SUNDRE – The downtown business community along Highway 27-Main Avenue has certainly felt the impact of Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors’ major $11-plus million overhaul.
Work on the redesign that is effectively giving Sundre’s downtown a huge facelift and will feature permanent mini-roundabouts at 2nd, 3rd, and 4th streets started in earnest earlier this spring.
But construction that began on the Red Deer River bridge earlier this month and was completed this past weekend, reduced travel to one lane of alternating traffic, causing a ripple effect felt by businesses.
“It’s definitely tough right now with the bridge down to one lane, absolutely,” said Cam Bowman, the manager at Freson Bros., located just west of the 4th Street mini-roundabout.
“That’s been the biggest impact for us,” Bowman said on June 18 during an interview.
“But it’s going probably as well as it could go,” he said, adding this has been the third consecutive year involving construction season disruptions.
“So customers and everyone’s used to navigating the detour and it taking a few extra minutes to get around town,” he said.
Bowman also praised the crew contracted to do the work.
“The construction crew this year, PME, has been very good to work with. I really appreciate their weekly updates. They let you know what they’ve completed and what’s coming,” he said.
“There’s been greater communication this year for sure.”
Ravi Vithanage, owner and head chef at Boondox Family Restaurant just off the main corridor immediately after the traffic lights between Centre and First streets north, expressed similar sentiments.
“I don’t know how others are doing, but it’s really slow for us,” said Vithanage.
While February, March and April tend to be slower months, business usually picks up throughout May and into the summer months, he said.
“But this year is completely different,” he said. “We had a good April and somewhat of May, but June is pretty slow.
“After this bridge construction started, it slowed down big time.”
That all being said, Vithanage also added arrangements to accommodate access to businesses were much improved over last year when the municipality carried out its own massive project to overhaul underground infrastructure along Highway 27-Main Avenue.
“It seems like they’re better organized this time ... it’s actually much better,” he said
“Last year, when they started the construction, they were not really organized; they were here and there, everywhere.”
For his part, he said access to his business was severely hampered last year.
“This time, they do have access,” he said. “But ever since they started that bridge construction – the one-way traffic on the bridge – that affected I think everybody.”
Owen Petersen, the manager at the Westview Co-op Liquor Store in Sundre, called the situation a catch-22.
“It is a little disruptive and I think we see a little bit of effect on sales,” Petersen said.
“But I think we’re really excited to get this brand-new road finished and up and all of the good things that are coming from this, we’re looking forward to."
Arrangements from the westbound detour to traffic control assisted by flaggers have been a marked improvement over last year, he said.
“They’ve been good,” he said. “It’s more disruptive this year for this particular business because they’re working so close to the bridge. I just don’t see a way around that, though.
“It is painful in a way, but we have a bottleneck bridge in this town; we do not have two bridges over the river. It’s one, two-lane bridge.”
So given the circumstances, crews have done the best they can, he said.
“I don’t see how they could have done a better job.”
And down the proverbial road, the short-term pain will be worth the long-term gain, he said.
“This is a huge investment in the community,” he said. “It’s wonderful to see the province invest so much in Sundre.”
Chris Vardas, who owns both Original T’s family restaurant as well as Cedar’s Pub, said the impact has been significant.
“But when they did the consult with us, we all knew what it would be,” said Vardas, adding that while one can never fully prepare for such a situation, he nevertheless planned accordingly as best as possible.
On the other hand, the short-term growing pain will be worth the long-term gain and the business community will eventually benefit as a result, he said, adding Sundre is emerging from an outdated look into a more modernized feel.
“We’re coming out of the ’60s and into the new age. That’s the way it is,” he said, going onto praise the contractor’s team.
“I got to say, this crew is moving really quick; a lot faster than I’ve ever seen a crew work,” he said, adding they’re at it almost around the clock and doing their best to direct traffic.
“They’re accommodating us to the best that you can ever possibly do it,” he said, adding the biggest challenge has been the bottleneck over the bridge.
“At the end of the day, I know we’ll get affected but it was one of those things that had to get done,” he said. “It’s a pain, for sure.”
But once all is said and done, Vardas is confident the downtown core will boast a rejuvenated aesthetic appeal that may even prove attractive to new families looking for a growing community to call home.
Bowman, same as everyone else who shared their thoughts, awaits the finished project with bated breath.
“Absolutely – can’t wait. We’re going to have a party down here,” he said.
“Seriously,” he answered laughing when asked if he was being facetious.
“It’s been a long time coming.”
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