Pub and Grill)
He is pleased with the city’s plans to build an overpass or underpass and widen the street.
“It’ll help us a lot.”
His bartender, Al Yaghi, also praised the commitment to building an overpass or underpass.
“We need it,” he said. “We need it done ASAP.”
Halabi recognized that the problem isn’t going to be fixed right away.
“It’s going to be rough for the first year or so while they’re doing the construction ’cause there’s going to be re-routing and people avoiding the area,” he said. “But I think once the overpass is in, it’s going to be fantastic for us.”
Debbie Pegg works at International Beauty Services, a beauty salon supplier on 82nd Avenue and hears all about how the train crossing near 50th Street causes major traffic back–ups.
International Beauty Services staff say customers get stuck in long traffic delays, sometimes up to 30 minutes. (CBC)
Pegg has worked at the service shop for more than 20 years.
“They should have done that a long time ago,” she said of the overpass. “The customers would absolutely love it because then they’re not constantly waiting.”
The city plans to host a public information session from 5 to 8 p.m. on June 26 at King’s University to share details of the project.